Rowena will join Bradfield in September 2026 from St Edward’s School, Oxford where she has been the first female HM of Tilly’s house, one of the boys’ boarding houses. Rowena also attended St Edward’s as a pupil, where she was a Music Scholar playing the violin and singing before going on to study Biology at Durham University.
Rowena has had a varied career in education starting in recruitment in London before becoming the founding Science and Mathematics teacher at The Fulham Boys School. She earned her PGCE in Biology Teaching from UCL and went on to complete an M.Sc in Science Teaching at Oxford University, where her action research focused on improving practical work in science classrooms. She later became Head of Science at Gosford Hill School and D’Overbroeck’s where she helped develop the international science curriculum for Nord Anglia “project DNA” linked with MIT. Rowena is extremely passionate about STEM education and programs that inspire students to think creatively and link the curriculum to life.
Rowena believes that the boarding house should feel like an extension of home, where life is shared, supported and where pupils form friendships that last way beyond school. Rowena told us that, “Stanley House felt full of energy with a strong commitment from the girls to excel in everything that they do. There was a real sense of community at Bradfield where people looked out for one another.” Rowena’s own experience as a dyslexic child has shaped her as an educator and she believes that every pupil should feel supported to succeed. She hopes that the Stanley girls leave Bradfield feeling confident to pursue their true interests, follow unique patches and embrace who they are.
Outside the classroom, Rowena remains passionate about sport. She played netball for Durham University and later for Trinity Netball in the South Region league, and continues to coach netball and athletics. She loves skiing with her family as this is usually accompanied by a good deal of laughter. Rowena is married to Dan and they have two children, Iona and Magnus (who have named Stanley House the Pink Palace) and Pepper the dog, who loves snacks and cuddles and can’t wait to meet the girls in Stanley House.
