New headteacher appointed to Stroud School

The Governors of King Edward VI School Southampton has announced Rebecca Lyons-Smith has been appointed as the new Head of Stroud School, Romsey, commencing in September 2020.

Rebecca has more than 20 years’ experience in education; she has worked in independent prep schools for the last 12 years but has also taught internationally and in the state sector.

Rebecca is an Independent Schools Inspectorate inspector and a governor at a primary school.

Rebecca is currently the Headmistress at St Swithun’s Prep school, Winchester, but knows the King Edward’s family well, having previously held the positions of Head of English and Deputy Head at Stroud.

She said: "I am thrilled to be joining the team at Stroud and King Edward’s.

"I will bring to the role a real passion for developing a culture of high performance within the incredibly warm family environment that makes the school so special."

Rebecca lives in the New Forest with her husband Trevor, a consultant in gastroenterology and intestinal failure at Southampton General Hospital, and her step-sons, Will and Sam.

Alan Morgan, Chair of Governors said: “We are really happy that Rebecca will be re-joining us, as this gives us the opportunity to build seamlessly on the excellent foundations which Joel Worrall and his team have laid down over the last four years.

"She will benefit from our considerable investment in the facilities at the School, including a new six-classroom Key Stage 2 building which will be completed in time for her arrival.

"We are sure that Rebecca is the right person to lead the next exciting phase of our development."

Caryn Musker, Chair of the Stroud Governors’ committee added: “We look forward to welcoming Rebecca as the new Head of this wonderful school.

"Her detailed knowledge and understanding of the history and culture of Stroud, together with Stroud’s increasingly close links with the senior school, will ensure that we continue to be the Prep School of choice in our catchment area."