Cundall Manor School announces new appointment of Headmaster

The Governors are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Simon Weale as Headmaster of Cundall Manor School from the start of the Lent Term, 7 January 2025. Mr Weale is an experienced independent school Headmaster with a demonstrable and impressive track record in whole school leadership. He is currently the Director of Bishop Cotton School, a position to which he was appointed to in 2020.  Founded on British traditions, Bishop Cotton is one of the leading independent boarding schools in India and is accredited by the Cambridge International examination board. Previously, Mr Weale was Headmaster of Shebbear College in Devon for six years; a co-educational independent day and boarding school for children aged two through to eighteen and is very similar in ethos and size to Cundall.

Mr Weale took his degree in Modern History from Keble College, Oxford before embarking on an extensive and impressive teaching career. He has held posts at the Judd School in Tonbridge, Latymer Upper School and Reigate Grammar School, where he was Head of Sixth Form, before being appointed Deputy Head Master at Brentwood School. He is married to Rebecca, a communications specialist, and they have two daughters and a son. Their youngest daughter is currently at boarding school in Suffolk and is excited at the prospect of joining Cundall in the near future.

On learning of his appointment, Mr Weale said,

‘Rebecca and I are thrilled to be joining Cundall and we are looking forward to meeting you all. I believe strongly in the warm-hearted and holistic education offered by the school. Our children thrived in a similar rural co-educational setting where they were known as individuals and encouraged by teachers with genuine ambition for them.  This helped them to develop their self-confidence and emotional intelligence and gave them a desire to grasp the opportunities that life has given them. Cundall pupils are privileged to grow up in such inspirational, healthy and supportive surroundings which allow them to enjoy their childhood and prepare for life beyond school. I am determined to build on the fantastic work already being done at the school, and from my own experiences both in the UK and internationally, to ensure an ambitious and truly world class offer that rewards the investment by families and ensures our pupils become successful, principled and proactive global citizens’.

Mr Weale is a keen sportsman who gained three Blues for cricket at Oxford and twice won the cricket National Club Championship with Teddington CC.  He played representative hockey and junior club rugby. He is also a keen nature lover and historian and writes published articles regularly on his interests including his educational philosophy and experiences.

During his time as a teacher of History, he has had extensive experience of outdoor education, coached cricket and rugby teams, and led school trips across the world including to North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and South East Asia.  He has also developed pupil exchanges between the UK and schools in Australia, South Africa, India and a rugby exchange in south-west France.

The Governors are delighted to have appointed an experienced and accomplished Headmaster in the form of Mr Weale, who is fully aligned with the values of our school. “During our search, we were adamant that the next Headmaster hold significant experience of whole school leadership and the Governors have been impressed by his immediate recognition of the opportunities that Cundall has to offer. We are confident that he will lead our school into the future with diligence, energy and enthusiasm and we are pleased that the timing of our search coincided his plans for a return to the UK. I know that Mr Weale is very much looking forward to meeting you and your children and there will be opportunities to do so later this term, when he will visit school and be involved with preparations for his arrival in January.” Chair of Governors, Rachel Powell.

Meanwhile it is very much Cundall as usual as we embark upon another enriching and successful term ahead.