Looking Ahead to September — Meet Kingsley's Incoming Head of Prep
As Kingsley heads into the final weeks of the summer term, incoming Head of Prep School Mrs Samantha Hammond shares what she's most looking forward to as she prepares to step fully into her new role in September.
"There's something rather special about the end of a school year - the performances, the prize-givings, school trips, sports days, and those quieter, more reflective moments between teachers and the children they've guided and encouraged across the year."
For Mrs Samantha Hammond, who joins Kingsley Prep School as Head this September, those end-of-year moments feel especially meaningful this time around. After two years in a whole-school role, she is heading back to the year groups that first built her love of teaching and of leading within education.
Mrs Hammond succeeds Andrew Trythall, who has led Kingsley Prep School with dedication and commitment. During his tenure, Andrew oversaw continued growth within the Prep School and played a significant role in shaping the strong community and educational foundations that exist today, foundations Mrs Hammond is both eager and well-placed to build upon.
Having served as Director of Inclusive Education, she is not coming to the role as an outsider. "I've had the privilege of working across the whole school, which means I've already been able to build relationships with pupils, staff and families in the Prep. I'm looking forward to deepening those connections as I step into this new chapter."
Preparing for September
Mrs Hammond is clear that her summer preparation won't just be about logistics. Alongside planning for the year ahead, she wants to take time to reflect on what she's heard from pupils, families and staff.
With that in mind, she's using these final weeks of term to connect with as many Prep School pupils and families as she can. Mrs Hammond is already teaching Year One for two mornings a week and supporting with break and lunchtime duties within Key Stage 1. This half term, she'll be increasing her presence further, attending Sports Day, Speech Day, Nursery Graduation and other key events.
For all Prep School families, those already with us and those joining in September, Mrs Hammond has a simple message.
"Come and find me. Say hello. Tell me about your child — what lights them up, what they find tricky, what they're proud of. I want to know each pupil as an individual, not just a name on a register. And if anything is ever on your mind, my door is always open."
Her message to the children is just as warm. "I want them to feel safe to be themselves, to try new things, to make mistakes and try again. I want Kingsley Prep to be a place they're genuinely excited to come to each morning."
After two and a half years at Kingsley, Mrs Hammond is ready for the next chapter, one that begins with deepening her understanding of the Prep School, being part of its day-to-day rhythms, its ethos and its passions, and working with families and staff to identify where it can continue to grow.
Leading the Way
Mrs Hammond is already deep in the work of the final term. Her preparations as incoming Head sit alongside her leadership of one of the school's most significant developments of the year, the opening of the new Connect Centre. Rather than pulling in different directions, the two feel entirely natural together, each reflecting the same values and priorities she will carry into the headship.
The Connect Centre brings together Grenville and Edgehill into a single, purpose-built facility designed around the needs of the pupils it serves. Its creation represents a major step in Kingsley's commitment to inclusive education, and a fitting expression of the work Mrs Hammond has championed throughout her time here.
"This project means a great deal to me. At its core, it's about giving every child a place where they feel understood, supported, and able to grow. Being part of its opening in these final weeks, while also getting ready to step into the headship, feels incredibly natural, bringing together everything I care about."
As the new term begins, the Connect Centre will open its doors, a tangible expression of the values and pupil-centred approach that Mrs Hammond will bring to the Prep School's headship.
Building on Strong Foundations
One of the themes that emerged during Mrs Hammond's appointment was the depth of work she has already led at Kingsley, strengthening inclusion, literacy, and curriculum design across the school. As Head of Prep, she's clear that she won't be starting from scratch; she'll be building on what's already here.
"There is already so much to be proud of. My job isn't to reinvent what works; it's to take what's great and help it grow. That might mean refining how we support early reading, stretching our most able pupils, or making sure our curriculum reflects the curious, creative learners we want our children to become. But it all starts from a really solid place."
She is particularly focused on the journey children make as they move through the school — from the play-based confidence of EYFS, into the growing independence of Key Stage 1, and onwards to the curiosity and challenge of Key Stage 2. The step between EYFS and KS1, she says, is "one of the most important, and often overlooked, moments in a child's school journey. When that transition is handled well, children carry a strong sense of themselves as learners, something that stays with them as they move confidently through Key Stage 2 and beyond."
The Everyday Magic
Ask Mrs Hammond what she is most looking forward to, and her answer comes without hesitation: the daily life of the school itself.
"Honestly? It's the ordinary days. Being in classrooms, seeing children figuring things out together; those unstructured moments on the playground when friendships grow; the quick chats in corridors; the laughter at lunchtime. That's where you really see who the children are."
While classroom learning, a rich curriculum, and high academic aspirations will always be central to her vision, Mrs Hammond is clear that these will only flourish when pupils feel happy, confident, and engaged across every part of school life.
"It's the whole tapestry of enrichment that makes school life so special, the buzz when a visitor brings a new idea into a classroom, the excitement of heading out on a trip, the teamwork and pride that shine through in school productions, the clubs where children discover passions they didn't know they had, the friendly competitions that bring out their best. When you see pupils and staff throwing themselves into all of it with genuine enthusiasm, that's the culture you want to protect and grow."
After two and a half years at Kingsley, she is ready — and genuinely looking forward to what comes next.
How to Enquire about Joining Kinglsey
Want to learn more about joining Kingsley? Contact our admissions team to find out more about Prep School places or to arrange a visit: admissions@kingsleydevon.com
