I am delighted to let you know that after a rigorous recruitment process, Mr Grant Woolner, has been appointed as Deputy Head (Academic) from September 2023, succeeding Mr Ian Vallance on his retirement after eight years of exceptional service.
Mr Woolner joins us from Shiplake College where he is currently Master of Scholars and Head of Theology and Philosophy, where he also holds responsibility for the College’s Oxbridge programme, previously having chaired the Humanities Faculty Group. Mr Woolner is a long serving academic leader whose experience also includes being the Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the Perse School, time teaching at the City of London School and three years as Assistant Housemaster in a co-educational boarding House at Bedford School.
In addition to an MA in Divinity from the University of Edinburgh, Mr Woolner also holds a PGCE from York, St John. His interests include diverse and adventurous travel, which I am sure our pupils look forward to hearing all about, alongside running and avid reading. He currently manages the College cross-country team and enjoys coaching junior rugby, football and cricket, which he will no doubt wish to continue when he joins Luckley.
Mr Woolner comments “I am utterly delighted to be joining the Luckley House community, with its strong academic and spiritual ethos, and look forward to helping its young men and women strive to reach their ambitions.”
I know that you will join me in welcoming Mr Woolner to Luckley, who joins Mrs Woolner, who is of course already well established in our community, alongside their young daughter Persephone.
Mr Woolner has a proven track record of bringing out the best in young people, whatever their ambitions might be, and I have no doubt he will continue to do so as a member of our community here at Luckley House.
Areti Bizior, Head
