New Head for Hereford Cathedral School
Congratulations to Dr Michael Gray, Director of Studies at Harrow School, who is to be the new Head of Hereford Cathedral School when Paul Smith steps down after 16 years this summer.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Gray said “I am both delighted and honoured to be appointed the next Headmaster of Hereford Cathedral School and to build on the fantastic work that Paul Smith has done. It is an extremely exciting time to join HCS and there is an impressive momentum across the School as we look to realise Vision 2030 and ensure that all pupils are equipped to thrive in a changing world. Angharad and I are relishing the prospect of moving to the beautiful county of Herefordshire and to join this wonderful community in one of the UK’s leading independent co-educational schools.”
Dr Gray will take over when Paul Smith steps down from his role in September. Paul has given a ringing endorsement of his successor’s appointment: “I am delighted that the Governors have appointed Michael, who is clearly very able and experienced and who seemed to me to be an excellent match for what Hereford Cathedral School needs for the next stage of its development. I have enjoyed meeting Michael and look forward to welcoming him to Hereford in the coming weeks.”
More about Michael
Dr Gray was selected from an extremely strong field of over 50 applicants. Chair of Governors, Rear Admiral Philip Wilcock says: “We were extremely impressed with his vision for the School and his undoubted commitment to developing yet further the quality of teaching and learning across the whole school.
Michael graduated from King’s College London with a First in History, after which he completed a PGCE, followed by a Masters and PhD at the UCL Institute of Education. He taught at Halliford School in Shepperton and St Edward’s School, Oxford, before joining Harrow in 2013 as Head of Politics. He subsequently became Academic and Universities Director before taking up his appointment as Director of Studies in 2019 with overall responsibility for all academic matters at Harrow.
HCS’s First Head appointed in 1384!
Hereford Cathedral School is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 3-18 providing pupils with an excellent standard of teaching and individual care, and a broad range of opportunities to develop every aspect of their potential. It is among the oldest schools in the country with the first Headmaster appointed in 1384.
