Highfield School appoints new Deputy Headteacher

Highfield School, a leading independent prep school in Hampshire, has appointed a new deputy headteacher. Andy Baker will begin his new role in September, replacing Alex Kingsbury.

Mr Baker is no stranger to Highfield as he is currently Head of Science, Head of Boarding (Strategic), and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. He will relinquish his science and boarding roles at the start of the autumn term while replacing Mrs Kingsbury as the respected co-ed school’s Dedicated Safeguarding Lead.

A graduate of Warwick University, Mr Baker joined Highfield in September 2017 after a series of high-profile roles within the prep-school sector.

Having secured a first-class honours degree with qualified teacher status in education studies with biology, Mr Baker began his career as a science teacher at Caldicott School in Slough, Berkshire, before taking over as Head of Science at Hazlegrove School in Yeovil, Somerset, where he combined teaching with the roles of House Master and Head of Year 8.

From there, Mr Baker moved to Ashdown House, where he was Head of Science and Senior Boarding Tutor, and onto Old Buckenham Hall in Brettenham, Suffolk, via a brief return as Head of Boarding at Caldicott. But an overwhelming desire to return to the classroom, and to a school with a thriving boarding community, saw him join Highfield as Head of Science and Boys’ House Master in September 2017.

Highfield headmaster Phillip Evitt said Mr Baker led the school’s science department “with such distinction” over the past few years.

Mr Evitt said: “It is our very good fortune in having someone of his character, ability and extensive prep school experience to assume his new responsibilities from September. His in-depth knowledge of Highfield and the broader Highfield and Brookham community will also undoubtedly prove invaluable.

“I have every confidence that Andy will do an outstanding job and play a central role in helping to shape Highfield’s future as we hopefully emerge from all that we have endured over the past months.”