The governors of the St Edmund’s School Trust are delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Sinclair as Headteacher of St Hilary’s School, Godalming with effect from 1st September. The appointment follows a thorough and competitive recruitment and selection process during which Mr Sinclair set out a clear vision for the school and demonstrated a passion for the qualities intrinsic to a St Hilary’s education. At interview, Mr Sinclair displayed an impressive commitment to inclusive practice and the importance of valuing each child as a unique individual with their own interests, strengths and particular learning styles and needs.
Mr Sinclair is a highly experienced leader and this will be his third independent school headship. For the past seven years he has been the Principal at Somerhill in Kent, a coeducational prep school for some 600 pupils, and before that was the Headmaster of Taunton Preparatory School, and Senior Master and Housemaster at St Michael’s School in Kent. Educated at the University of Cape Town where he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Environmental Science and a Higher Diploma in Education, Mr Sinclair also has a UK-based Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management. He is currently the Chair of the Heads’ Group of the Pre Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) and a member of the Strategy Committee of the Learning Skills Trust (LST).
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Sinclair said:
"I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead St Hilary’s through the coming years. It is a great school with a proud past and a fine sense of tradition, yet with a modern outlook to education that nurtures the students and helps them to create themselves in the best possible way. During the interview process and visits, I was struck by the warmth of the school community and the very evident sense of care and ambition amongst the pupils, staff and governors.”
Mrs Jackie Alliss, Chair of the St Edmund’s School Trust, commented:
“We are delighted to have appointed Duncan Sinclair who joins St Hilary’s at an exciting time in its history. Mr Sinclair has an engaging presence and a warm, infectious personality which I know will endear him to pupils, parents and staff. He has a strong track record in pursuing excellence for pupils and will build on St Hilary’s strong academic, pastoral, and extra-curricular provision. My thanks also go to the outgoing Headteacher, Mrs Jane Whittingham, and we look forward to celebrating her exemplary leadership and contribution over the past twelve years at next term’s end of year Awards Ceremony.”