The new leadership structure of the School has involved the creation of the post of Head of Senior School, which Mr David Sansom will be taking on in September. He will work very closely with the whole School Headmaster, Mr Thomas; the Bursar, Mr Fowle; and the Head of the Prep School, Mr Scholey, as the School enters the next stage of its development.

How long have you been at Sutton Valence and what do you currently do?

I’ve been at Sutton Valence for 17 years, where I am currently Deputy Head Staff & Student Development. My role has involved oversight of certain academic, pastoral and co-curricular areas of school life, which has been hugely enjoyable and enabled me to understand all aspects of our special and unique school. Whether via monitoring progress of the GCSE years, working with academic Heads of Department or Housemasters/mistresses, developing our trainee and Early Career Teachers or overseeing our co-curricular provision in areas such as CCF, Duke of Edinburgh or Volunteering, I have been blessed to work with such talented colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure our school achieves superb outcomes for our pupils. I also teach Geography at GCSE and A Level, coach the U14 boys’ rugby and I am an Officer in the Army Section of the CCF.

What was your path to becoming Head of Senior School?

Having initially forged a career in the corporate world of marketing for many years with an international hotel chain and then managing accounts for the likes of Nectar, American Express and Whitbread, I decided to pursue a long-held itch to become teacher. It did not take long to realise it was the best decision I ever made – a belief I still hold to this day. Working with young people is the most rewarding job I have ever done. Through working in the maintained and independent sectors, I’ve held various pastoral and whole-school roles ranging from Head of Year, Assistant Boarding Housemaster, Head of Juniors, Assistant Head and currently, Deputy Head. I am really looking forward to working with the Headmaster, the Bursar and the Head of the Prep School as we drive the school forwards.

What other experiences in education have helped in your career to date?

I am a Governor at another HMC all-through school, where I sit on the Full Board and Chair the Education Committee, as well as being an Inspector for ISI. I’ve also recently completed a MEd in Educational Leadership and Management. To have these opportunities is hugely insightful and valuable in understanding the independent school landscape and help inform how we shape our provision to remain competitive.

What makes Sutton Valence special?

Luckily, not just one thing. It’s a very special place, where the strength of community, care, support, breadth of opportunities, excellent academics and education of the whole person means pupils are inspired and encouraged to surpass their expectations of what they might achieve. I’m always delighted when current parents, pupils, Old Suttonians or visitors talk so enthusiastically about our community. SVS is a special community and you really can feel it. It is warm, friendly, inclusive and welcoming – when that runs through all parts of school life it means pupils are happy, safe and confident to make the most of the opportunities on offer and realise (or exceed) their potential. I also love that we celebrate individuals – whether Physics, Sport, Music, Drama, CCF or Art are your passion, or all of these, SV is a community where your unique talents are valued and individuals thrive. Ultimately, it is the pupils who make it such a special and worthwhile community to be part of.

What three words would your family and friends use to describe you?

Tough…I’ve never asked but have now and apparently generous, warm and determined sprang to mind!

Where are your favourite places to think and relax and what do you do there?

In short, hills and water. My wife is Canadian and we are fortunate to have a base in Ontario with no mobile or TV signal on a lake, which is my annual haven for relaxation across a few weeks each summer. Closer to home, I’m a competitive sailor who enjoys racing off the North Kent Coast. The Geographer in me can also never resist getting outdoors and walking the coast or hills – Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, Lake District or Yorkshire Dales are favourites. Once I have exhausted myself, you can then find me reading endless books, following sport, playing guitar, furthering my encyclopaedic knowledge of Bob Dylan or currently teaching myself the piano.

What’s the most surprising thing about you that people might not know?

I rubbed shoulders with a member of the Royal Family at school.