Carmel O’Dolan has been appointed as Head of Guildhouse School, London, part of the CATS Global Schools Group, assuming the permanent position from September 2023.
Carmel has been a teacher for over 25 years, 12 of which are as a Head Teacher. She has held senior leadership positions at independent and international schools in the UK and Kenya and has in-depth knowledge of delivering the British National Curriculum.
Carmel is passionate about encouraging teacher-led curriculum development guided through individual or small-group coaching. She prides herself on helping students achieve their very best, with one of her previous students achieving the highest A level grade in Kenya for Business Studies. With a whole-school approach, Carmel ensures that life in boarding is enriching, homely, and supportive, with systems in place to promote pupil and staff welfare.
Carmel holds a BEd (Hon) in Business Education from Manchester Metropolitan University, a Master of Arts: School Development from Canterbury Christ Church University and also has a National Professional Qualification in Headship.
Talking about her appointment, Carmel says:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the Guildhouse School’s next Head, joining a global community in the heart of London.
I believe a school’s greatest strength lies within its staff, staff motivated by the success of their pupils. This is something that I saw in spades at Guildhouse School.
I’m looking forward to getting to know colleagues, students, parents, and partners and helping Guildhouse go from strength to strength as the school where change-makers are made.”
Craig Wilson, Managing Director School of CATS Global Schools, adds:
“Carmel is an experienced teacher and leader, and her passion for the profession shone through during the interview. Carmel is not only an experienced teacher, mentor coach, and public speaker but someone who has whole-school experience and values the contribution of everyone that makes up a school community. I am confident that she is the right person to take Guildhouse on the next steps of its journey. I’m delighted to welcome her to our community at CATS Global Schools.”
Carmel starts on 1 August 2023, taking over the reins from Craig Wilson and Jason Lewis who will be leading the school during the summer term
