Elaine Purves, the Head of Suffolk’s largest all-girl independent school, Ipswich High School for Girls, is to succeed Dr Stephen Winkley when he retires as Headmaster of Lancashire’s Rossall School in summer 2013. Ms Purves, 45, who became head of the Ipswich school in 2006, will be the first female Head of Rossall in the School’s 168-year history.
A former Head of Boarding and Deputy Head of the Royal High School, Bath, Elaine Purves brings a wealth of experience to the Rossall hot seat and leaves Ipswich High School having taken it to new levels of academic achievement, whilst also raising pupil numbers and the School’s profile significantly during her years at the helm. A linguist (fluent in German), she attended Hull and Durham universities before joining the teaching profession at Oakham School. She is married, with two children, and already has strong family connections in the North West. Commenting on the appointment, Steve James, Chairman of the Council of Governors of Rossall School said: “Elaine was the outstanding candidate in a very strong field and she was the unanimous choice of the Council. Her drive, enthusiasm, charm and professionalism mark her out as a worthy successor to Stephen Winkley, who has done so much to reposition Rossall as one of the great independent schools of the North of England. Dr Winkley’s are big shoes to fill, but Elaine is an exciting choice, with the dynamism to take us forward, and we look with confidence to the School’s continued momentum and success under her stewardship.”
Elaine Purves is relishing the opportunity to lead a school with such a rich history. She commented: “I’m truly thrilled by my appointment and accept fully the challenge of leading Rossall School at an important time of educational change and opportunity. I’m committed to educational excellence and I want to create a bright and exciting future for Rossall; one that is fitting for a school with such a rich heritage.”
Outgoing Head, Stephen Winkley will be retiring for the second and final time in 2013. The former head of Uppingham School came out of retirement in 2008 to take the reins at Rossall and during this time he has managed to restore the fortunes of the coastal co-educational boarding and day school, overseeing a period during which its financial position has strengthened greatly, pupil numbers are at the highest level for over a decade and investment in new campus facilities has risen to around £4Million.