Best Schools - Gloucester Rugby contracts for Dean Close trio

Dean Close is delighted to announce that three Upper Sixth boys have signed their first professional rugby contracts with Gloucester Rugby Club. Archie Benson (1st XV captain), Josh Gray and George Barton (vice-captain) are all looking forward to life as full time sportsmen later this year, having just completed their A levels. All three boys also represented England’s U18s in the Six Nations tournament over the Easter break.

This news continues the trend over the last five years of Dean Close leavers going into professional rugby such as Tom Seabrook, Lloyd Evans and Ed Bogue who all signed for Gloucester Rugby Club, as well as Tiff Eden who initially started at Worcester Warriors before moving to Bristol Bears.

Director of Sport, Greg Baber-Williams, said: “The School is exceptionally proud of Archie, Josh and George and wishes them all the very best of luck as they prepare for life as full time rugby players. It is great to see that all their hard work and personal sacrifice has concluded with full time professional contracts, which was the primary goal alongside their academic studies. The bar has certainly been set very high in recent years. With such positive role-models in the School it is no wonder that aspirations in the junior years are high.”

New Head Announced for Maltman's Green School

The Governors of Maltman’s Green are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Jill Walker as Headmistress from September 2020. She succeeds the current Head, Mrs Joanna Pardon, who will be retiring next summer after 15 very successful years.

Mrs Walker is currently the Head at St Nicholas Prep School in South Kensington. Whilst there she has built up pupil numbers, seen the school through a very successful inspection, and is preparing them for a move to new and larger premises. She has a special interest and passion for girls’ education having been Deputy Head at Glendower Prep, a top all girls school in London, she has a master’s degree in Education and is an experienced ISI Inspector.

Mrs Walker has had a hugely varied and interesting career having started life as a nurse with experiences as far ranging as community nursing in South West London to being a director of health clinics in Kenya, where after having been a house parent for girl boarders, she decided on a change of career on her return to the UK. Jill has three children, the youngest about to start university, and her husband, Ben, is Headmaster of a leading boys’ prep school in Hertfordshire.

Mrs Pardon will continue to lead the school for the next academic year with her customary dedication and drive, and will work closely with Mrs Walker to ensure a smooth handover. There will be many opportunities to mark Mrs Pardon’s remarkable achievements throughout the next school year.