School prepares for major transition project
NEW APPOINTMENTS have been revealed to oversee the next chapter in the history of one of Yorkshire’s largest independent schools.
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is preparing for a move to create a single school community from age three to 18.
From September 2020, the school’s youngest pupils from nursery to Year 2, at Rose Court in Headingley, will be brought to the school’s main site at Alwoodley.
In anticipation of the move, two new vice principals have been appointed to oversee the process.
Gabrielle Solti will join GSAL as vice principal and head of primary school, to lead the new primary phase that will be formed by merging Rose Court and Junior School. Mrs Solti, who graduated in history from the University of Oxford, has a wealth of teaching experience in the state and independent sectors, in both coeducational and single sex schools.
She is currently based in London as head of the junior school at South Hampstead High, and has a strong connection to the area.
She is the daughter of Sir Georg and Lady Valerie Solti, who is an old girl of Leeds Girls’ High School, which merged with Leeds Grammar School to create GSAL in 2008.
The new vice principal and head of senior school will be Dr Graham Purves, who joins GSAL from Portsmouth Grammar School, where he is assistant head, teaching and learning.
Dr Purves is also an Oxford graduate and holds a PhD in atomic physics from Durham University.
He has experience in large, city-based independent schools where he has held leadership roles and been responsible for the implementation of digital learning for maximum impact in the classroom.
Principal Mrs Sue Woodroofe said: “We look forward to welcoming Gabrielle and Graham to GSAL in September.
“Both bring considerable experience, energy and enthusiasm to their roles and will be pivotal in rolling out the exciting developments we have planned for the future.”