Mr Simon Weale has started as the new Headmaster of Shebbear College. Mr Weale, an Oxford History graduate, 
replaces Bob Barnes who has retired after ten years distinguished service as Head.
Mr Weale has been married to his wife Rebecca for twenty years and has three children aged 16, 12 and 1. He joins the College after gaining a wide range of experiences in a number of well-known independent and maintained schools including the Judd School, Tonbridge, Latymer Upper School, and Reigate Grammar School.
Most recently Mr Weale was Deputy Headmaster of Brentwood School in Essex.
Mr Weale said ‘I am thrilled and honoured to begin my appointment at Shebbear.
The College rightly has an excellent reputation as a warm-hearted community which genuinely looks after the individual needs of each student. It was very noticeable when I first visited the College how confident and friendly the students are.
Our girls and boys are privileged in the opportunities they get to challenge themselves both inside and outside the classroom and it is no coincidence that Old Shebbearians make such a positive impact on society.
Students come to Shebbear from all over the world because of the educational experience that we offer and I am committed to taking the College from strength to strength in the years ahead.
I am delighted that my own children are going to be able to come to school here ’
Mr Weale is a historian by training and in each school he has been responsible for initiatives that have helped to develop the curriculum and raise academic standards.
He is also a keen sportsman having played cricket for Oxford University and has been captain of Teddington CC, one of the strongest clubs in the South East. He played rugby for London Cornish RFC and hockey for the London Schools Hockey Association.
Mr Weale said ‘Shebbear offers a huge variety of extra-curricular activities to its students and these are vital for testing and developing qualities such as team work, resilience and leadership. I have always seen it as a key part of my work to be involved in life outside the class as well as in it and Shebbear’s extra-curricular programme will continue to be a match for anyone’.