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Talking Heads: Mrs Connor-Earl of St Mary’s Hampstead

on Jan 25, 2017

Mrs Connor-Earl has been the Headmistress of St Mary’s School, an independent Catholic school in Hampstead, since Sept 2016. She was previously Director of Studies and Head of Prep Boarding at Ardingly College Prep School, Sussex. What drew you to St Mary’s School? When I decided I was ready for headship and started looking at schools, I realised very quickly that I wanted to be at a Catholic school because I believe they have a very unique ethos and my faith is very important to me. I say to parents that choosing a school is like choosing a house; you just get that feeling. The moment I walked in the door here, I just knew. There was an overwhelming sense that this was the right school. What has been your priority since you arrived? In my first term, I was able to teach and get to know all the children in the school. St Mary’s School is a very kind and happy place. For me though, that...

Talking Heads: King Alfred’s Robert Lobatto

on Dec 6, 2016

Robert Lobatto has been the Headmaster of King Alfred School, a progressive, child-centred, co-ed school in Golders Green, since Sept. 2015. He spent a large chunk of his career turning around struggling schools in the state sector. Tell us more about your background. I spent 25 years in the state system as a history teacher, head of humanities, deputy head and then executive head. I really enjoyed my career in the tough end of London schools: I always did well with Ofsted and managed to turn several schools around. In the last few years, however, I got very disillusioned with the state system and its disproportionate focus with progress data. The pressure meant decisions were starting to be driven by what was best for the school as opposed to what was best for the individual child. It wasn’t education as I understood it. I was mulling what to do outside of education when the King...