New Headmistress of Exeter Junior School announced

Exeter School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk as Head of Exeter Junior School with effect from 1 September 2019.

Since September 2014, Mrs van Schalkwyk has been Deputy Head of The Granville School in Sevenoaks, Kent. She has previously worked in co-educational schools in both the maintained and independent sectors.

Her current responsibilities have prepared her admirably for her new role. These include her work as Designated Safeguarding Lead, her marketing experience and regular liaison with senior schools. She is also a trained ISI independent schools’ inspector. Her interests include umpiring netball, running and cycling. Mrs van Schalkwyk is married to a teacher and has two children.

Mrs van Schalkwyk will take over a very successful school which continues to achieve very high standards of pastoral care, academic progress and extra-curricular activity. She will be able to build upon the excellent achievements of the school under Mrs Marks’ leadership.

Chairman of Governors Andrew King paid tribute to current Headmistress Mrs Marks who retires at the end of the school year.

“Sue’s involvement in all elements of school life is remarkable and despite the pressures of the day job, she embraces the extra-curricular ethos of the school wholeheartedly and with unfailing good humour. Sue’s successor has family roots in Devon, so speaks the language, and we look forward to welcoming her back here in September. Saskia inherits a happy and thriving school, and governors are confident that she will meet the challenges of her new post with enthusiasm and a smile.”

Mrs van Schalkwyk said she was delighted to be joining Exeter Junior School in September.

“It will be a privilege to have the opportunity to build upon the strong foundations that Mrs Sue Marks has laid down,” she said.

“I am very much looking forward to joining the team and to playing a key role in shaping the future of this wonderful school."