Kingswood Prep Announces Helen Worrall as Next Head

Kingswood Prep School is delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Worrall as Head from September 2027, as Mark Brearey retires at the end of the next academic year.

 

Now in her eighth year at Kingswood Prep, Helen is already a well-known, trusted and much-loved member of the school community. In her current role as Deputy Head, she has led the day-to-day life of the school overseeing pastoral care, safeguarding, and teaching and learning, and working closely with Mark to deliver a vision of excellence.



When Mark steps down after 16 years of dedicated leadership, Helen will take on a happy, thriving school, supported by wonderful staff and a strong parent community. With extensive experience as a senior leader, she is known for her warmth, care and genuine commitment to making sure every child receives the very best education and opportunities during their time at the school.

Helen graduated with an Honours degree in Russian Studies from Nottingham University, holds a Master’s degree in Education, and has also completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

Andrew Gordon-Brown, Headmaster and Principal of the Kingswood Foundation, said: 'The appointment attracted an exceptionally strong field of candidates, including many experienced serving Heads. Throughout a highly competitive recruitment process, Helen consistently stood out as the outstanding candidate, earning the unanimous support of the interview panel.'

We sat down with Helen to talk about what makes Kingswood Prep so special, her vision for the future, and what families can look forward to in the school’s next chapter.

What do you think makes Kingswood Prep such a special place for children and families?

The sense of community here is incredibly strong; every child and family is known and valued. Happiness, kindness and warm relationships are central to the school and you feel this from the moment you walk through the door.

It’s a school with clear values, and they underpin everything we do. There’s a genuine care for every individual and a real focus on helping each child to flourish and thrive, whatever their passions and interests might be. We want children to find the things they love, feel excited about learning and have the confidence to grow.

The academic results for pupils at Kingswood Prep are very strong, but this is not a high-pressure environment. We are ambitious and have high expectations; children are learning all the time, often without even realising it, and our staff create the most wonderful environment for learning. I am a lifelong learner so developing a love of learning from an early age is important to me.

We’re also incredibly lucky to have such skilled and dedicated staff. There’s a culture of care here that is second to none, with a real sense that everyone is working together to support children and their families.

What excites you most about leading the school into its next chapter?

Honestly, everything! I feel hugely honoured to have the opportunity to lead a school that I already know and care so much about.

Kingswood Prep already has so many unique strengths, and I’m excited to build on those while protecting all the things that make the school feel so special. Mark has done a wonderful job over the last 16 years leading with clarity and stability, and I’m looking forward to continuing that journey.

Education is changing at a rapid pace, and I take very seriously our responsibility to prepare children for an ever-changing world, while still holding on to what really matters. For me, that means keeping excellent pastoral care at the heart of everything we do, maintaining high academic standards and making sure children still get to enjoy their childhood. I’m passionate about creating a future-focused curriculum that further develops skills like collaboration, communication, creativity, curiosity and critical thinking. I also believe learning should go far beyond the classroom, through the arts, outdoor learning, community engagement and real-life experiences.

We are so blessed with our wonderful environment at KPS and I want to ensure that we continue giving children opportunities to build confidence, resilience and character as these are skills that will really matter going forward. I look forward to giving our pupils even more chances to embrace the outdoors.

How would you describe your approach to education?

I really believe children thrive when they are celebrated as individuals, nurtured with care, and challenged to succeed.

For me, education is about getting the balance right; strong academics alongside exceptional pastoral care and an abundance of opportunities beyond the classroom. It’s about creating an environment where children feel happy, secure and confident enough to try new things, take risks and discover who they are.

Kingswood welcomes children from 9 months through to 18 years. How do you think that long-term continuity shapes their experience and development?

I think that continuity is incredibly special. Being part of the same community from such a young age gives children a real sense of belonging.

Over time, staff get to know children so well, not just academically, but as people. We understand their personalities, strengths, interests and the areas where they might need more support or challenge. It allows for a fully connected educational journey where children can benefit from shared expertise, facilities, experiences and strong transition points to ensure that they thrive.

What qualities do you hope every child leaves Kingswood Prep with when they move on to senior school?

Above all, I hope they leave happy. I’d love every child to have confidence without pretentiousness, alongside kindness, compassion and empathy for others. I also hope they leave with resilience, curiosity, adaptability and ambition – all skills required for the future.

I want them to leave with a strong sense of who they are, the confidence to be who they want to be, to follow interests and passions that excite and inspire them and make a positive difference to the world around them

For prospective families considering Kingswood Prep, what would you say sets the school apart?

I’d always say come and see it for yourself, because the feeling you get when you walk around the school really says it all.

What makes Kingswood Prep stand out is the people, the culture of care and the strength of the community. It’s a place where children are known, supported and encouraged to flourish in every sense.

July 2026