The Headmaster reflects on a busy and successful Summer term

The Headmaster reflects on a busy and successful Summer term...

I am often asked by prospective parents to sum up a King’s education in a few words. This is obviously not easy, but I reply by saying that we combine quality and opportunity in a relatively small-sized school, whilst ensuring that the girls and boys thrive within a strong community. Quality, opportunity, and community have all been evident across this very busy and successful term. I won’t give a list of all that has happened this term, inside and outside the classroom, but the quality and opportunity on offer is self-evident across our social media and inside The Dolphin, our excellent school magazine. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff in so many different areas of school life, and I am so grateful to be Headmaster of a school where the teaching and support staff work so well together and give so much for the pupils.

This term has seen the opening of The Sir Peter Squire Pavilion, and we now have high-quality catering and changing facilities on Hyde to match our excellent sports pitches. I was delighted that Sir Peter’s widow, Carolyn, and the Squire family could be with us to officially open the Pavilion. Chris Squire, Sir Peter’s son and an Old Brutonian, and I gave short speeches in Sir Peter’s memory. The Harrier GR3 weathervane on top of the Pavilion, will always be a reminder of Sir Peter’s stellar RAF career. Sir Peter gave so much to King’s in so many different ways and I am proud that we have created a fitting building in his memory.

This will be a busy summer for our Estates team as we work on the Priory Housemistress accommodation for Mrs Kingstone and her family. The Priory girls gave Emily Simper a wonderful farewell tea party, with many previous Heads of House returning to say a few words, and I am delighted that Emily will be joining the Senior Management Team in September as Deputy Head Pastoral. Work has already started to create a new, larger Health Centre on the first two floors of the north wing in Old House, and the current Health Centre will be converted to a domestic rental property. The former Bruton School for Girls (BSG) site is now up for sale, although Sunny Hill Nursery will remain open. The sale is being managed by Knight Frank and all proceeds of the sale will support the aims of the BSG charity by supporting the education in Bruton of girls of school age, and of boys aged up to 8 years old.

Finally, I wish all our exam pupils the very best for their results in August, I wish our U6^th Form leavers an exciting and prosperous future, and I wish all the King’s community a wonderful summer holiday.

Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster