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Teaching and learning for ages 5 to 11 has received a further boost at Harrogate independent school Ashville College with the appointment of its new Head of Prep School, and a second, highly experienced Reception Class Teacher for Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep.

Mr Phil Soutar, who is currently Head at Rosemead Prep and Pre-Prep School, Dulwich, which he recently led through an ISI inspection achieving an ‘Excellent’ grading across all areas of educational quality, has been appointed to succeed Mr Asa Firth as Ashville’s Head of Prep School from 1 September 2023.

Mr Soutar has had a successful career in independent preparatory education since graduating from Exeter University. He was Deputy Head of the Prep School at Ackworth School, Pontefract, and his first headship was at St Wystan’s Prep School in Derbyshire. He has been Head at Rosemead since 2017. Mr Soutar is a member of both the Independent School Association (ISA) and the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS). This year he is the National Chair for ISA, elected by over 600 Prep Heads in the Association.

Due to popular demand for our early years provision, we are splitting our Reception Class in two to accommodate the growing numbers. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Vicki van Zeller as our second Reception Class Teacher. She joins us from Highfield Prep School, from which she brings considerable experience in early years education and where she was also pivotal in the school’s environmental practices in her capacity as Eco Lead.

Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson, Head of Ashville College, said: “Mr Soutar’s appointment strengthens our senior leadership team and brings new energy and a renewed focus to our Prep School as we continue to grow numbers and inspire children aged 5 to 11. Mr Soutar is an advocate of high expectations and academic success as well as a balanced all-round education through a wide range of activities and creative experiences. He has a particular passion for Sport, Drama and Music.

“Mrs van Zeller, meanwhile, brings a wealth of experience in Reception teaching from her position at Highfield. She and our established, highly regarded Reception Class Teacher, Miss Georgi Bird, will make an excellent team as we build on our reputation for teaching in this important transition year.”

Our Open Morning on Saturday 30 September 2023 will be a fantastic opportunity to meet Mr Soutar, Mrs van Zeller, Miss Bird, and other key members of staff from across Ashville Prep School and Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep. To book your place, click here.