Clare Kirkham

Clare joined Bedales as Head of Prep in April 2025. She began her career at the BBC and Channel 4, before transitioning into education when she completed a PGCE in Primary Education at the Institute of Education. She started as a class teacher at Barfield Prep School, near Farnham, and quickly progressed to the role of joint Head of the Pre-prep. Looking to gain a greater breadth of experience within teaching, Clare moved to Guildford High as Head of English in the Junior School before taking up her previous role of Head of Junior School at Downsend in 2017.

On what she tries to encourage and instil in students at Bedales, Clare says: "Through our teaching, we aim, first and foremost, to help the students realise that they are important and that their ideas, dreams and motivations really matter: that they are not something to be measured and assessed continuously, but a person to be championed."

Alongside her passion for English and literature, Clare is an avid supporter of drama, having contributed to a number of productions for the Edinburgh Fringe. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and Schnoodle dog, exploring the outdoors and travelling.