King Edward’s Witley have delighted to announce the appointment of a new Head and Principal of Bridewell Royal Hospital, effective from September 2019.
Mrs Joanna Wright will take over the leadership of the school from the current Headmaster, Mr John Attwater. Mr Attwater will become Principal of King’s Ely following a near decade of distinguished service to King Edward’s and the school’s charitable foundation, Bridewell Royal Hospital.
Joanna is currently deputy head at St Peter’s School, York. Prior to this ,she was deputy principal pastoral at Queenswood School in Hertfordshire, a housemistress at St Edward’s, Oxford and assistant director of the Stahl Theatre at Oundle School. She has been a pupil and teacher in both independent and state sectors.
A graduate in French with Theatre Studies from the University of Warwick, Mrs Wright gained her PGCE at the University of Reading and has since taught for over 25 years.
She is excited by the prospect of joining King Edward’s, who are deeply committed to delivering an excellent educational experience as well as equipping pupils for their future. The school transforms pupils’ lives through its bespoke pastoral care and academic pursuit as well as its unique bursary support.
Mrs Wright said: “I feel privileged to take over the stewardship of King Edward’s, working with a dedicated team to fulfil the school’s future aspirations and ambitions – and ultimately carving out the next chapter of its illustrious history. I will continue to build on John Attwater’s successful work in steering the school to preserve its ethos, values and the founding principles originally defined at the time of its inception in 1553. The school is committed to ensuring that all day and boarding pupils enjoy an excellent education by creating a coherent, connected community with opportunity and inclusivity at its core; this aligns deeply with my own values.”
Mrs Justine Voisin, treasurer and chair of the selection committee, said: “In Joanna we wholeheartedly believe that we have found an educator and leader who will continue to develop King Edward’s as a school and brand and will enhance the foundations and values on which we are built. We look forward to welcoming her and her husband Graham to the school.”