MALVERN St James Girls’ School (MSJ) is set to appoint its first ever male head teacher, due to start his post in January 2024.
Dr Gareth Lloyd will leave Cambridge Stoke College to succeed current head Olivera Raraty, who will retire at Christmas following a seven year stint as the schools leader.
Dr Lloyd will become the first male head in the history of the school, which formed from the merger of Malvern Girls’ College and St James’ School in 2006. Both educational establishments had a history dating back to the late 1800’s.
Olivera Raraty’s successor grew up in Bridgend, South Wales and was educated at the universities of Exeter, Cambridge, London, Reading, Sheffield and Trinity Laban, in a range of academic disciplines including music, modern foreign languages, school management and philosophy.
MSJ will be Dr Lloyd’s fifth headship in schools in England, Wales and China.
The school have appointed Dr Lloyd because of their belief in his commitment to high quality, all-round education with a vested interest in individual students’ success.
They believe he has demonstrated his capacity to manage the school with inspiration and ambition.
Dr Lloyd said: “From my very first discussion about the possibility of leading Malvern St James, to the final interview and meeting governors, staff and especially the girls, I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to be joining the school.
“It is both an immense privilege and great responsibility to assume this headship, not least as the first male Head in the school’s history.
“I am committed to a new era of growth, building on MSJ’s impressive heritage as one of the UK’s leading girls’ schools and its reputation for academic breadth and rigour, enrichment, and pastoral care.”
Dr Lloyd is a musician, who plays piano and violin, sings and composes music. He is also a keen sportman, with a focus on marathon and ultra-marathon running, having competed in 150 events.
His doctoral submission ‘Requiem for the Fallen of 9/11’ is due to be premiered in New York on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Twin Towers tragedy.
MSJ’s chair of governors, Gemma Bruce, said: “We are very excited about Dr Lloyd’s appointment.
“His experience gained over a lifelong career in education, his enthusiasm, focus and philosophy on education will make him a superb leader of our school, giving clarity and focus to our strategic direction over the next decade and beyond.
“He has tremendous energy and insight, which impressed the governing body in a very strong field of candidates.
“Whilst welcoming Dr Lloyd, we thank outgoing Headmistress Mrs Olivera Raraty for her outstanding leadership in the last 7 years.”
