Senior Appointments

Robert Robinson

Appointed Deputy Head of The British School in Rio de Janeiro

Robert Robinson has been appointed Deputy Head of The British School in Rio de Janeiro. Robert will take up this exciting new role on 1st January 2021 and we are absolutely delighted for both him and his family. Robert has made an extraordinary contribution to the pastoral life of Rossall School since arriving on the Fylde Coast in 2014. He is a true renaissance man insomuch as his skills and interests are wide ranging and it is the generosity of spirit with which he shares his enthusiasms that is so inspiring for colleagues and children alike.

Robert possesses pastoral instincts that have been refined by years of experience within UK boarding schools and this experience is complemented by the warmth, humour and compassion that he exudes without fail. His wise counsel has been much appreciated by so many of us and his solutions are always practical and well-considered. Edward, William and Sarah will remain with us until the end of the academic year but Robert begins his new adventure in January. Thank you is never enough for someone who has contributed so much. Above all else, Robert’s leadership of the pastoral dimension of school life has not only contributed to two very successful inspections but, more importantly, it has served to keep everyone within our community safe and well.

We wish Robert all the best in Rio de Janeiro and whilst he is lying on Copacabana Beach, we hope that he will remember the sunshine and gentle calming breezes of the Lancashire coast with fondness and a deep sense of accomplishment. Hopefully, Robert will be able to return for the Sixth Form Leavers Ball in June 2021 – though this time as a parent rather than as a slightly anxious master of ceremonies.

Dina Porovic

Appointed Senior Deputy Head of Rossall School

1st January 2021

On 1st January, 2021, Dina Porovic will assume the role of Senior Deputy Head here at Rossall School. Dina joined us in January 2019, after a highly successful career at some of the UK’s top performing independent Schools. She was Head of PSHE at St Albans’ School and Head of Maths at both the Stephen Perse Foundation and Brentwood School (where she later became Director of Teaching and Learning). Dina’s contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of Rossall has been immense and the fact that the academic life of the School is flourishing so brilliantly is in no small part due to her indefatigable energy and consistently high expectations. Her vision is global and, increasingly, Dina has been at the very heart of our educational response to the challenges that this year has presented.

Dina will retain leadership of the academic side of School life but she will assume additional responsibilities which will range from logistics to recruitment and regulatory compliance. Dina will deputise for me on occasions and she will continue to play a vital role in shaping the ethos, culture, and strategic ambition of the Senior School.

Marie-Louise Brown

Appointed Pastoral Deputy Head

(with effect from 1st September 2021)

The search for Robert’s replacement commenced in earnest at the beginning of September. We were fortunate to attract a very strong field of applicants (over 50) and this was whittled down to a very impressive shortlist by early October. The shortlist were interviewed by both students and key members of staff. David Ewart (Chair of the Education and Welfare Committee) represented Council on the panel. Throughout the process, Marie-Louise Brown impressed us with the clarity of her vision and warmth. Marie-Louise studied Philosophy at University College, London before teaching at the Anglo-European School in Ingatestone, where she was Director of the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Careers Programmes. Currently, Marie-Louise is Deputy Headteacher and Head of the International Section at Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz in Switzerland. Her experience of boarding, leadership of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and keen interest in mental health and student wellbeing makes her an ideal ‘fit’ for Rossall.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming Marie-Louise and her family to Rossall and I know parents will be eager to meet her in due course. I am delighted that we have made such a strong appointment and I know that Marie-Louise will resonate superbly well with all here at School.

Marie-Louise writes:

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Rossall community. My family and I are very much looking forward to meeting everyone on campus and fully immersing ourselves in the life of the school. It will be a real contrast to replace our existing views of the Alps with those of the Irish Sea, but both offer an important reminder of our closeness to nature. I would like to thank the members of the community whom I have already ‘met’ virtually for placing their trust in me. It is a privilege to join Rossall and we are tremendously excited for the future”.

Jonathan Cohen

Acting Senior Master and Director of COVID-19 Response

There will be an interregnum between Robert leaving and Marie-Louise arriving. Our Director of Boarding, Emma Williams is also Head of Safeguarding and you will be aware that our Heads of Years and Heads of Sections are responsible for all pastoral issues. However, we felt it prudent to ensure that we have additional ‘firepower’ during these times.

Consequently, we are pleased that Jonathan Cohen is now coordinating much of our response to COVID-19. In particular, he has assumed responsibility for track and trace, testing, risk assessments and Rossall Connect, our remote learning provision. Jonathan was Head of Plymouth College, Deputy Head (Staff and Co-curricular) at Brentwood School and Director of Professional Development at Haileybury. In Robert’s absence, we are extraordinarily fortunate to have such an experienced senior leader on board – not least because it enables us to continue focusing our attention on those aspects of school life which are so important.

Jonathan is here with his wife Clare, who is teaching across all three science departments. Their children Eleanor, Charlie and Josephine have joined the Junior School.

Jeremy Quartermain
Headmaster
6th November 2020