Dr Emma Margrett, currently Head of the Prep School at Radnor House Sevenoaks, will take on the role of Head of Westminster Abbey Choir School from January 2024, having been selected from a very strong field of candidates provided by Charlotte Faber and her team at RSAcademics.

Emma read Theology and Religious Studies at Bristol University, then worked in international trade finance for several years before studying for an MPhil in Development Studies at Pembroke College, Oxford. Having realised that her true vocation lay in teaching she took on various roles, starting her career at the highly selective Townley Grammar School whilst also completing an MA in Religious Education at King’s College, London, before going onto roles at Benenden School and Mayfield School. As Deputy Head at Lingfield College Prep from 2013, Emma had responsibility for the academic direction of the school. She then moved to St Edmund’s Canterbury, taking on the role of Head of Junior School where she was also Headmistress for the choristers at Canterbury Cathedral. Most recently, Emma has been Head of the Prep School at Radnor House, since September 2020.

Emma trained as an ISI Inspector in 2014 and has worked on a number of inspections for ISI since that time. She completed a Doctorate in Education in 2017 and was recognised as a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2019 for her contribution to the profession.

On Emma’s appointment as the Abbey’s first female Head, the Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle said: “We ran a challenging process, saw some good people and met one outstanding candidate in Emma Margrett. Emma performed well in every aspect of the application process, landed very well with the staff, taught an excellent lesson and impressed two panels of interviewers.”