Emma Károlyi

St George’s School Windsor Castle has appointed Emma Károlyi as the school’s new head, effective from September next year.

St George’s is a co-educational independent preparatory school in Windsor, educating more 300 boys and girls aged three to 13.

Outgoing head William Goldsmith is moving to a headship position at Packwood Haugh School in Shropshire. He has led St George’s since 2019 and overseen its transformation into the first standalone prep school in the UK to be authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Károlyi has more than 30 years’ education experience and is currently head of Junior King’s School in Canterbury. Before that, she spent eight years as deputy head and director of studies (academic) at Loretto Junior School in East Lothian, following a varied career in which she became a published author of educational resources, as well as gaining extensive classroom experience in the UK and abroad.

Károlyi has a master’s degree in classical studies and ancient history from the University of St Andrews and is a musician, playing the viola, currently as a member of The King’s Orchestra.

St George’s chair of governors Ian Canning said: “Emma shone through from an exceptionally talented field of applicants for the passion she demonstrated for our pioneering International Baccalaureate curriculum, her genuine warmth and kindness and above all else, her like-minded desire to strive for the very best outcomes for our students. We look forward to Emma and her family getting to know our staff, students and the wider St George’s community over the months ahead.”

Károlyi will move to St George’s next summer with her husband, Julian, who is currently a modern foreign languages teacher and head of university admissions at The King’s School.

Károlyi said: “It will be an honour to lead this wonderful and unique gem of a school, deeply steeped in history, heritage and music, and yet so forward-thinking and inclusive in its educational approach. The school’s success is founded on its excellence; a truly exciting, holistic and enriching education which enables every child to develop their individual skills and talents, from the earliest stages upwards, to become critical thinkers, compassionate global citizens and real world-ready.

“The ethos and ambitions of St George’s align so well with my own values and vision for education. On my visits to the school I have been deeply struck by the warmth and kindness that abounds. The children demonstrate a real love of learning and of their school and embody the values of honesty, kindness and courage with genuine pride. I am equally impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff. I greatly look forward to building on William Goldsmith’s inspiring legacy and getting to know the entire St George’s community.”