Susan taught English in secondary and preparatory schools for thirty six years and retired in August 2012 after thirteen years as Head of St Hilary’s, Surrey, (coeducational IAPS Nursery to 11+). After obtaining her London University English degree and her PGCE at Goldsmiths’ College, Susan began her career in secondary education at senior girls’ schools: St Catherine’s, Bramley, followed by Guildford High. Married with two sons, Susan made the move to preparatory schools, initially becoming Deputy Head at Falkner House, then Senior teacher and Head of English at Durston House. She is delighted to continue her involvement with Bute House as she was Deputy Head and Head of English prior to her headship. A trained, experienced inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, Susan served as Chair of the IAPS Inspections’ Committee. She has mentored and appraised Heads and, in the last twenty years, has served as a Governor of a co-educational preparatory school, an all boys’ prep school and an all-through girls’ school. She obtained an MA in children’s literature at Roehampton and is now Chair of the Children’s Books History Society and serves on the committee of IBBY (The International Board for Books for Young People) and IBIS (The Imaginative Book Illustration Society) carrying out research and enjoying reviewing books and writing articles for these organisations. She also keeps busy with her three young grandchildren in Suffolk.
