Meet our Head Elect, Rhian Thornton…

Mark Jiskoot, Chair of the Board of Governors, is delighted to announce that the new Head of Somerhill will be Rhian Thornton.

The search for the new Head was hugely competitive. We partnered with Odgers Berndtson, a leading executive search company with a dedicated schools practice.  Twenty high-calibre and well-qualified individuals applied, and this ensured we found the person with the right skills and experience to complement our valued and unique educational offering at Somerhill. Rhian emerged as the outstanding candidate with her commitment to excellence, her ability to think strategically and her visionary approach for Somerhill.

Rhian is originally from Wales and gained both her BA and PGCE from the University of Wales, Cardiff. She has had an impressive career in education for over thirty years, working in both the state and private sector. She has been a headteacher for twenty years, most recently at Upton House School in Windsor where she has been for the last nine years. She is a nominated and active member of the IAPS Education Committee, a governor at two prep schools in south-west London and a Local Leader in Education (LLE), previously working with schools in Surrey to raise standards with the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

Rhian is married to Marcus and together they have three children, a son and two daughters, all of whom are boarders at secondary schools in the south-east. “Excellence everywhere, happy children, high academic standards and a strong sense of community are at the heart of my leadership,” says Rhian. “Somerhill is clearly an incredible school, with many strengths and a wonderful community. I am excited to grow and lead the school and work in partnership with parents, staff and governors to ensure all pupils thrive during their time at the school, creating special memories along the way.”

“We are excited to welcome Rhian to our Somerhill community. Throughout her career, Rhian has pursued excellence for her pupils and has carefully nurtured educational environments to promote strong relationships between staff, pupils and families,” says Mark Jiskoot. “One of our long-standing aims at Somerhill has been to foster a warm, happy and supportive school where our vision of confident, curious and resilient children may be realised. With her dedication to and passion for prep and pre-prep education, Rhian is the perfect Head to further our vision and lead Somerhill forward to its next chapter.”

As Head Elect, Rhian will begin working immediately with both the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Governors and, while in transition, will attend various events at Somerhill during the Trinity and Michaelmas terms to meet the pupils, staff and the wider school community. She will spend more time at Somerhill from January 2026 and officially take on the Head role full-time from April 2026.