Chair of Governors, David Hallé, has announced the appointment of Laura Stotesbury as the new Head of St Joseph’s, from September 2021. Laura joins from Prior Park College in Bath and will take over as Head from Andrew Colpus, who has successfully led St Joseph’s for the last eight years.

Laura Stotesbury is currently Deputy Head (Academic) at Prior Park College in Bath, where she has been employed since September 2015. As a teacher of Economics and Business, she has also held roles at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School, Bristol, Malvern College and Bedford School.

Commenting on the appointment, David Hallé, said: “We were delighted to have such a strong field of candidates for the role of Head at St Joseph’s. In Laura we have found someone with a deep faith, a clear vision and an infectious enthusiasm; someone with a real sense of vocation, not only to teaching but to everything she commits to in life. Most importantly, we can be confident that Laura will build on St Joseph’s past and create an exciting and success-filled future for this very special school.

“I would like to pay tribute to Andrew Colpus and all that he has achieved over the last eight years in transforming St Joseph’s into a thriving, co-educational school. Academic results improve year on year, and the College was rated as one of the top 60 schools (state and independent) in the country for the value-added progress between GCSE and A Levels in both 2018 and 2019. During Andrew’s stewardship, St Joseph’s was named TES Independent School of the Year in November 2015 and Andrew was recognised as one of the top 25 influencers and innovators in education by iExcellence in April 2019. He has made a huge contribution to the success of the College and on behalf of our whole community, I wish him all the very best in his retirement.”

Laura Stotesbury added: “I was drawn to apply to St Joseph’s because of its strong Catholic and Christian ethos. The size of the College is most appealing as it enables every member of the community to be known, and to thrive. I have been impressed by the College’s remote Music concerts, Drama showcases and Art exhibitions – St Joseph’s students are truly talented.”

Outgoing Headmaster, Andrew Colpus, said: “It has been a real privilege to have led St Joseph’s through a significant period of change from a girls school with 350 pupils to the fully co-educational school of today, with numbers fast approaching 600 boys and girls.

“I look forward to working closely with Laura during the coming months to ensure a smooth handover. St Joseph’s pupils, staff, alumni and friends are very dear to my heart and I look forward to watching the College continue to go from strength to strength under Laura’s leadership.”