New Head of The Mount, Anna Wilby, Hits the Ground Running
We’re delighted to introduce our wonderful new Head, Anna Wilby.
Anna spent her first week meeting staff and pupils alike, and greeting some parents at the school gate. Anna inspired us in our first senior morning meeting of 2025, focusing on the themes of ‘gratitude’, ‘getting out of comfort zones’ and ‘setting three targets for the year’.
Anna joins The Mount from Ashville College in Harrogate, where she was Deputy Head: Co-Curricular and Outreach from 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.
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.
Anna says: “I am thrilled and honoured to join The Mount School as Head. I am looking forward to getting to know our fantastic pupils, parents and wider Mount community, and to finding out about our pupils’ interests and passions as the term progresses. I would like to extend my appreciation for the warm welcome that I have already received. I have clearly joined a special place, and I look forward to being a part of it. 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 with day and boarding offers, is such 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 and committed to promoting the school’s exceptional education and compassionate ethos.
I am a huge believer in holistic education and the balance and harmony that comes from hard work in the classroom and dedication to co-curricular activities. Of course, we want our pupils to leave school with the best grades that are achievable, but we also want them to leave as excellent, resilient and well-rounded people. Indeed, employers want so much more than just good grades and we should all pay attention to the skills for the 2025 workplace as outlined by the World Economic Forum. It can be said that exam results are the keys to the garden of life but, ultimately, what can be achieved once in there is linked to personal attributes and the soft skills developed alongside those grades.”
Margaret Bryan, outgoing Clerk of The Mount School Committee said: “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 will meet parents and give a short talk and on Wednesday 22 January 6-9pm and Tuesday 28 January 5-6pm. Otherwise, she is happy to make individual appointments via her PA at head@mountschoolyork.co.uk.
Anna Wilby Biography:
Anna Wilby was most recently 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 (RCM) 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, a leading, global international school, 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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