Sevenoaks School Head moving on to a new challenge after 17 years in charge

AFTER nearly 17 years of leadership at Sevenoaks School, Dr Katy Ricks has accepted the post of Chief Master of King Edward’s School, Birmingham. She will become the first female Chief Master in the school’s 466-year history.

Dr Ricks (pictured) has been Head of Sevenoaks School since 2002. During that time she has overseen the completion of the school’s full transition to the IB, the introduction of its own externally moderated exams, the Sevenoaks School Certificates, the development of the school campus and further curriculum innovations.

Under her leadership, Sevenoaks has twice been the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year, in 2008 and 2018, and the school has grown its influence in the local community through the sponsorship of Knole Academy, the creation of Kent Academies Network and the fostering of other community partnerships.

Like Sevenoaks, King Edward’s School is one of a very small number of high-achieving all-IB independent schools in the UK. It is the flagship school of the Foundation of Schools of King Edward VI.

Dr Ricks said, “I don’t need to say what a wrench leaving Sevenoaks will be, but the opportunity to bring the experience I have gained here to a different school in a different part of the country where I have connections is really exciting. I will be sad, but proud, to leave an outstanding team of staff here at Sevenoaks to continue to deliver the school’s unique vision.”

The Chair of Governors, Mr Nicholas Gould, said, “Academic and co-curricular excellence and innovation have been the hallmark of Dr Ricks’ leadership, together with the creation of a raft of superb new facilities, and a growing number of assisted places supported by a successful philanthropic ethos.

“The Governors all feel much gratitude to Dr Ricks for her exceptional service to Sevenoaks School and wish her every success in her new role.”

The Governors are now engaging in the process of selecting a new head.