Dr Anne Cotton announced as new Head of King's College School, Wimbledon

The governors of King’s College School are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Head. Following an extensive search and robust selection process, Dr Anne Cotton – the Head of The Portsmouth Grammar School – emerged as the outstanding candidate from an exceptionally strong field. She will be the first permanent female Head of King’s and take up her position in September 2022. Awarded a double first in Classics at Christ Church, Oxford, Dr Cotton later completed her MSt in Classical Languages and Literature and her DPhil at the college. Oxford University Press published her book Platonic Dialogue and the Education of the Reader in 2014. She also holds an MA in Education.

After beginning her teaching career in the maintained sector at The Henry Box School in Witney, Dr Cotton moved to Magdalen College School in Oxford, where she held both pastoral and academic responsibilities and rose to become Deputy Head.

At The Portsmouth Grammar School she set out a strategic plan which focused, among other things, on pupil voice, engagement and leadership, on curriculum reform and enrichment, and on development work to fund bursaries and other community outreach programmes.

Having enjoyed music while a pupil at Francis Holland School in London, she became Director of the Oxford Festival of the Arts, working alongside theatres, museums, and businesses there as well as launching a partnerships programme with local schools. She is currently Chair of Ports Fest, Portsmouth’s annual festival celebrating young people and the arts.

Our current Head Master, Mr Andrew Halls, who has been an exceptional leader of King’s since 2008, announced his intention to retire in February this year.

Lord Deighton, Chair of Governors, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Cotton. She is a teacher and Head of the very highest calibre and will continue an unbroken line of first-class leadership. During his thirteen years in post, our Head Master Andrew Halls has led the school with enormous success. Our Acting Head Jude Lowson is currently guiding the school masterfully, and our Bursar Anna Maria Clarke continues to run the school’s operations and finances with great skill and expertise. Dr Cotton is perfectly placed to take King’s on the next stage of its journey and is very much looking forward to joining us.”

Dr Cotton said: “It is an honour to have been invited to be the next Head of King’s. King’s has an incredible tradition in scholarship and intellectual energy, in kindness and care, and in the strength of its community and its partnerships. I am excited to have the opportunity to strengthen the school while stewarding its special character. I very much look forward to getting to know the King’s community, to working with pupils, staff, parents and Governors, and to leading the school in the next phase of its development.”