Latest News

St Michael’s is delighted to announce the appointment of Laura King as Deputy Head (Academic), effective from September 2026. 

Laura joins St Michael’s Senior Leadership Team from Ardingly College International where she supports teaching, learning development and educational quality across their global network. She has a broad range of experience across both the independent and state sectors, having previously served as Deputy Head at Croydon High School and Cumnor House School respectively. 

Laura’s passion for education is rooted in her own positive school experience when she was inspired by teachers who championed every child and created environments in which pupils could flourish academically, socially and personally. This early influence continues to shape her commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners.  

Laura was particularly drawn to St Michael’s for its strong sense of family, reputation and focus on developing the whole child. She said: “From my first visit to St Michael’s, I was struck by the warmth of the community, the strength of relationships and the genuine sense of purpose and ambition for every child.” 

 

“From my first visit to St Michael’s, I was struck by the warmth of the community, the strength of relationships and the genuine sense of purpose and ambition for every child.” 

In her new role, Laura will lead the academic life of St Michael’s, working closely with colleagues to build on the excellent foundations already in place, whilst continuing to develop teaching and learning through a research-informed approach.  

A strong advocate for collaboration and professional growth, Laura is especially looking forward to forming meaningful relationships across the school. She said: “I am very much a people person and strongly believe that relationships sit at the heart of any successful school community. I am really excited to get to know the pupils, staff and families, and to work together to continue developing the school’s many strengths.” 

Laura is particularly passionate about teaching English and Maths, recognising their importance in underpinning all areas of learning across the curriculum. Her educational philosophy centres on creating inspiring classroom environments where children not only make strong progress but develop confidence, curiosity and a genuine enjoyment of learning. Looking ahead, Laura is committed to ensuring the curriculum maintains a thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation - retaining proven approaches while adapting to meet the needs of today’s learners. 

Laura is closely aligned with St Michael’s focus on equipping children for life, placing particular emphasis on developing the personal qualities and learning behaviours that will enable pupils to thrive in an ever-changing world. She said: “We know that the careers landscape will look very different in the future, so it is essential that we prioritise the qualities technology cannot replace - emotional intelligence, resilience and strong communication skills.” 

She added: “At St Michael’s, the learning behaviours play a key role in this. Explicitly teaching and embedding qualities such as resilience, independence, curiosity and collaboration gives children the tools they need not just to succeed in lessons, but to approach challenges positively and confidently in life. This approach helps St Michael’s pupils to become reflective learners who are willing to take risks, learn from mistakes and persevere.” 

"Explicitly teaching and embedding qualities such as resilience, independence, curiosity and collaboration gives children the tools they need not just to succeed in lessons, but to approach challenges positively and confidently in life."

 

Known for her warm, approachable and supportive leadership style, Laura values teamwork, lifelong learning and strong relationships with pupils, colleagues and families. 

Commenting on Laura’s appointment, Head Nik Pears said: “We are thrilled to welcome Laura to our Senior Leadership Team. Her breadth of experience, passion for education and commitment to nurturing the whole child align perfectly with our values. We look forward to the energy, insight and academic leadership she will bring to St Michael’s.” 

Laura King will begin her role as Deputy Head at the start of next academic year, succeeding Stephanie Clarke who will take up her new position as Head of Pre-Prep at St Michael’s from September. Nik Pears added: “Mrs Clarke has displayed inspirational leadership and a deep commitment to educational excellence throughout her time as Deputy Head (Academic). We are therefore delighted that the school will continue to benefit from her expertise, vision and proven impact in her new role at St Michael’s.”