SCOTT CARNOCHAN TO BECOME THE NEXT HEADMASTER OF HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2017

Dear OSS

I write to share with you the news that Scott Carnochan, Headmaster of Sedbergh Prep School, has been appointed to become the next Headmaster of Holmewood House School.

Holmewood House was founded in 1945 and is a 3-13 Independent Boarding Prep School of 440 boys and girls. Scott’s appointment to this prestigious School in the South of England reflects his success at Sedbergh and is a signal of our own School’s strength.

Scott’s leadership has been instrumental in the transformation of Sedbergh Prep School from a small School in modest facilities to one which can claim to be the leading Prep School in the North of England. It has been a great pleasure to work with Scott and whilst personally I shall be sad to say farewell to him, I am delighted that he has been successful in his application so that he is able to progress in his career. Scott will remain as Headmaster of Sedbergh Prep School until the end of the Summer Term and will move to Kent to start at Holmewood House in September 2017.

During the last week, I have agreed with the Chairman of Governors that the School will work with Russell Speirs Academics (RSA), recruitment consultants, to secure the very best successor to Scott. Russell himself worked at Sedbergh and knows the School well. He has assigned Mark Johnson to be Senior Advisor. Mark has over 30 years’ experience of working in Boarding Prep Schools and was Headmaster of Cheam (Prep) School for 18 years. During that time the School grew significantly in numbers and reputation and whilst Mark retired in 2016, he remains closely in touch with Prep Schools throughout the country. We have arranged for Mark to visit Sedbergh Prep School next week in order to gain the very best insight into the School in order that he can advise us effectively. His work will include a nationwide search and at the same time we will use our personal networks to encourage applications from suitable candidates. I look forward to working closely with Mark to ensure we appoint the best possible candidate to the post.

This work will start immediately. We anticipate that initial interviews will take place in January and that we will appoint Scott’s successor in February. This will allow plenty of time to introduce the new Head to pupils, parents, staff and the Sedbergh community.

I know you will wish to join me in congratulating Scott on his appointment and that you will join me in due course when we thank him and Kate for all they have done for Sedbergh. In the meantime, I shall keep you informed as the work to appoint Scott’s successor continues.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Fleck