Meet our new Head

We are delighted to introduce Tim O’Connell as the new Head of Hatherop Castle School, joining us in January 2027.

Tim brings extensive experience of school leadership, having been Head of two schools as well as Head of Boarding. He is an experienced and ambitious educator, with a strong track record of developing schools while keeping the individual child at the heart of everything he does.

Tim is currently Head of Heywood Prep, an independent co-ed prep school in Wiltshire and a fellow member of the Wishford Education group. During his time at Heywood, he has led a programme of continuous improvement across the school, strengthening both its academic and wider provision. This culminated in the school being awarded a Significant Strength (the highest award possible) in its December 2025 ISI inspection, recognising its tailored approach to learning and the way the curriculum adapts to the needs of each individual child.

Tim has also overseen the development of Heywood’s sports provision, which has grown to a level of consistent excellence, with teams regularly competing at national level. An enthusiastic sportsman himself, he is passionate about the role that sport and co-curricular opportunities play in helping children to develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

It is this focus on the individual child that Tim is particularly keen to bring to Hatherop. Looking ahead to joining the school community, he says:

“I’m really excited to get to know all the children; I want to understand what excites them and what inspires them, and what makes each of them unique.”

That curiosity about children, together with his experience of leading successful schools and his commitment to continuous improvement, will be central to Tim’s approach at Hatherop. He is looking forward to getting to know our pupils, families and staff, and to building on the many strengths of the school as we look to the future together.

Tim has already begun spending time at Hatherop, learning more about the school community ahead of his arrival.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming Tim to Hatherop Castle in January 2027.

For more information, please do get in touch with the school office. By phone: 01285 750206, by email: admissions@hatheropcastle.co.uk, or make an online enquiry using the button below.