Dulwich Prep Cranbrook New Headship and Name for 2023

The Governors of Dulwich Prep Cranbrook are delighted to confirm an exciting new chapter for the school, which will see the appointment of Mrs Sophie Bradshaw as Head of School from the start of the 2023-24 academic year.

This news follows the recent announcement of the school’s expansion to GCSE, which will see Dulwich Prep Cranbrook (Nursery to Year 8) become The Dulwich School Cranbrook (Nursery to Year 11), from September 2023. Having played a crucial role in establishing plans for the school’s extension to 16+, Headmaster Paul David will continue to progress these plans through to launch, before stepping down from Headship at the end of this academic year.

Paul David said: ‘After what will have been thirteen happy and fulfilling years at Dulwich Prep Cranbrook, now feels the right time to hand over the reins to a new Head, to take the school forward. Having been supported by an extraordinary staff community, a superb leadership team and a knowledgeable Board of Governors, I feel immensely proud to be handing over a school in great heart, with an exciting future ahead.’

From September 2023, there will also be a restructuring of the school in line with its expansion into the senior years. Years 1 to 6 will form Dulwich Prep and the Governors are extremely pleased to announce that Mrs Clare Mackie (currently Head of Years 1 to 4) will be Head of Dulwich Prep. Nursery and Reception will remain under the leadership of Mrs Johanna Scanlon.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Sophie Bradshaw would be joining Dulwich in January 2023, having been appointed Head of Dulwich Senior School. Year 7 will become the main point of entry into the Senior School.

Susanna Rynehart, Chair of Governors commented, ‘Together we are The Dulwich School Cranbrook – one school with one vision and ethos. One school needs one overarching Head and we are thrilled to confirm that Sophie Bradshaw will also become our new Head of School when Paul leaves us at the end of the Summer Term. When we started the recruitment process for the Head of Senior School, it was with Paul’s successor in mind; Paul having indicated that he might retire in the near future. We were inspired by Sophie’s warmth, energy, ideas, leadership-style and future-facing outlook and we are confident that she is the right person to lead Dulwich at this exciting time in our evolution.’

Sophie Bradshaw is currently Deputy Head of Croydon High School, an independent school for girls aged 3 – 18 years. Prior to that, she was Head of the Junior School (age 4 – 11 years).

Sophie Bradshaw said: ‘I am honoured to be given the opportunity to oversee, harness and promote such a special school at an extraordinary time in its development. To have the unique opportunity to work alongside Paul to finalise the School’s GCSE offer before launching The Dulwich School Cranbrook in September 2023 puts us in an incredibly strong position. I am very excited to work with the entire Dulwich community, to collectively realise the School’s aspirations for the future.’

See Dulwich Prep Cranbrook’s online listing here.