Getting to Know...The New Head of Sherborne Boys
I ’ve now been in the post of Head at Sherborne Boys for six months, and it’s been a wonderful start. I feel settled, I’ve had the chance to meet all the boys, and I already feel at home in these beautiful surroundings. I make a point of having breakfast, lunch and supper with the boys every day, always sitting with different pupils – it’s the highlight of my day.
Starting in the summer term was a stroke of luck: the glorious weather, walking through the Courts each morning and seeing the buildings positively glowing in the sunlight, the full calendar of summer music and sport – it really was the perfect introduction to Sherborne. From the very beginning, I’ve been struck by the boys’ kindness. At the start of the new academic year, I asked them to look out for one another – to approach someone on their own, introduce themselves, start a conversation.
A few days later, I was having lunch with a group of boys who had to leave before I’d finished eating. I was left on my own, but almost immediately, two other boys moved over to join me and started chatting. That small gesture said a lot about their decency. The location was a huge attraction when I applied for the role. My parents have lived in the area for years, so I was already a huge fan of Dorset. I love the outdoors, so the job appealed immediately, but I also felt the school had huge potential to continue to grow and flourish. Sherborne itself is unique: the school is rooted in a vibrant market town yet surrounded by stunning countryside – it’s the best of both worlds. The Abbey is also an important part of what makes Sherborne special, and the school’s Christian ethos means we have a deep connection with it.
I was also drawn to the unique relationship between Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls. The two schools, each with its own strong identity and traditions, also share a wealth of opportunities to collaborate. Music, drama, debating, sport, community projects and social events all bring the boys and girls together. For me, this is one of Sherborne’s greatest strengths – our pupils gain the focus and support of a single-sex education while also experiencing the wider benefits of a co-educational community. A career in teaching certainly wasn’t always the plan. Both my parents were teachers – my father was a Head – but I resisted it for a long time! I dabbled briefly with the military and then competed as a professional biathlete and cross-country skier for a number of years. But when I met my wife, Isabel, my priorities shifted, and I gave in to the pull of teaching.
I grew up in a boarding house, and now I’m raising my own family in an amazing school community – it’s a fantastic way of life, surrounded by pupils, staff and the wider school family. We’re all loving life here. We’re fortunate to live in town and be part of the local community. Isabel is getting to know people, and we’re both really looking forward to deepening our roots here. If you see either of us around Sherborne, please do come and say hello. What I enjoy most about my role is the interaction with the boys, along with the sheer variety – no two hours are the same. I also enjoy meeting parents and prospective families, and I always make sure I meet every family who visits. Choosing a senior school is such an important decision, and I want them to feel confident that they are joining the right community.
My vision for Sherborne Boys is to deliver a truly transformative education – a holistic, forward looking model that shapes not only high-achieving learners but grounded, confident and compassionate young men. For me, it’s about balance: combining strong academic endeavour with the development of character, confidence and kindness. I want the boys to leave here not only with excellent results from their own individual pathway but with the skills and self belief to find their place in the world and to make a positive difference. Sustainability is also very close to my heart. I’d like Sherborne Boys to play its part in making our school, our community and our region greener, cleaner and more biodiverse. Sherborne has a proud history, and my focus is on ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come.
November 2025
"I want the boys to leave here not only with excellent results from their own individual pathway but with the skills and self belief to find their place in the world and to make a positive difference"
