Following a thorough recruitment process, the Governors are delighted to announce that Mrs Sonal Chatrath has been appointed as Head of John Lyon Prep School (Quainton Hall) from 1st January 2024.

After Mr Simon Ford’s letter to parents earlier this term, announcing his well-deserved plans for retirement and family relocation from the end of the 2023 autumn term, the Governing body set in place a robust plan to appoint a replacement, who would align well with the Prep School community and our 3-18 one-school approach. We are therefore very pleased to be able to announce such a worthy successor for Mr Ford.

Mrs Chatrath is currently the Deputy Head Academic at Danes Hill School in Surrey, an excellent co-educational prep school well-known for its academic prowess yet well-rounded holistic approach. She has over a decade of hands-on experience in senior leadership roles at prep schools, including seven years at Danes Hill School, where she worked her way up from Director of Learning Support and Assistant Deputy Head Academic to become Deputy Head Academic. Prior to this, Mrs Chatrath was Head of Prep at Manor House School in Surrey.

Upon accepting the role, Mrs Chatrath said, “I am thrilled to have been chosen to lead John Lyon Prep School (Quainton Hall). The Prep is a real family and community School, and this was important for me. The recent amalgamation with John Lyon Senior School and the academic, pastoral and co-curricular strategic direction enticed me to this role. Meeting pupils, parents and staff from Quainton’s Little Lyons Nursery right up to our Year 6s, is something I am very excited about. John Lyon School is unique in being part of something much bigger: as a key constituent of John Lyon’s Foundation and a member of the Harrow Family of Schools mean that we are more than just your typical school. I cannot wait to get started!”

Mr Giles Goodfellow KC, Chairman of Governors, added: “With her extensive prep school experience, across a number of senior level roles, the Governors firmly believe that Mrs Chatrath is exceptionally well-suited to lead John Lyon Prep School. She is very well versed in preparing children for the best senior schools in the country and has also worked with children not only in early years settings but also up to the age of 13. This experience will prove invaluable for us as we look to strengthen links – with particular focus on the smooth transition for pupils – between our Prep and Senior divisions. Mrs Chatrath will work closely with Mrs Hardy, the incoming Head of John Lyon School, to enhance our academic output, maintain our exceptional pastoral care and champion our unrivalled pursuits beyond the classroom. Mrs Chatrath joins us at an exciting time in our School’s history and she will drive us forward to maintain our position as North West London’s leading 3-18 co-educational school.”

We look forward to welcoming Mrs Chatrath to central Harrow when she takes up her new post at the start of 2024.