Head of prestigious West Sussex school becomes permanent head at Parsons Green Prep in Fulham

Tim Cannell, formerly head at The Prebendal School in Chichester, West Sussex, since 2005, has been appointed the permanent headmaster at Parsons Green Prep in Fulham, London. Tim started at PGP in September 2017 and was covering Mrs Helen Stavert’s maternity leave. Tim comments: ‘I am privileged to be offered the opportunity to lead Parsons Green Prep on a permanent basis. It is a gem of a school with superb facilities and a large outdoor space. Most importantly, PGP allows children to enjoy their childhood whilst offering a first-class education, preparing them for a wide selection of top London schools and beyond.’ Tim has a wide variety of experience in education with over 25 years within the independent sector. He has had responsibility for both pastoral welfare and academic excellence in schools. He is a former chairman of the Choir Schools Association (CSA), a member of IAPS (the Independent Association of Prep Schools), a governor of a boys’ prep school and an inspector for the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate). He also holds a Masters in Educational Management. Regarding his skills, Tim comments: ‘Being an ISI inspector, I have seen and understand excellence in teaching and learning. I am also able to quickly understand schools and have the ability to work with parents to ensure that the school their child goes on to is the right one for them.’ On his ethos and vision for the school, Tim comments: ‘I believe it is important to maintain and build on the ethos and vision of Parsons Green Prep. On first looking around the school I was struck by the energy, enthusiasm and engagement of the children and staff. I firmly believe that schools should be places that put the pastoral welfare at their heart as if children feel happy and secure they will rise to the challenges that are put before them and have the courage to explore the many new opportunities that PGP has to offer. The vision is one of building on the fantastic things that are already happening, such as STEM and chess, and ensuring that the children are not only fully prepared to move on to their new schools but they learn lifelong skills and develop attitudes to learning and life that will allow them to be successful, whatever the future holds. For me it is the 30-year-old that looks back and understands how their education in the early years has shaped them and allowed them to flourish later in life. That shows what a real prep school education is about.’ Outside school, Tim’s hobbies and interests include walking and being outdoors, gardening, watching and taking part in sport, exploring new restaurants and renovating an old barn. Lucinda Waring, founder of Parsons Green Prep, comments: ‘I want to thank Helen for all her hard work as our previous head. We are delighted that Tim has taken on the role of headmaster on a permanent basis and I look forward to him building on Helen’s legacy and taking the school forward into its next phase.’

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