Langley School in Norfolk has welcomed a new headmaster this term as well as a new head of pre-prep and Early Years Foundation Stage.
New senior school headmaster Simon Cooke, who joined Langley in September 2022 as senior deputy head, previously served as vice principal at the state-funded , for nearly a decade.
Sophie Dale and Simon Cooke
His responsibilities at the 2000-pupil school ranged from overseeing pastoral care and behaviour, to leading teaching and learning initiatives and staff professional development programmes.
Mr Cooke was also a governor at Bedford School for ten years, where his two sons were students.
With almost 30 years of teaching experience, including 20 years in senior leadership roles, Simon has spearheaded numerous whole-school improvement initiatives. Originally qualifying as a PE teacher, he has taught several other subjects including maths and PSHE.
Mr Cooke has mentored other senior leaders and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
He said: 鈥淎t Langley, we take pride in our rich heritage and beautiful, and historic school grounds, while remaining forward-looking and progressive in our educational approach.鈥
Meanwhile, Sophie Dale has become the new head of pre-prep and Early Years Foundation Stage at Langley School.
Mrs Dale was the incoming head just as Langley’s Bluebell Nursery was classed as 鈥渙utstanding鈥 by Ofsted.
Mrs Dale said: 鈥淚t is my belief that all children should have an inspiring educational experience, filled with fun and stimulating opportunities to learn, helping to develop their curiosity and a love of learning. I understand the importance of fostering the knowledge and skills that are necessary as the fundamentals of a child鈥檚 future education.鈥
Mrs Dale, who has two children, has been involved in education for the last 16 years and has a broad range of experience as a primary teacher, having taught in every primary year group.
For the last three years, she has been head of EYFS at , near Peterborough, where she was instrumental in the development of their EYFS setting. Prior to her teaching career, Sophie worked in financial PR in London.
