Rebecca Perdrix
Wells,Somerset
Summary
Rebecca Perdrix is a distinguished educational leader who combines her compassionate yet driven leadership style and high-level strategic understanding with deep expertise of pedagogy, child development and neuroscience. As Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery at Wells Cathedral School, she transformed her department into a centre of excellence, achieving the highest possible inspection grades, the school's highest parental satisfaction ratings and whilst maintaining a profitable, oversubscribed nursery provision.
An integral member of the Senior Management Team, Rebecca possesses a sophisticated understanding of the operational side of running a 2-18 day and boarding music and Cathedral school on a complex and unique historic site and can extend this to school governance, employment law and financial operations. Her influence extends nationally as a Team Inspector for the ISI and as the National Subject Advisor for Pre-Prep and Early Years for IAPS. As a "hugely valued and respected" leader, she balances executive responsibilities with active classroom teaching, modelling excellence for staff and students alike. Rebecca is an eloquent public speaker and a visionary strategist committed to unearthing the unique potential of the "whole child" in the changing world.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
8
8
Years of senior leadership experience
Work history
Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery
Wells Cathedral School
Wells, Somerset
2020.09 - Current
Lead, inspire and collaborative with the Pre-Prep and Nursery team, designing a creative, multi-sensory curriculum that fosters a love of learning, nurtures each child's development and promotes excellent outcomes through innovative and engaging experiences.
As the named leader for Early Years, including as Pre-Prep DSL, I hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring full compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, welfare, and developmental provision.
As part of the Senior Management Team, I represent the EYFS and KS1 perspective in strategic planning, contributing to whole-school policy, operations and development. I am included in all whole school matters and have an experience and understanding of a range of nuanced matters in a 2-18 day and boarding school which is also a world class music school. My experience at this complex school has given me a range of skills that can be applied across a range of settings.
Head of Pre-Prep Development
Wells Cathedral School
Wells, Somerset
2017.09 - 2020.08
As Head of EYFS and Key Stage 1 Development and Strategy , I was responsible for leading the long-term planning, transition, and progression of learning from EYFS into the Prep School. This leadership role involves driving departmental growth through the expansion of nursery provision (including expanding our nursery to take from two years old), evaluating recruitment opportunities, and overseeing marketing and outreach initiatives such as toddler groups and open days. As a member of the Senior Management Team, I represented the Pre-Prep, facilitated staff professional development through external networking, and ensured the learning environment aligned with the school's strategic vision. Key operational duties include acting as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, proofreading student reports, feeding into the performance development review process, and ensuring full compliance with statutory regulations and inspection frameworks.
Reception Class teacher
Wells Cathedral School
Wells, Somerset
2011.09 - 2017.08
As a full-time Reception Class Teacher and EYFS Curriculum Coordinator, I acted as a catalyst for innovation, inspiring the team to develop provision in alignment with current pedagogical research. I liaised closely with the Nursery to facilitate secure transitions and to ensure children achieve their potential across all Early Learning Goals. During this time I had a dual responsibility as EYFS SENCo. Drawing on my background in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, I designed a multi-sensory curriculum that prioritized the "whole child" and stimulated optimal neural development during critical early years.
Reception Class teacher
Banks Road Infant & Nursery School
Toton, Nottinghamshire
2010.09 - 2011.08
Completed my NQT year. Left due to maternity leave tenure ending.
Education
Master of Arts - Education
2010.09 - 2012.08
QTS (SCITT in Outstanding Primary Schools) in Primary Teacher Training
2009.09 - 2010.08
Bachelor of Science - Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
2006.09 - 2009.08
Skills
Strategic Skills:
- Visionary Leadership: Proven track record in instilling a consistent vision across Pre-Prep and Nursery teams, empowering staff to reach their full potential while fostering a positive, high-energy culture
- Strategic Planning: Extensive experience in whole-school development, aligning Pre-Prep strategy with broader institutional goals, financial governance, and long-term expansion projects
- Business Acumen: Successfully led a Nursery model that operates at a profit with a consistent waiting list, including the development of plans for new facilities and the potential for international franchising
- Change Management: Effectively managed leadership restructures, department-wide curriculum overhauls, and significant improvements to outdoor infrastructure and physical environments
Educational Expertise & Child Development
- Neuroscience-Educational Integration: Leverages a background in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience to design multi-sensory curricula that prioritises optimal neural development and individual developmental milestones and instils a love of learning
- Curriculum Innovation: Expert in modernising EYFS and KS1 provision, including the high-impact implementation of frameworks such as Planning in the Moment, Continuous Provision in KS1, Talk for Writing and White Rose Maths
- Regulatory/Compliance Knowledge and Quality Control: Deep expertise in EYFS compliance, ISI inspection frameworks, and statutory requirements for all school matters, from EYFS to NMS boarding
- SEND & Inclusion: Experienced Early Years SENCo , skilled in early identification and the implementation of tailored support strategies to ensure inclusive, high-attaining environments
- Pets as Therapy therapy dog handler
National Influence & Quality Assurance
- Inspection & Standards: Actively serves as a Team and Reporting Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), providing high-level quality assurance for schools nationally
- District Representative: Serves as the District 4 Pre-Prep Representative for IAPS , liaising with Heads of Pre-Prep, Prep and IAPS head office
- National Advisory: Serves as the National Subject Advisor for Pre-Prep and Early Years for IAPS, facilitating best practice and networking for colleagues across the South West and beyond
- Consultant and Trainer - Has delivered seminars and training sessions on a range of matters from curriculum to leadership
- Safeguarding Leadership: Experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for over six years, ensuring a robust culture of safety and welfare for the youngest learners
Stakeholder Engagement & Communications
- Parental Partnership: Proven ability to build deep-rooted trust with families; achieved the highest parental satisfaction ratings in the school through transparent, engaging communication and community events
- Public Speaking & Marketing: An eloquent public speaker and presenter, experienced in leading tours for prospective families and managing the outward digital and social image of the school
- Collaborative Influence: A respected member of Senior Management Teams (SMT) with a reputation for being a "cheerful encourager", whilst being respected, and a catalyst for cross-departmental collaboration
Affiliations
- Musical Theatre - performing and watching
- Singing and performing
- Walking in the Countryside with my dogs
- Reading
- Travelling
- Ancient and Medieval History
Timeline
Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery - Wells Cathedral School
2020.09 - Current
Head of Pre-Prep Development - Wells Cathedral School
2017.09 - 2020.08
Reception Class teacher - Wells Cathedral School
2011.09 - 2017.08
Reception Class teacher - Banks Road Infant & Nursery School
2010.09 - 2011.08
The University of Nottingham - Master of Arts, Education
2010.09 - 2012.08
The University of Nottingham - , QTS (SCITT in Outstanding Primary Schools) in Primary Teacher Training
2009.09 - 2010.08
The University of Nottingham - Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
2006.09 - 2009.08