Taunton School appoints musician and sports enthusiast as new assistant head

TAUNTON School has appointed experienced teacher and accomplished musician Sarah Leck as its new Pastoral Assistant Head.

Sarah has a wealth of experience; she is currently Head of Lower School at Reigate Grammar in Surrey and was Head of Year and Assistant Head of School at the same school. She will draw on these experiences to provide exceptional pastoral care at Taunton School.

Sarah is an accomplished musician, achieving an eighth grade on both violin and piano. She has also represented the University of Cambridge rugby team, coached hockey, netball and athletics in schools across the country and chaired the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award at Trinity School in Croydon.

Before starting her teaching career, Sarah read English at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Sarah said: “I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic, vibrant and global school as Taunton School.

“I look forward to further developing the excellent practice in PSHE already evident in the school and supporting the provision of comprehensive and caring pastoral care already in place.

“Through this, my English teaching and my involvement in sport, I am excited to get to know the students and parents at the school and am keen to take advantage of the wide opportunities available as part of life at Taunton School.”

Taunton School is one of the South West’s leading independent co-ed day and boarding schools for children aged 0-18.

Comprehensive pastoral care and safeguarding of pupils is something Taunton School prides itself on, aiming to know each child personally so that appropriate and effective care can be provided in a timely manner.

It has a house system designed to make the school feel like a ‘home away from home’, encouraging the older years to look after and lead the younger ones. The home system gives children a sense of unity, identity and belonging.

The school also has masters and teachers who work closely with both the safeguarding team and the health center to ensure that outstanding physical and mental provision is made to support all children at every stage of their development.

The health center is staffed by a range of professionals including eight qualified nurses, one registered nurse, three midwives, two mental health nurses, a licensed physiotherapist and a qualified counsellor. The team is overseen by Emily Kate, a pediatric nurse with extensive school experience.

The school also has a chapel which provides a safe and welcoming space in the heart of the school for students to take time out and sit quietly or pray and reflect.

Sarah will work closely with other members of the pastoral team at Taunton School to continue the level of support that students and parents have become accustomed to.

Find out more about Taunton School’s pastoral care and safeguarding assurance by visiting https://www.tauntonschool.co.uk/senior-sixth-form/senior-pastoral-and-wellbeing/.