Simon Detre takes the reins as Interim Headmaster, leading our Summer ‘Jubilee’ Term
27 April 2022
We are pleased to announce Simon Detre, a highly regarded senior member of staff at The Beacon, as our interim Headmaster for the Summer term. Simon has been working closely with Will Phelps for the past four years as Deputy Head (Academic & Digital). He has been appointed as Headmaster to take the reins from Will in the interim, prior to our incoming Headmaster, Nick Baker, who is starting in July in preparation for the September 2022-2023 academic year.
Simon Detre BA QTS, was educated at Ampleforth College and King’s College in London. He started his teaching career at Westminster Abbey Choir School where he taught the choristers who sing at major events such as royal weddings.
Simon has since gained an enjoyable twenty years’ experience of boys’ prep schools. He has developed a real passion for boys’ prep schools over the years, and being the father of three Beacon-educated boys, he knows a lot about them both from a Teacher and parent-perspective.
“I want Beacon boys to have the chance to try out lots of different opportunities and discover their strengths throughout life. We all have different gifts and the many opportunities on offer at The Beacon school allow boys to develop their passions and interests, leaving school with skills that I believe will remain with them for life.”
Simon is renowned for spearheading The Beacon school’s response to COVID-19, creating the digital #BeaconExcellenceOnline initiative, which was highly successful for online learning, and has won high praise from our parents.
As an Independent Schools Inspectorate inspector himself, Simon knows how tough the parameters are in grading prep schools across a range of categories. He is absolutely thrilled that The Beacon has received such a glowing report during his time at the school. He says “The 2022 report encapsulates the essence of such a wonderful school, our ethos and our extraordinary Beacon boys and community”. Click here to read our latest report, which is EXCELLENT in all areas.
Finally, Simon is delighted to be making lots of exciting plans next term, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee coinciding with his Headship, he has renamed the term our ‘Summer Jubilee Term’. The Beacon will be hosting a Jubilee ‘Picnic in the Quad’ as a highlight celebratory event for the whole school to enjoy, including performances and various activities scheduled, plus a Great British Cake Sale run by the Beacon Parents’ Society. Watch this space for confirmation of plans…
A warm welcome to Simon as our Summer ‘Jubilee’ Term Headmaster!