Manor House School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Daniel Ayling as Head of Pre-Prep from September 2015.
Having grown up in Surrey, Daniel attended Sutton Grammar School and then gained a place at Cambridge University, graduating with an MA in Education and English. He also completed his teacher training, with Key Stage 1 specialism, at Cambridge.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has recently been approved to begin the National Professional Qualification for Headship, following a rigorous assessment procedure, at the UCL Institute of Education.
Daniel is an innovative, dynamic teacher and leader who is passionate about Early Years, committed to girls’ education and an advocate of personalised learning. Before joining Manor House School, Daniel taught in the Nursery and Infant Department at Greenacre School for Girls, where he was also Head of Learning Support across the Junior School. Prior to this, he taught a range of subjects from Years 2 to 6 at The Study School in New Malden, as well as coordinating the school’s SEN and Gifted & Talented provision.
Commenting on his appointment, Daniel said: “I am delighted and privileged to have been given the exciting opportunity to lead what I believe is the most important part of our school. The first time I visited Manor House, I was immediately struck by the warm, friendly atmosphere. It is a very special place where happy girls flourish into confident learners and I am really looking forward to working with the senior leadership team to spread that message far and wide.”
From September, Daniel will teach French across the Pre-Prep and Nursery, in addition to being a Year 2 Form Teacher. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming whenever possible and has a keen interest in all things musical, especially theatre and opera. He is a member of Kingston Choral Society and the Manor House School staff choir.
Headmistress Zara Axton said: “Daniel has the vision, skills and experience to further develop the high academic standards, breadth of education and outstanding pastoral care that we excel in providing at Manor House School. I am confident that the Pre-Prep and Nursery will thrive under Daniel’s leadership, as he guides it into a new and exciting phase of development.”
Daniel is currently Deputy Head of the Junior Department at Manor House, a position he has held for the last three years, in addition to his roles as English Co-ordinator and Junior French Teacher. During this time, he has overseen significant changes to the curriculum and assessment procedures, as well as serving as Acting Head of the Juniors during the summer term last year.