Dauntsey’s Appoints John Davies As New Head

Published by Dauntsey's on Tuesday 6th of February 2024

Dauntsey’s is delighted to announce that John Davies will be joining the school in September 2024 and taking up the position as the new Head of Dauntsey’s.

John is currently the Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal of Kingswood School, Bath, where he is responsible for the day-to-day life of the Senior School, supported by a team of Deputy and Assistant Heads.  Having joined Kingswood in 2017 as Deputy Head Academic, John, amongst other things, led Kingswood’s academic response to the Covid Pandemic, before becoming Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal. In addition, he is an experienced ISI School Inspector, is a member of the HMC AI/Ed Tech Working Group and is the Vice-Chair of Governors at St Andrew’s Primary School, Bath.

 Prior to his time at Kingswood, John was the Director of Teaching and Learning at Abingdon School, and Assistant Director of Studies at Shiplake.  He attended Oxford University as an undergraduate where he read English Language and Literature, and completed a Masters in Educational Leadership from Buckingham University.

Keen to be involved in all aspects of school life, John has experience refereeing rugby, football and, more recently, netball.  He also plays guitar and percussion and his passion for the performing arts extends to a number of cameo-stage roles in recent school productions.

 ‘It is my joy and privilege to have been chosen by the governors to be the next Head of Dauntsey’s, a school community I have long admired”, commented Mr Davies. “I am excited to build upon the impressive legacy of Mark Lascelles and I look forward to working together with the talented Governors, senior leaders, teachers, and support staff, as we lead the school into the next phase of its development. Most of all, I am eager to get to know our pupils and their families, and for them to get to know me.”

 Commenting on the appointment, Veryan Nield, Chair of Governors, said, “John emerged as the standout candidate in a highly competitive selection process.  Not only will John bring a fresh perspective, innovative ideas and a passion for education, but he also recognised the unique and special family atmosphere that is ever-present at Dauntsey’s and we felt confident that he will maintain this ethos.”