Hurst has had a few changes in the leadership structure of the College meaning that from this month Tim Manly, who joined as Headmaster in January 2005, will assume the role of College Principal. During Tim Manly’s stewardship, Hurst has evolved into a very attractive destination for families and, as a result, has doubled in size and changed profoundly without losing any of its core strengths in terms of characteristics and personality

Tim explains to the Foundation team the reasons for this new leadership.

“We have experienced not only huge growth of the College – we now have some 1300 pupils at the school - but also increasing complexity in the form of the newly formed Hurst Education Trust. The HET is a Multi Academy Trust made up of Albourne Primary, St Margaret’s Primary in Ditchling and St Wilfrid’s Primary in Haywards Heath and I and the Governors felt that a new structure was required which would enable us to embark on this next chapter successfully.”

Tim explained that he would lead a Senior Leadership Team made up of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Head of College, whilst the Senior Management Team is led by Dominic Mott as Head of College.

He also outlined why the Hurst Education Trust had been formed:

“First of all, I feel strongly that this is the right thing to do - particularly given the gulf that has opened up between the Independent and Maintained sectors in the last few years. Second, I believe that this Trust will be to the benefit of the pupils and staff at Hurst as well as those in the Trust schools because the collaboration will broaden our Hurst horizons and help to counterbalance the occasionally “bubble” nature of this place. Third, I feel it is extremely important that we are integrated within our local community and playing our part. Finally, it should be remembered that we are a charitable institution and though this can be manifested in a range of ways, I have long felt that this is absolutely what we as a listed charity should be undertaking by way of public benefit.

He went on to explain that the Hurst Education Trust is technically a Multi Academy Trust formed by a joint venture between Hurst and the Diocese of Chichester. The Hurst Education Trust (HET) is a separate entity from the College though the Trustees are made up of a mixture of Hurst people and those from the Diocese. Essentially, Hurst will be running the schools within the Trust though they will be funded centrally by the Department of Education and they will also themselves contribute to the cost of their management.

Exciting times for Hurst!

New Head of College

Dominic joined the Senior Leadership Team as Head of the Senior School in September 2015 and now steps up to become Head of College here at Hurst (from Reception to Upper Sixth), to include the day to day leadership of the College itself.

Dominic was educated at Shrewsbury School before going to Sandhurst where he was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets. He subsequently read Modern and Medieval Languages at Queens’ College, Cambridge where he was Boat Club Captain. Before entering the world of education, Dominic worked in a number of fields, including market research, investment banking and politics. Dominic started his teaching career at Highgate School before being promoted to Head of Spanish at Sevenoaks School, eventually running the Modern Languages Faculty. He is a keen sportsman and marathon runner and enjoys supporting a wide range of co-curricular activities such as the CCF and school ski trips, for which he is a qualified instructor.

He says “What first struck me about Hurst was that there is a real sense of community; it is almost tangible and is one of the many reasons why I feel so privileged to work here. Nowhere is that better exemplified than the way we start and end our working week together, gathered as a whole school. Hurst pupils learn the importance of developing certain values; a sense of duty, an awareness of right and wrong, and a respect for others.

He goes on to explain “Not only do our pupils achieve their personal bests in whichever field they choose, these activities also assist their development as rounded, accomplished, ambitious individuals who make a real success of their lives after they leave.”