New head of junior school

After a thorough and intensive recruitment process that drew over forty applications from many extremely high quality candidates, we are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Head of St Edmund’s Junior School from September 2020.

Mr Andrew De Silva joins us from Fair Oak Junior School in Hampshire, where he has been the Head Teacher since September 2016. Andrew started his teaching career in Peterborough, and progressed rapidly to his first Deputy Headship at Southfields Junior School.  He took Southfields to the final of the BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition. Having also helped Southfields secure an “Outstanding” judgement by OFSTED, Andrew moved to Hampshire to take up his current role at Fair Oak and to become the Bass Lay Clerk in the choir at Winchester Cathedral.

Educational development is extremely important to Andrew and he has led Fair Oak most impressively since his appointment. He is currently studying for an MSc in Educational Leadership, having successfully gained his NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) a number of years ago. Canterbury is a familiar setting for Andrew. He read education at Christ Church University, where he sang in the Chapel choir as well as singing occasionally with the Cathedral Choir in Canterbury.  Prior to this, Andrew was educated at The King’s School, Peterborough where he boarded as a Chorister and later as Head Chorister.

Andrew will be moving back to Kent with his wife, Nicola, and son, David, who will be joining the pre-prep in year 2.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr De Silva said:

“I am delighted to be the next Head of The Junior School at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury. Having been a student in Canterbury, I understand the educational landscape and bring with me much relevant leadership experience. Having said that, I am keen to continue to learn from all stakeholders at the school; during my recent visit, I was amazed at the overwhelming sense of pastoral care and it was a delight to meet parents, staff, governors and children – all of whom spoke passionately about the school. I feel hugely privileged to be joining the St Edmund’s School family and am so excited to be your new Head of Junior School. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible before I start in the Michaelmas term.”

Head of St Edmund’s School, Mr Edward O’Connor said:

“Andrew is an outstanding head with a proven track record in educational leadership.  His personal values and education ethos mirror those of our school and I am absolutely delighted that he will be joining us.  I would also like to thank the staff, parents, pupils and governors who participated in the recruitment process and providing invaluable feedback that informed our eventual decision.”