Families at Kingswood Prep School can look forward to a smooth transition in leadership after the school announced that Deputy Head Helen Worrall will become Head from September 2027.
Helen will succeed Mark Brearey, who is retiring after 16 years leading the school, and brings with her eight years of experience at Kingswood Prep, where she has become a familiar face to pupils, parents and staff.
Currently Deputy Head, Helen oversees the day-to-day running of the school, including pastoral care, safeguarding, teaching and learning. She has worked closely with Mark Brearey to help shape the school’s development and says she is excited to build on its strong foundations.
Andrew Gordon-Brown, Headmaster and Principal of the Kingswood Foundation, said, “The appointment attracted an exceptionally strong field of candidates, including many experienced serving Heads. Throughout a highly competitive recruitment process, Helen consistently stood out as the outstanding candidate, earning the unanimous support of the interview panel.”
Helen said the school’s greatest strength is its close-knit community. “The sense of community here is incredibly strong; every child and family is known and valued. Happiness, kindness and warm relationships are central to the school and you feel this from the moment you walk through the door.”
She believes Kingswood Prep combines academic ambition with a nurturing environment where children can discover their passions without unnecessary pressure.
“We are ambitious and have high expectations; children are learning all the time, often without even realising it, and our staff create the most wonderful environment for learning,” she said.
Looking ahead to her new role, Helen wants to ensure the school continues to evolve while protecting the qualities that families value most.
“I feel hugely honoured to have the opportunity to lead a school that I already know and care so much about,” she said.
She plans to keep excellent pastoral care at the heart of the school while preparing pupils for an ever-changing world by developing skills including creativity, collaboration, communication, curiosity and critical thinking.
Helen is also passionate about learning beyond the classroom, with outdoor education, the arts, community engagement and real-life experiences all playing an important role in helping children develop confidence, resilience and character.
Kingswood welcomes children from nine months through to 18 years, allowing many pupils to benefit from a continuous educational journey. Helen believes this long-term approach enables staff to understand every child as an individual and provide the right balance of support and challenge throughout their education.
When asked what she hopes pupils will take with them as they move on to senior school, Helen’s answer was simple. “Above all, I hope they leave happy,” she said. “I’d love every child to have confidence without pretentiousness, alongside kindness, compassion and empathy for others.”
For families considering Kingswood Prep, Helen encourages them to experience the school in person.
“I’d always say come and see it for yourself, because the feeling you get when you walk around the school really says it all,” she said. “It’s a place where children are known, supported and encouraged to flourish in every sense.”
With more than a year before she officially takes up the role, families can look forward to a carefully planned handover that builds on the school’s strong reputation while looking confidently towards the future.
