The Mount announces new Head for 2025
Following a full and rigorous recruitment process working with education specialists Saxton Bampfylde, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Anna Wilby as the new Head of The Mount School York, from January 2025.
Anna joins The Mount from Ashville College in Harrogate, where she has been Deputy Head: Co-Curricular and Outreach since January 2020. In this role she collaborated with staff to enhance the diversity of Ashville’s whole school co-curricular programme, ensuring a wide-ranging and engaging curriculum. The College’s co-curricular programme was particularly recognised as a key strength during recent ISI and NEASC inspections.
Upon Anna’s appointment at The Mount we will be reverting to the traditional title of Head of The Mount. The School Committee believe this title better aligns with the responsibilities of the role and honours the school’s longstanding traditions.
Throughout the recruitment process which was led by a panel of governors and involved pupils across the school and a range of staff, the Committee found Anna to be a positive, engaging, committed, and child-focused professional. Anna has strong aspirations and a clear strategic vision for the future of our school. Everyone at The Mount is looking forward to working alongside her when she starts in January. Anna is ambitious for our school and eager to work with the team here to hit the ground running.
Prior to joining Ashville, Anna worked in Hong Kong as the founding Director of Music at Harrow International School, one of the world’s leading international schools. This is where Anna discovered her passion for working in all-through day and boarding schools, a style of school she has been passionate about ever since.
Anna Wilby comments: ‘I am thrilled and honoured to be joining The Mount School in January as the Head. I have been deeply impressed by the warmth and lived values that I have experienced during my visits to The Mount. The school’s Quaker ethos and educational philosophy closely align with my own, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success and tradition as we prepare pupils for happy and successful futures.
An all-through school, which offers day and boarding, is a special model, and I welcome the opportunity to lead and be part of this international community. I am pleased to be joining The Mount at such an exciting time as we welcome boys in the Junior School while preserving the special all-girls education in Senior School. I’m eager to collaborate and work with the talented staff and guide The Mount toward a bright and successful era. I am committed to promoting the school’s exceptional education and compassionate ethos.’
Margaret Bryan, Clerk of the The Mount School Committee comments: ‘We are delighted to have appointed such an enthusiastic and positive candidate. Anna’s warmth and commitment to leading The Mount into the future, while preserving its cherished qualities, truly impressed us.’
Anna Wilby Biography:
Anna Wilby is currently the Deputy Head: Co-Curricular and Outreach at Ashville College Harrogate. She originally hails from Harrogate where she attended St Aidan’s C of E High School and was a talented performer in the local and national music scene. Anna was subsequently educated at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Music, and at the Royal College of Music where she was awarded a master’s degree in Advanced Performance.
Following her teacher training, she took up her first post at Woldingham School as Assistant Director of Music before moving to a similar role at Trinity School, Croydon. Following a successful five years as Director of Music at the John Lyon School in Harrow she moved to Hong Kong to become the Founding Director of Music at Harrow International School, one of the world’s leading international schools, which opened its doors in August 2012. This is where Anna discovered her passion for all-through day and boarding schools, a style of school she has been drawn to and has believed in ever since.
Following her happy time in Hong Kong, Anna returned to North Yorkshire and Harrogate to Ashville College, initially as Director of Music before taking on the role of Deputy Head in January 2020. As Deputy Head: Co-Curricular and Outreach she has worked with staff to strengthen and develop the programme and ensured that the offering to pupils is extensive and engaging. In both the recent ISI and NEASC inspections, which took place last academic year, Ashville’s Co-Curricular programme was praised as being a clear strength and asset of the College.
Anna’s hobbies include cooking, reading and travel. The travel bug was ignited in her during her time in Hong Kong and she enjoys experiencing new places and sampling different cuisines. Music remains an important part of her life, and she performs as a singer and percussionist in many ensembles. Anna lives with her partner and together they serve the needs of a very pampered cat!
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