Meet the Warden

Having graduated from New College, Oxford with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Emma started her career in teaching at Stowe School. She was a Housemistress to Sixth Form girls there before moving on to Canford School in Dorset to run a 13-18 day house in addition to teaching Economics and being responsible for Oxford and Cambridge entrance.   In 2001, Emma was appointed Admissions Tutor and then Senior Mistress at Dean Close Senior School and worked there for six years before taking up the Headship of Christ College, Brecon, the first female Head in that School’s 475 year history.

During her 10 years at Christ College, Emma oversaw the enhancement of academic results, expansion of school numbers, significant building work including new facilities for Science and Creative Arts, the opening of a Junior School and a partnership with a Malaysian company to open a sister school in Kuala Lumpur.

Emma is a champion for co-education, for the benefits of boarding, and for both excellence and inclusivity inside and outside the classroom.

Emma has a range of interests: an avid fan of rugby and cricket, she enjoys music and theatre, loves to read and occasionally forces herself to go running.

Emma’s Christian faith is an important part of her life and she enjoys engaging in discussions about the relevance of faith to modern life, particularly the lives of young people.

Knowing Dean Close well, Emma was delighted to take up the leadership of the Foundation at an exciting time in its development, with ambitious and inspiring development work planned and with growing and deepening relationships between the family of schools and nurseries, now offering outstanding care and education from the first months of life into adulthood.