Ashville College has named Mark Lauder as its new Headmaster from September 2010.
Mark is currently the deputy headmaster of Felsted School, Essex, and will replace Andrew Fleck in the top role at the co-educational independent school at the beginning of the new school year.
The 41-year-old married father of two was appointed following a rigorous selection process which included a two-day visit to Ashville, where, among other things, he was interviewed by staff, pupils and governors before giving a detailed presentation to an interview panel.
Ashville College’s Chairman of Governors, Peter Holt, said: “During his 48 hours with us, and as in previous interviews, Mark demonstrated all the characteristics that we were looking for in our next headmaster; strong leadership skills, robust Christian values, personable, a commitment to independent co-education, a clear understanding of what makes Ashville unique and the vision to build on all that has been achieved previously.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, Mark is one of the best young heads in the country and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the Ashville family.”
Mark said: “I’m both honoured and truly delighted to be appointed Headmaster of Ashville College. During the interview process I got to meet not only members of staff but pupils too, and I was incredibly impressed by their attitude and outlook on life.
“Ashville has an excellent reputation and a proud history. I am looking forward with relish to joining this much-loved establishment next September and becoming part of the wider community.”
Mark was educated at Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh and studied at the University of Aberdeen where he achieved an MA Hons in English Literature and History. He spent a year at the University of Oregon as part of an American student exchange programme.
His first academic post was at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, as History Tutor for the American Exchange Course and he went on to become the Junior Dean of his college.
It was here that he gained an Oxford University Rowing Half Blue and completed research on James VI and Anglo-Scottish Diplomacy, 1578-1603.
A keen sportsman, Mark has coached rowing teams and was head coach of Oxford University’s Lightweight Rowing Club. He has also been a Rugby Coach and holds an RFU Teacher’s Certificate, Refereeing.
His hobbies include golf, walking, politics, choral singing and restoring his 17th Century Grade II Listed Parsonage in the Yorkshire Dales.
Mark is married to Caroline, who studied music at Leeds University and teaches saxophone and piano. The pair have two young sons, William, seven, and James, six.
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