Meet the new headteacher of Battle Abbey Prep School, Bexhill

Former deputy head Nova Shoesmith will now take up the position as headmistress following the passing of Maria Maslin earlier this year.

David Clark, Battle Abbey School headmaster, said: “Much-loved former prep head Maria Maslin sadly lost her valiant battle with cancer over the summer and there was never any doubt that Nova would step up and be extremely capable in the role, having served as acting head during Maria’s struggle with illness and overseeing the school’s remote learning throughout lockdown.

“Nova will provide our parents with continuity and stability at this difficult time.

“Nova arrived from Bede’s School in 2014 bringing with her a wealth of experience in both Key Stage 1, 2 and in Early Years Provision.

“We are all suitably excited to see how Nova will bring her own brand of leadership and strategic thinking to the Prep School.”

Nova said: “Despite the sad news of Maria’s passing this summer there is much to be optimistic about with regard to the school’s future.

“We have a record number of 119 on role at the prep school. The nursery, based on the same site, is full in most rooms for most days and the prep is in fantastic financial shape, particularly during these uncertain times.

“Battle Abbey Prep School is regularly listed in the Times top 50 prep schools and in particular it’s the relationships between staff, pupils and parents that make the prep school such a unique place to work.

“I hope to continue to develop our services to parents and pupils through focused attention on academic achievement, to ensure all our pupils excel and reach their potential, whatever their starting point; through further development of our enrichment programme, give pupils the opportunity to explore, perform and think creatively beyond the academic curriculum, and to continue with our excellent pastoral care and consideration.

“I also plan to continue to develop personal wellbeing with the help of our school dog, Milo, and the future construction of a wellbeing garden.

“We have some further exciting plans for the future including radically overhauling the school’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) provision and facilities.

“The fact that we have the resources to invest in our pupils’ facilities is reassuring to the school and local community, firmly establishing the fact that Battle Abbey Prep School has a solid and secure future.

“As a Bexhill resident I’m very keen to develop strong links to Bexhill and the Bexhill community and would welcome any suggestions on how best we can further participate and assist in the area.

“I am delighted to be the next custodian of our family school and look forward to some exciting times ahead.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.