I am delighted to announce that our new Head of Stamford Junior School is Mr Matthew O’Reilly.Matthew was appointed after an extensive recruitment process involving Governors, the senior school Heads, a current serving IAPS Head, the Deputy Heads, staff, parents and, most importantly, our Junior Stamfordian Prefects. Collectively he was the clear choice, and we are very excited by his appointment from a very strong field of over 20 Heads and 10 Deputies.Matthew joins us from St Mary’s School, Cambridge; an independent through school for ages 4-18. He has risen through the ranks at St Mary’s, having started his teaching career there, progressing through from Classroom Teacher to Assistant Head, and serving as Head since 2016.As part of the whole school Senior Leadership Team, Matthew leads on digital strategy for St Mary’s, and also acts as safeguarding lead for the Junior School. He is very involved in the co-curricular life of the school and leads a number of sports clubs, including the cross country club. He runs the Eco Club, and recently organised and hosted a climate change conference. He works closely with the Parents’ Association at St Mary’s.Prior to starting his teaching career in the UK, Matthew worked as a teacher in Japan and was an interpreter for Siemens, Goldmans Sachs and Deutsche Bank. He has also worked with and mentored underprivileged teenage boys in a previous role.Matthew holds a degree in German and Politics from Newcastle University and achieved his Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Cambridge University. He currently sits on the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Finance committee and is a Governor at St Mary’s, Hampstead, in London. He takes an active role in his local church. Matthew is a keen runner and has completed two London Marathons for charity. He and his wife Jess have three daughters, who will also be joining Stamford Junior School in due course.Matthew will join us in September. As you will be aware, Emma Smith will leave us at Easter, and the Deputy Heads, Mrs Weeks and Mrs Hughes, will work with me to lead SJS for the summer term.Matthew is very much looking forward to joining Stamford and being fully immersed in our thriving and busy community. We are delighted with his appointment and look forward to welcoming Matthew, Jess and their daughters to the Stamford family.Will PhelanPrincipal
