Mrs. Samantha Price

FROM CRANLEIGH SCHOOL, SURREY

In this episode of Education Corner Podcast, we welcomed Mrs. Samantha Price, the new Head of Cranleigh School in Surrey. Having taken up her role in August 2024, Samantha is the first female head in Cranleigh’s nearly 160-year history. In this conversation, she shared her vision for Cranleigh and how she plans to build upon its strong heritage.

Mrs. Samantha Price’s path to Cranleigh School was shaped by a career in education that began when she was 26. Initially working in marketing at the Tate Gallery, after graduating from university, she always felt an “itch to be a teacher,” knowing that “eventually that was going to end up being her calling.” After pursuing a PGCE, Samantha’s first teaching position was at an all-boys’ day school in Reading, which she described as: “[...] a fantastic school, great experience!” From there, she moved to King’s Canterbury, a co-educational boarding school, and then held leadership roles at Hereford Cathedral School, Godolphin School and Benenden School, where she was Head for a decade. Samantha reflected: “In all of the schools I’ve worked in, I have just loved working with teenagers: boys and girls.”

I knew that it was where I wanted to be.” she stated. The opportunity to shape Cranleigh’s next chapter excites her and she is keen to draw on her experience to make a positive impact.

A central theme in Samantha’s vision for Cranleigh is the school’s deeply embedded sense of community. She highlighted how this is encouraged by the fact that: “All of the teaching staff live on site.” creating a cohesive environment for both boarders and day students.

“Our ethos, therefore, is very much around a combination of community and individual,” Samantha explained, noting that Cranleigh, with 700 pupils in the Senior School, is both “big enough that we can do everything to a very high standard” and “small enough that our pupils are really well known.”

Her decision to take on the headship at Cranleigh was driven by a desire to return to a co-educational setting and to lead a school with a strong sense of community. “When I met the staff, the pupils and the governors [at Cranleigh],

She has been particularly impressed by the way older students look out for and mentor younger ones, especially in the boarding houses. The “Upper-Sixth students have been helping younger students […] with their homework,” she told us, adding that this “collective spirit of support” is “quite rare” in many schools today. For Samantha, this community-driven environment is key to helping students find their “thing” - the passions and talents that define their experience at Cranleigh and thereafter.

Looking ahead, Samantha is focused on preparing Cranleigh pupils for the world beyond school. She is a strong advocate for aligning

Introducing Mrs. Samantha Price

the curriculum with the future workplace skills identified by the World Economic Forum, such as collaboration, communication, flexibility, leadership and problem solving. “What are they looking for in 2030?” she asked. “Individuals who are independent, but really collaborative. Individuals who have got excellent communication skills, and are able to lead, able to work hard, but able to be really flexible as well.”

Samantha plans to introduce a cross-curricular Diploma for Year 7, 8 and 9 students that emphasises independent work, problem-solving and practical opportunities. Cranleigh is also developing: “A professional skills programme for our Sixth Formers, really helping them to identify those skills they need for the workplace.” This is a programme which will include the chance for students to start their own businesses and learn about “[...] all of the challenges, but also the exciting opportunities” that come along with the modern workplace.

Cranleigh’s curriculum is designed to strike a balance between academic rigour and life skills. Samantha stresses the importance of ensuring that everything students do - both inside and outside the classroom - contributes to the development of key skills. Whether it’s participating in drama, music, sports or Model United Nations, she believes that these experiences are essential for developing confidence, leadership and determination: “We need to make sure that within our timetable and the shape of our day, we provide that balance for students to be able to thoroughly engage with those areas of wider interest.”

Samantha is also keen to ensure that students have “down time” to manage stress, an essential part of maintaining a healthy balance. She acknowledges that some stress is necessary to build resilience and “perform better”, but emphasises the importance of managing it in a way which supports students’ wellbeing. The school gives students: “The opportunity to have plenty of exposure to bite-sized pressure throughout the week” to build up “a cumulative resilience” that is important to harness before taking public exams, while also offering fun and social activities - such as House Dance Competitions and shared meals - that play a big part in creating a memorable and enjoyable school experience.

Cranleigh’s 160-year history is a significant part of its identity, and Samantha is committed to preserving the school’s heritage while ensuring that it remains: “[...] forward-looking. In a world which does require agility and flexibility, it’s really important for students to understand the importance of tradition,” she felt.

Cranleigh’s international connections are also an important aspect of its ethos. The school has partnerships with international sister schools in Abu Dhabi and China, which offer students unique opportunities for global networking and potential work experience. Samantha is excited about expanding these connections further, helping Cranleigh pupils to develop an “international outlook” that is “central to success”.

Equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) are central to Cranleigh’s culture. The Cranleigh Diversity Alliance, established in 2021, plays a key role in fostering an inclusive environment. “The main area of focus is to make sure that every single individual within our community feels comfortable to be themselves and knows that they have their voice.” Samantha commented.

The Alliance leads assemblies, organises events like Black History Month within the school and gathers feedback from students on how to further improve inclusion. “EDI is live, it’s responsive.” Samantha explained: “I’d never sit here and say we can’t do things better because we always can do things better, and for us, this is something that will remain an absolute priority.”

Samantha is clear that technology, particularly AI, should not be feared or buried, but rather embraced as a tool for enhancing education: “We have to make sure that the relationship that students develop with technology is one that is well-informed.” In a modern world, Samantha said: technology is “embedded in everything that we do”, and at Cranleigh, AI - particularly ChatGPT - is used to help students to save time and improve efficiency. However, the school makes sure to educate young people “to recognise what plagiarism looks like” and about responsible use, a “journey” into understanding technology that “will continue.”

Looking to the future, Samantha sees technology becoming increasingly integrated into education, although she makes sure to point out that AI cannot replace human creativity and problemsolving. “What AI still is not able to do is to be able to completely problem-solve. It doesn’t have the capacity for creativity,” she asserted; highlighting the importance of maintaining a focus on developing these uniquely human skills in students.

Navigating the teenage years has always been challenging, but Samantha believes that the pressures of social media have altered these difficulties. “Young people have always wanted to fit in with their peers. I don’t think peer conformity is actually greater, I think the difference now is the fact that access to quite toxic role models is much more immediate and there’s far more of it.” she observed.

At Cranleigh, educating students about the risks of social media and promoting positive role models is a priority. The school restricts phone use during the day, encouraging students to build healthy habits around technology that they will take with them into later life. However, Samantha emphasised that the most important aspect of managing social media’s influence is “education” and fostering open dialogue, both within the school and in partnership with parents.

As she settles into her new role, Samantha is already looking ahead to Cranleigh’s future. In the summer of 2025, the school: “[...] are going public with their strategic plan for the next phase of Cranleigh’s development.” Samantha suggested that this will include changes to the “curriculum”, as well as “expanding our international footprint,” improving the “Sixth Form experience” and “facility development.” www.cranleigh.org

One area Samantha is particularly excited about is the Performing Arts, which she feels deserves greater recognition alongside Cranleigh’s strong sporting reputation, hinting at the fact that plans for a new “wonderful Performing Arts facility” are already in motion.

With Samantha at the helm, Cranleigh is poised for an exciting future, blending its rich heritage with a forward-thinking approach to education.

We would like to thank Mrs. Samantha Price, Head of Cranleigh School, for giving up her time to speak to us.