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We are happy to announce the appointment of Mr. Simon O’Malley as Principal of Repton Cairo from the start of the forthcoming academic year. Mr. O’Malley visited the school in November as a member of the Repton Family of Schools (RFS) Quality Assurance Team and we are delighted he will be returning in August to lead Repton Cairo for the academic year 2023/24.
Mr. O’Malley is a highly experienced UK Headmaster who is strongly aligned with Repton’s values. Having completed a Masters degree in English Language and Literature at Aberdeen University, Mr. O’Malley then completed his teacher training qualification at Westminster College, Oxford.
Following teaching spells in the UK and Kenya, he went on to lead two of the UK’s most prestigious Prep Schools, Thomas’s Battersea and Wellesley House. At Thomas’s, Mr. O’Malley played a key role in the school’s transition to full secondary education and the planning of a new enquiry curriculum. At Wellesley, the school was chosen as the only independent school in Britain to have direct radio contact with the British astronaut Tim Peake on the International Space Station.
Last year, after 16 years of Headship, Mr O’Malley accepted a new challenge by joining the Repton Family of Schools Management Team as a Senior Education Advisor. In this role, he has already conducted Quality Assurance Visits of Repton Cairo, Repton Dubai and Repton Al Barsha and is currently working closely with another school within the Repton family – Vinehall School – as it prepares for inspection next year. A holistic education is an integral element of all Repton Schools and Mr. O’Malley embodies this principle; he is a keen sportsman who has completed the London Marathon three times, and a trustee of a charitable foundation that provides educational opportunities to children in London and Nepal. It has been agreed with Mr. O’Malley and ourselves that he will serve as the Repton Cairo Principal for one year before returning to the UK and his Senior Education Advisor role.
This will enable us to benefit from the expertise of a world class school leader and further strengthen the ties between Repton Cairo and Repton UK. It also provides ample time to select the best possible long-term successor to Mr. O’Malley. We believe this is good news all round. Mr. O’Malley is married to Katy who is an artist and teacher. They have two adult children, both of whom work in London – their daughter, Laragh, in the charity sector and son, Robert, in the Civil Service. To be able to appoint such a highly regarded school leader who is already very familiar with our school, is wonderful news for Repton Cairo. We look forward to working with Mr. O’Malley and believe his appointment will help fulfil our goal of ensuring Repton Cairo is a world leading school.
MR. O’MALLEY’S QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
1975 - 1981
The Oratory School, Woodcote
Reading
1981 - 1985
Aberdeen University
MA Hons English Literature and Language
1985 - 1986
The Oratory Prep School, Reading
Teacher of English, history, geography and games
1986 - 1987
Westminster College, Oxford
Secondary PGCE in English with drama and games coaching
Awarded The Wilmore Teaching Prize
1987 - 1994
The Banda School, Nairobi, Kenya
Head of English and Drama departments
Editor of school magazine
1994 - 1997
Newland House, Twickenham
Head of English
1997 - 2006
Beaudesert Park, Minchinhampton
Deputy Head (from 2001)
2006 - 2017
Broadstairs, Kent
Head of Wellesley House
2017 - 2022
Battersea High Street
Head of Thomas's Battersea
2022 - Now
Educational Consultant working with Repton Family of Schools