Est. 1936 · Bowdon, Cheshire altprep.co.uk — the main school website ↗

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Heads & Governors

Headmasters

APS has had ten headmasters over ninety years

P A Gaskell1936 – 1939

First Headmaster of APS, but called up to the forces in 1939.

Mr Hartington1939 – 1946

Headmaster through the Second World War.

Edward Mason1946 – 1966

One of the original Board, and served in a dual capacity as Chairman and Headmaster from 1946 to 1966.

John Reginald ThomsonSept 1966 – 1971

At his appointment, Mr Thomson stated he would serve five years before retirement, and he resigned in July 1971 for health reasons.

J LeighSept 1971 – July 1975

Left APS to take up a Deputy Head post at Berwick-upon-Tweed Senior School.

Ron J McCaySept 1975 – 1997

Ron served for 22 years and is still a name familiar to many pupils who passed through APS.

Eileen V ParrisSept 1997 – July 2000

Eileen was Deputy Head to Ron McCay for many years, before succeeding him as Head Teacher through until the turn of the Millennium.

Andrew C PottsSept 2000 – August 2018

One of the most influential Head Masters at APS. Andrew served for 18 years before his retirement in 2018.

Andrew WhittakerSept 2018 – 2021

Andrew was Head Master through Covid, and pioneered the (at that time very new) use of Zoom for assemblies in Lockdown.

Nick Vernon2021 – present

 

The Board of APS

Strong family connections, since the beginning

APS retains strong family connections with the men involved in the creation of the company — several of our serving Directors are sons or grandsons of the original 1936 team.

Andrew Hill1995 – present

Company Chairman, Chair of Governors. Grandson of Founder Governor.

Deborah Stephenson2017 – present

Company Vice Chairman, Vice Chair of Governors.

Arthur E Hill1975 – present

Director, Governor. Former Chairman. Son of Founder Governor.

Michael Furness1999 – present

Company Secretary, Governor.

John Davies2020 – present

Director and Governor. Headmaster of Leeds Grammar Junior School, Headmaster of Moorlands Prep School (retired).

Steve Sherratt2024 – present

Governor.

There have been only five Chairmen since 1936: W Hamblin (1936–1944 approx.), E Mason (1944–1976), A Hill (1976–1982), A E Hill (1982–2013) and A R Hill (2013–present). There have been even fewer Company Secretaries: J Furness (1936–1981), W M Furness (1981–2010) and M F Furness (2010–present).