Introducing Antony Spencer, who will be taking up his post as Principal of St Lawrence College in April 2013.
Antony is currently Academic Deputy Head at Clifton College in Bristol which, like SLC, is a co-educational day and boarding school for 3-18 year olds with a healthy mix of UK and international pupils.
Prior to this he was Director of Studies at Denstone College in Staffordshire.
41-year old Antony met his wife, Suzanne (also a teacher), at Oxford where he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).
However, unlike many of his Oxford contemporaries, the world of Westminster politics was not his goal and, having turned down an offer at Sandhurst, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, working at the Ernst and Young Reading office. He feels that this background in business brings an added insight to the role of Principal.
So why teaching? "The desire for teaching was always there", says Antony, "reinforced after a spell of voluntary teaching at my former boys' grammar school in Derbyshire."
Antony started his teaching career at Eastbourne College on the south coast. As well as teaching Economics and Business Studies, Antony is also a keen hockey player, coach and umpire.
Antony and Suzanne's four children; Ben, 14, Kathryn, 13, Joseph, 12 and Daniel, 8, will all be joining St Lawrence. A big change ahead for the whole family; how do you think they will adapt?
"They will obviously be sad to say goodbye to their friends, but they are also excited about what SLC has to offer. Our first impressions of the school are very positive – it has great facilities and a unique ethos with a close community."
"Although we are not familiar with the local area, we are looking forward to being by the sea. We enjoy walking and I am sure that Suzanne, a keen runner, will enjoy running along the scenic coastline. The rest of my family are keen to get a dog, so perhaps this may be an ideal opportunity!"
With obvious enthusiasm, Antony says that he is looking forward to the challenge of leading a very good school and helping the school to make an impact on the local area. His focus for his first term will be getting to know the school and the pupils, with an emphasis on "listening".
"I'd agree wholeheartedly with the Inspectors that St Lawrence College is an excellent school, but it also has enormous potential for the future."
With the departure of the current Headmaster at Christmas, the school is delighted to have secured the appointment of Mike Bolton as Acting Principal for next term, during the interim period before Antony Spencer takes up his position in April.
Mike is currently Acting Head at Sevenoaks School. His many years' experience there includes the roles of Boarding Housemaster, Head of Sixth Form, Registrar, Pastoral Deputy Head and Senior Deputy Head. Mike teaches History and this passion also extends into his spare time as he takes a keen interest in local history.
With an MBE for 'Services to Education', he has devoted his whole life to teaching. It seems only right, therefore, that he is married to Maggie, who is Head Teacher of a secondary school! They have a grown-up son and daughter.
Having seen Sevenoaks flourish and establish its academic reputation, Mike is relishing the prospect of a new project. "It is a privilege to stand in at such an exciting time for the school." And what will his focus be for next term? "To work with staff to ensure that everything is in place for the new Principal."