Matthew Bennett, an experienced Head of History, joins King Edward’s Witley to take up a similar role.
Mr Bennett is the former Head of department at Eastbourne College and Rydal Penrhos (both of which are HMC co-educational independent boarding schools) and has been teaching History for seven years.
His entry into the teaching profession followed a period of running his own business and also working in the pharmaceutical industry after successfully gaining a 2:1 from Liverpool University.
An avid sportsman, Mr Bennett played rugby with Sale Sharks as well as cricket for Glamorgan. Other sporting interests include cycling, skiing and golf. Mr Bennett completed a swim across the Straits of Gibraltar followed by a cycle ride back to the UK in aid of The Prostate Cancer charity, prior to embarking on a career in teaching.
The move to Surrey to take up the position with King Edward’s Witley represents an opportunity for Mr Bennett to combine his passion for sport with teaching History, as the role also incorporates some sports tuition.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Bennett says, “King Edward’s enjoys a stunning location and the fact that the entire campus is on one site is a definite advantage, encouraging a friendly and integrated learning environment. I was particularly impressed by the School’s natural ability to establish a pupil population that spans a range of cultures, backgrounds and nationalities, with every child benefiting from the opportunity to be part of such a varied and ultimately international community. Pupils leave King Edward’s as grounded, balanced young adults with the confidence to effectively communicate and empathise with a broad range of individuals, which provides a distinct advantage in the workplace.”
Mr Bennett will be living on site at King Edward’s with his wife Anne and their two children Jess and Emma, in addition to two cats and Jack, the Jack Russell. Both daughters will be joining King Edward’s’ partner Prep School, Barrow Hills.