EDUCATION
FROM LEADERSHIP ROLES AT PRESTIGIOUS UK AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS , TO AN EXCITING NEW CHALLENGE BACK ‘ HOME ’ IN THE SOUTH EAST
MEET THE NEW HEAD MR JAMES THOMAS , SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL
I am delighted to have been appointed as the new headmaster of Sutton Valence School . I will succeed Bruce Grindlay who , after 12 years of outstanding service to the school , will be leaving at the end of July to take up the post of principal of Rugby School Thailand .
I am currently head of the secondary school at the British School in Tokyo , a highly regarded school which holds very similar values to SVS . Prior to working in Japan , I was the director of studies at Harrow International School in Hong Kong and before that held leadership roles in the UK at both Dulwich College and Wellington College . Whilst working and living on the other side of the world in recent years has been a wonderful experience , the South East of England , and Kent in particular , is very much ‘ home ’ for me and my family . We are all eager to get settled in the region again and for my three sons to join Sutton Valence Preparatory School in September .
One of the aspects about Sutton Valence that appeals most to me is the warm , supportive and open community ; it is clear that people really care about the school and each other . I believe the size of the school is perfect – large enough to be diverse but also small enough for every individual to be treasured . Pupils are encouraged to find their passion and to achieve their very best in everything they do . The beautiful location and stunning views are an inspiration for pupils and staff alike .
The school is in a wonderful position after great progress in recent years and I am very excited to be leading it into its next chapter . I look forward to getting to know the many people who are part of the SVS community – students of all ages , staff , parents , governors , Old Suttonians , and the many friends and partners of the school . It is clearly a very special place and I cannot wait to be a part of it .
Since my school days at St Paul ’ s in London , I have always believed that we should all contribute to the communities of which we are a part . Some of my happiest times at school were probably being part of big events where everybody worked together , such as dramatic performances , concerts , sports fixtures , and chapel and cathedral services . I was very lucky to have wonderful teachers at school who inspired me to love my studies and I was fortunate to go on to Trinity Hall , Cambridge University where I read Theology , as well as playing a lot of sport , singing in choirs and being the college president in my final year .
I always wanted to work in a profession which centred around relationships with others . It is such an honour to be able to make a contribution to a community and enable others to flourish . My mother and grandparents were also teachers , so education is in my blood !
I don ’ t expect to have very much free time when I first join the school , but any spare moments will be spent with my family since I have three energetic and creative sons ( aged , 9 , 7 and 4 ) who certainly keep me and my wife , Katherine , busy . As a family , we enjoy spending time outdoors camping , travelling , reading and relaxing with our old , wise and ever faithful labrador , Taggy .
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