EVOLUTION, not revolution.

That is the message from James Priory, the new Tonbridge School headmaster.

Leaving from his position as headmaster of Portsmouth Grammar School, he moved from the south coast with his family just three weeks ago.

On his view of Tonbridge School from the outside, Mr Priory, 45, explained: “My perception, and I think that was then borne out by starting to visit, was it is a very proud school. It is a school that’s clearly held in high regard, regionally, as well as nationally and internationally.
People are very proud to say they work here and that is really noticeable and not to be underestimated, actually.”

Describing his first impressions of the school, the former English teacher said: “Certainly, there are surprising traits of humility in a school that does things to the standard that it does.

“It is quite surprising actually that this is not a school that is looking to make a big noise about what it does but wants to enjoy what is does.

“So, I suppose, coming here now, I’m hoping to build on that. I don’t want to disrupt the loveliness of that, but equally, I think there probably are some things we can afford to celebrate a bit more publicly, without, I hope, upsetting the balance of being a school that takes pride in doing things well and genuinely is compassionate, rather than being arrogant.”

On the specific areas he wants to see more celebrated, Mr Priory said: “The music, the sport the drama. I think people probably recognise those are good but things like the community action that goes on here and the outreach. I think that’s known about locally, but I don’t think that necessarily, nationally, people would realise that Tonbridge is being as innovative as it is because, again, it’s borne and accepted relatively quietly, with modesty.

I don’t want to upset that but I wouldn’t want people to think that Tonbridge was other than it is because there is a risk that people think Tonbridge might be a superior place, or is smugly self-satisfied, which is not the case, or maybe think that Tonbridge is not doing as much as it is, in terms of its interaction with the community.”

The high fees at Tonbridge - £13,482 per term for boarders – are well-known and Mr Priory is keen to reduce the financial barrier facing pupils, who might ordinarily be unable to attend the school.

He explained: “The widening access agenda I think is an area where this is some really good work going on, but everyone would recognise there is potential for more.

“How do we make it possible for more people to contribute to and benefit from a Tonbridge education, who otherwise would not be able to do that because of financial means?

“We have the Foundation Scholarship programme and bursaries associated with that.

“One of the things I’m really hoping to do is try and now bring that even more to the fore, particularly as the development has seen quite a lot of capital change in the school, in terms of facilities.

“I think there’s an opportunity to really direct our energies towards fundraising towards a more significant, extensive bursary programme.”
Tonbridge School’s former headmaster, Tim Haynes, retired this summer after 13 years.

On the advice he was given by his predecessor, Mr Priory said: “His advice really was, you are inheriting a school in great heart. There will be things you want to see and want to do over time, of course. We talked about those and they are also for me to find out and see for myself.

“I think his main advice was, simply, enjoy it because he has loved his time here and there is something very distinctive and special about what Tonbridge offers.

“As a family, I think we are already feeling it.”