Education

New Head of Early Years joins Embley

Embley is delighted to introduce its new Head of Early Years, Harriet Povey, who is a hugely talented and experienced Early Years specialist and a qualified teacher

Harriet joins the team at an exciting time, as plans are in full swing for a new outdoor learning and play facility that will see spaces for adventurous climbing, role play, running water play, woodland campsite features and vegetable patches, encouraging more free flow learning between inside and outside the classroom. This complements the school’s 130 acre playground which includes parkland and woodland that the children regularly explore and develop a love for nature.

Sheina Wright, Head of Embley Prep, commented: “We’re delighted to have Harriet as part of our growing team and leading our Early Years Department. She exuded positivity and enthusiasm. Early Years is her world and she has exciting ideas and plans.”

Harriet said: “I’m really excited to be joining Embley. I am a big believer of learning through play, following the children’s interests to extend their learning and the importance of outdoor education. We have trips planned to the local library, country parks and gardens to help bring our learning to life. We are also introducing weekly investigation lessons, outdoor ‘Forest School’ sessions and Makaton to our timetable which already includes specialised teaching in PE, Music and French.”

She joins Embley from Bright Horizons in Romsey where she was the Nursery Manager and lead practitioner for the group. Harriet has recently qualified as an Ofsted inspector.

Harriet’s favourite children’s book is ‘Giraffe’s Can’t Dance’ by Giles Andreae because it shows you can do anything if you put your mind to it, and her favourite children’s programme is Fireman Sam, because we like role models that help us.

Adam King, Headmaster Elect at Prince’s Mead School

The Governors are delighted to welcome Adam King as the Headmaster of Prince’s Mead School from September 2022.

In September 2021, it was announced that Peter Thacker was stepping down to become Headmaster of Bishopsgate School after 4 years of outstanding leadership at Prince’s Mead.

After 13 years of Headship at Thorngrove School, Highbury, Adam is relocating to Winchester to lead this vibrant and adventurous Prep School & Nursery. He was previously House Master at Giggleswick School in the Yorkshire Dales and St Faith’s School in Cambridge.

In 2004, he took up the post of Deputy Head at Thorngrove and was appointed as its Head, five years later. He has been Headmaster at Thorngrove School, in Highclere, ever since. As well his day job, he is also a Compliance and Educational Quality Inspector for ISI, on the Academic Committee for the Independent Schools Examinations Board and the Secretary of the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools District 10 Committee. He finds these additional roles interesting, fulfilling and enjoyable and feels that in many ways they support his role as a Head by giving him fresh ideas and challenging him to be the best person (and Head) that he can be.

In his spare time, Adam enjoys running (he has run a couple of London marathons and a few half-marathons), walking and cooking. Although his playing days are over, he supports Bath Rugby Club and enjoys watching them at the Recreation Round in Bath. Adam loves the theatre, whether it’s regional or West End and also enjoys going to the ballet at Covent Garden and Sadler’s Wells.

Adam and his family are very much looking forward to moving down to Winchester and making the most of living in such a beautiful city, as well as the surrounding countryside. We are delighted to have made an exceptional appointment for our new Head at Prince’s Mead School.

Adam extends a warm welcome to every new family that will be joining Prince’s Mead in the coming year.

Prince’s Mead is a thriving independent preparatory day school for 300 boys and girls set in a beautiful site in Winchester, Hampshire. The school is a forward-thinking yet traditional school with a strong family ethos and an excellent reputation. Housed in an impressive Grade II Georgian building, with spectacular panoramic views over the Itchen Valley, the School offers an imaginative, allround education.