By Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan's Schools
Change, Community, and Confidence for the future.
The end of term is almost upon us, with many older pupils contemplating their last ever days at their school (bar those all-important A Level exams!). This is especially poignant for me this year, as I am also having my last day at school as Principal of Dame Allan’s, before heading south for a new headship opportunity closer to family.
When I took up the post of Principal at Dame Allan’s in 2020, I could not have anticipated the events that would unfold. The impacts of a global pandemic, significant societal and economic disruption, war in Europe, and tax policy changes hitting independent schools have all shaped the context in which we have worked.
Yet it is not those external pressures that define my reflections. What stands out far more clearly is how the Dame Allan’s community has responded to them. Schools are, at their core, people places, and everything we do is built on the quality of relationships between pupils, staff, parents and governors.
Across my time here, we have worked diligently to strengthen the Schools in ways that benefit our pupils’ education. There has been clear progress in academic achievement alongside sustained development of pastoral care and the wider experience of pupils. Our co-curricular provision has continued to expand in both breadth and quality, reflecting our belief that learning must extend well beyond the classroom.
We see this in everyday participation as well as those moments of collective achievement, not least the 1st XV reaching the Schools’ Rugby Will Scott National Vase Final at Twickenham, and our Girls’ U-14 Netball team competing in their national finals in Sheffield.
Change has impacted a lot of my time at Dame Allan’s, from COVID-19, to the development of our state-of-the art Jubilee Building and refurbished Sixth Form, to the move to co education for this coming September.
I have been very lucky to see the Schools develop in all sorts of ways over the last few years, including the introduction of the Combined Cadet Force – and the resulting visit from the Lord Lieutenant, at which our pupils made us very proud – the introduction of The Snug and The Cosy Snug at our Senior and Junior Schools, championing pastoral care and pupil mental health, our success in several Sunday Times’ Parent Power Awards, the introduction of rowing at the Schools in the form of the Dame Allan’s Boat Club, and last year, our best ever GCSE results in over 20 years.
It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life to serve as Principal of Dame Allan’s. I am proud of what has been achieved collectively over this period, not only in terms of measurable outcomes but also in the strength of the culture that underpins them.
As I step away at the end of this academic year, I do so with confidence in the future of the Schools. The incoming Principal, Mr Neil Seaton, brings a wealth of experience to the Schools, and I have no doubt that the Schools will continue to develop and flourish in the years ahead under his leadership.
For my part, I leave with a strong sense of gratitude and fond memories of my time here. It has been a privilege to play a part in the life of the Schools and in the education of the many young people who pass through them. I look forward to watching from afar as the School continues to flourish.
Find out more about Dame Allan’s Schools by visiting their website www.dameallans. co.uk or contact the Head of Admissions on 0191 275 0608