The John Lyon School - Headmasters and Headmistresses

Headmasters and Headmistresses

O. A. Le Beau, 1926–1951

R. F. Boyd Campbell, 1951–1968

G. V. "Gus" Surtees, 1968–1982

David Dixon, 1982–1986

David Dixon provided an important impetus to the pastoral side of the school, leaving to take up a post at Brentwood School.

Reverend Tim Wright, 1986–2001

Wright undertook numerous large construction projects. The first of these was the Lyon Building in the late 1980s, which provided the school with a large modern teaching facility set into the side of Harrow-on-the-Hill with a large hall, the Boyd Campbell Hall, which could now adequately accommodate school assemblies. The second large project undertaken was the construction of the Pavilion at the Sudbury games field in 1993. This facility included multiple changing rooms, showers and a canteen which allowed students to prepare for games in a comfortable and modern facility. In 1997, the school added an extension of the Main Building, providing extra science laboratories and a drama studio; a new Sports Hall and Swimming Pool; new library, and redevelopment of the old sports hall. This ambitious development of facilities was possibly at the expense of developments in the curriculum and elsewhere as noted by the school inspectors in 1998.

Dr Christopher Ray, 2001–2004

Dr Ray, from King's College School, Wimbledon, took over in September 2001 after Rev. Wright's retirement. Under Dr Ray the school reformed its curriculum, introducing Italian, Spanish, Psychology, Critical Thinking, and Music Technology, while temporarily removing Classics (Latin) and Design and Technology. Dr Ray implemented much change at the school which was accepted by some but disapproved of by others. Dr Ray departed to become High Master of Manchester Grammar School.

David Rimmer, 2004

David Rimmer, Deputy Headmaster to Christopher Ray, acted as head while the school awaited the arrival of a new headmaster. Albeit short, it was felt that his tenure as Headmaster was nevertheless deserved, as a long-standing member of staff who had managed to gain the total respect of both boys and teachers. During Dr Ray's last year in the school, preparations were made for an inspection which took place shortly after his departure. The school received a largely positive report from the inspectors who said the school was now good or very good in most of the areas which the last report had deemed required attention. The inspectors also noted that the school was making good progress in other areas.

Kevin Riley, January 2005 – 2009

Kevin Riley, previously Headmaster of the Bristol Cathedral Choir School, assumed the headship of the John Lyon School in January 2005. He resigned the post at the end of the 2008–2009 academic year in order to assume the headship of Harrow International School, Bangkok. On 18 February 2011 it was announced that Mr Riley would become the Headmaster of Bradford Grammar School upon the retirement of Stephen Davidon in December 2011.

Miss Katherine Haynes, 2009 – (incumbent)

Miss Katherine Haynes became Head of The John Lyon School in 2009. Formerly Head of Mathematics at Warwick School HMC, and previously at Edgbaston High School for Girls GSA in Birmingham. An inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate. She was educated at Oxford High School GDST, as an undergraduate at the University of Warwick and as a postgraduate at the University of Birmingham. She has been a Governor at Orley Farm School since 2009. Her interests include travel and gardening.