Sarah Catchpole

South Lee Prep School in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk has appointed Sarah Catchpole as its head of school, Yahoo! News has reported.

Established in 1961, South Lee Prep School & Nursery caters to children aged from three months to 13.

Catchpole has worked at the school for more than 18 years in roles including acting head, deputy head and designated safeguarding lead. She studied in Norwich for her degree and PGCE and recently passed her headship national professional qualification. She is also an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

Catchpole said: “I was thrilled to be offered the headship of South Lee Prep School. I have been here for many years, and I know what an amazing school it is.

“I always say to parents on tours that South Lee Prep is a happy school. It is a warm and vibrant place with lots of fantastic learning on offer for the children.

“In particular, I am really excited about the STEM curriculum which demonstrates that the school is providing the most up-to-date, high-quality and innovative teaching and learning necessary for today’s fast paced world.”

She added she is “continuing to work hard to ensure academic excellence” and promoting the arts, music, sport and the wellbeing of pupils.

“What is so wonderful about South Lee Prep is the fact that the children are still able to be children. There is a spontaneity of kindness and a generosity of spirit amongst the children at South Lee. Such things only grow so well in the care of such amazing teachers and all the support staff who work at the school.

“There is a sense of belonging among the staff and an attachment to the children that is abundantly evident when you see them interact with the children.

“I am hugely privileged to be offered this position, and I am eager to continue our relationships with local state schools and the wider community.”