As we move toward the amalgamation of our two senior schools into a single, coeducational school
from September 2025, we have undertaken a review and restructuring of the senior staff who will lead
the new institution.

Senior Leadership Team Structure

Our objective in doing this is to align the leadership structure with our strategic goals, which has led
to the creation of some new responsibilities and the enhancement of existing ones. In appointing staff
to these roles, we are retaining excellence, expertise, and knowledge of both the Schools and our
pupils, ensuring a smooth and successful transition through this period. This alignment involves some
changes to titles and job descriptions. This communication serves to introduce the new structure and
confirm those staff members who are assuming these new roles. The full appointment process is still
ongoing, and final details will be provided later in the year.

 

Appointments to the Senior Leadership Team

Role	Staff Member
Head	Recruitment to be completed by Spring Term 2025
Senior Deputy Head	Mr Deiniol Williams
Deputy Head [Academic]	Mr James O’Brien
Deputy Head [Pastoral]	Mr Graham Ion
Deputy Head [Co-curriculum]	Mr Tommy Higham
Assistant Head [Compliance]	Mrs Jen Angwin
Assistant Head [Partnerships]	Mrs Julia Marshall
Assistant Head [Pastoral]	Mr Randal Yates
Assistant Head [Sixth Form]	Mrs Vicki Mee
Assistant Head [Teaching & Learning]	Dr Chris Clay

Dr Michael Alderson

Dr Michael Alderson joined Merchant Taylors’ in September 2023, by way of an interim appointment
as Executive Head in order to lead and support our Schools through the transition to a single
coeducational entity from September 2025. We are very grateful to Dr Alderson for his contribution to
Merchant Taylors’ since he joined the Schools, and everything he has done to set us on the road to
senior school coeducation at the Harrison site. We are now able to announce that he has recently
accepted an appointment as Principal of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation from the start of the
next academic year. We warmly congratulate him on that appointment, and it goes without saying that
when Dr Alderson leaves Merchant Taylors’ in August 2025, he will do so with our very best wishes
and sincere thanks for all that he has done for our Schools since his appointment. We have already
begun the national search for the first Head of the new, coeducational school and we will provide further
updates on this process next term. The successful candidate and Dr Alderson will work closely
together through the summer term to allow for an effective handover as well as provide opportunities
to meet with pupils, staff, and parents.

Heads of Division

In aligning the pastoral structure of the Girls’ and Boys’ Schools, we will develop the horizontal
pastoral structure now in place across both senior schools. Heads of Division, supported by Assistant
Heads of Division, will oversee key sections. This reorganisation enables a focused approach to the
issues affecting specific year groups and enhances the quality of academic oversight and pastoral
care. Heads of Division will be responsible for the pastoral and academic needs of their respective
year groups, pupil conduct, the pastoral programme, and the line management of form tutors.

Role	Staff Member
Head of Upper School [10 & 11]	Mr Sam Sheen
Assistant Head of Upper School	TBC
Head of Middle School [8 & 9]	Miss Kerri Taws
Assistant Head of Middle School	Mr Tom Collins
Head of Lower School [7]	Mrs Natalie Houghton
Assistant Head of Lower School	Ms Natalie Hickie

When further appointments are made, we will provide further updates on those appointments.

Teaching Space & Classrooms

In addition to the above staffing changes, we have now completed the allocation of space for all
departments and offices at the Harrison site from September 2025. Wherever possible, our intention
is to create both departmental subject areas and to exploit space as effectively as we can. Additional
space will be created through the restoration and conversion of John Bebb House, and initial plans
will be shared once the formal planning process has been concluded. We expect to be able to make
further announcements in relation to the development of our wider School estate in due course.
The logistics of developing the Harrison site as well as transferring furniture and equipment from the
Girls’ School has already begun, and will continue over the next two terms.

Transition Events

Formal and informal transition events have already taken place throughout the current term, and it
has been gratifying to speak with pupils about their thoughts on the move to a single, coeducational
school. Further events are planned for the coming terms, and we are certain these will address any
questions they may have and prepare our pupils well for this move.