As St John’s College School welcomes a new chapter in its history, we sat down with Mrs Sarah Wright to hear about her journey in education, her vision for the school, and the values that will continue to guide our vibrant community.
Welcome to St John’s College School. What drew you to this role?
I have long admired St John’s College School for its reputation as a place where children flourish both academically and personally. The combination of academic rigour, creativity, music, and pastoral care is quite special here. What drew me most was the sense of warmth and community I felt from the very beginning — a school where every child is known, valued, and inspired.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
I began my career as a classroom teacher and have since held leadership positions in a variety of independent schools, both Junior Schools and Senior Schools. Over the years, I’ve taught children across many age groups, but I’ve always had a particular passion for prep school education — it is such a formative stage in a child’s life. Before coming here, I was Senior Deputy Head at Habs Girls in Elstree, where I focused on the day to day running of the school and held strategic responsibilities related to our partnerships programme, alumnae relations and fundraising.
What excites you most about leading St John’s College School?
The chance to work with such talented staff and enthusiastic pupils excites me most. This is a school that nurtures children to be curious, kind, and confident, while also preparing them for the next step in their education. I look forward to building on the school’s traditions while ensuring we continue to innovate and inspire in every aspect of learning.
What is your vision for the future of the school?
My vision is simple: to continue offering an outstanding education that balances academic achievement with creativity, wellbeing, and character development. I would like our pupils to leave not only with excellent results, but also with a strong sense of who they are and how they can make a positive contribution to the world.
How do you see the balance between tradition and innovation at a prep school like St John’s?
Tradition gives us identity and strength, and I deeply respect that. At the same time, the world our children are growing up in is rapidly changing. We need to prepare them with skills in creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy, while continuing to celebrate music, literature, and the values that have always made St John’s unique.
What qualities do you believe children need most for the world of tomorrow?
Children need resilience, curiosity, empathy, and confidence. Knowledge is important, but the ability to adapt, think critically, and relate to others with kindness will matter most in the future. Prep schools have the privilege of instilling these qualities at such an early and influential stage.
Outside of school, what are your interests or hobbies?
I’m passionate about sport and have continued to play netball from when I was at school and through university. These pursuits keep me balanced and often inspire how I approach leadership and teaching. I also enjoy spending time with my family — they remind me daily of the importance of laughter, patience, and perspective.
What message would you like to give to current and prospective parents?
To our current families, I want to say thank you for your warm welcome and your trust. I look forward to working closely with you to support your children’s growth. To prospective parents, I encourage you to visit St John’s, walk through our corridors, listen to the music, watch our pupils at work and play — you will see first-hand the spirit of this school. I am confident that every child who joins us will find a place where they are celebrated, challenged, and cherished.