New head appointed at The Maynard School

The Maynard School in Exeter is delighted to announce that Miss Sarah Dunn, currently the Deputy Head at Plymouth College, has been appointed as the new Headmistress from September 2016.

“The appointment of Miss Dunn to the role was a unanimous decision taken after a rigorous and searching interview process following applications from a number of very strong candidates,” said Lady Stanhope, the Chair of Governors for the Maynard School.

Following her undergraduate studies at the University of Exeter and her Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Oxford, Miss Dunn began her career as a Biology teacher at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School in 1986. During her tenure there she worked her way up the ranks to become the Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Head of Careers and a member of the senior academic leadership team.

In 1995, Miss Dunn was appointed Deputy Head of Plymouth College where she has been instrumental in times of exciting, radical and successful transformation.

“My first challenge as Deputy Head was to introduce girls to the school throughout all year groups. As Plymouth College had been a boys’ school for 110 years, and only had three female members of staff on my arrival, turning this supertanker around was no easy task!” said Miss Dunn.

“My education philosophy is straightforward: Maynard girls should continue to receive the very best in terms of teaching, in a happy, caring environment, with a wealth of opportunities to discover and develop their talents. I care deeply for both the students and the staff and have always had a collaborative approach to all that I do, leading by example from the front and maintaining the highest expectations of myself and others.

“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be the next Headmistress at such a prestigious school as The Maynard. It is such an excellent school, full of vibrancy, opportunities and a love of learning. It really does live up to the motto: Imagine, Aspire, Achieve. 

“I was so wonderfully impressed with the warmth and positivity of the girls and staff during my interviews and am looking forward to joining the Maynard family. It is an exciting journey ahead and I will be working closely with Ms Hughes over the next couple of terms to ensure a seamless transition.”

Lady Stanhope paid tribute to Ms Hughes as an “outstanding headmistress” saying she had built on the success of her predecessors and had taken the School to a new level, most recently being voted the ‘Teacher of the Year’ at the Pride of Exeter Awards in recognition of these successes.

“The Governors and members of the selection panel are confident that Sarah Dunn will maintain this momentum and continue the tradition of constant improvement whilst safeguarding the unique culture and ethos of the Maynard School,” Lady Stanhope added.