Appointment of New Head of Pre-Prep School

Following the decision by longstanding Pre-Prep Head Belinda Callow to retire at the end of this academic year, the College is pleased to announce the appointment of Jo Wallace as the new Head of the Pre-Prep school from September 2023.

Jo joins the College from her current role as Head of Pre-Prep at Abbott’s Hill School, Hemel Hempsted, where she has been responsible for the day to day running of their Pre-Prep for the last four years. Her role has focused on improving provision and education for the children and she has played a part in the strategic management of their Prep and Junior schools. Prior to her first Headship, Jo held teaching roles both in the UK and Australia, where she lived for a number of years. She has also acted as a school Governor since 2019.

Outside of work Jo loves spending time with her family in the outdoors and travelling the world, experiencing different cultures. She is a firm believer in the benefits the outdoors and physical activity can have on the mental health and wellbeing of both children and adults. Jo is an avid reader and fostering a love of books in young children and of storytelling in the curriculum is something she actively encourages.

Of her new position Jo says “I am delighted to be joining Bishop’s Stortford College as the new Head of the Pre-Prep School at such an exciting time for the College. The breadth of opportunities that the College offers is wonderful, and I look forward to meeting pupils, parents, and colleagues, and becoming part of the Bishop’s Stortford College community.”

Head of College Kathy Crewe-Read said of the new appointment “I am really looking forward to Jo joining our Executive team this September. The exemplary teaching delivered in the Pre-Prep is key to the success of our all-through school and helps to build the essential foundations for learning that our pupils rely on throughout their time with us. Jo brings with her a wealth of new ideas and experience that I am sure will benefit not just the children, but also the wider college community”.

The current Head of Pre-Prep, Belinda Callow, will be retiring in July 2023 after 20 years of outstanding service at the College.