Speakers

Having graduated from New College, Oxford with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and
Economics, Emma started her career in teaching at Stowe School. She was a Housemistress
to Sixth Form girls there before moving on to Canford School in Dorset to run a 13-18 day
house in addition to teaching Economics and being responsible for Oxford and Cambridge
entrance.   In 2001, Emma was appointed Admissions Tutor and then Senior Mistress at
Dean Close Senior School and worked there for six years before taking up the Headship of
Christ College, Brecon, the first female Head in that School’s 475 year history.
During her 10 years at Christ College, Emma oversaw the enhancement of academic results,
expansion of school numbers, significant building work including new facilities for Science
and Creative Arts, the opening of a Junior School and a partnership with a Malaysian
company to open a sister school in Kuala Lumpur.
Emma is a champion for co-education, for the benefits of boarding, and for both excellence
and inclusivity inside and outside the classroom. She has contributed extensively to BBC
Radio and TV in Wales as well as writing and speaking on educational issues across the
independent sector.
Knowing Dean Close well, Emma was delighted to take up the leadership of the Foundation
at an exciting time in its development, with ambitious and inspiring building work planned
for the senior school and with growing and deepening relationships between the family of
schools and nurseries, now offering outstanding care and education from the first months of
life into adulthood.