Surbiton High School is delighted to welcome Mrs Paula McIntyre as the new Head of the Girls’ Preparatory School, starting in September 2025. With a strong background in education, and a deep commitment to pupil well-being, Mrs McIntyre brings a wealth of experience, a clear educational vision, and a passion for nurturing a vibrant, inclusive school community. Inspired by a lifelong love of teaching and motivated by the joy of seeing children thrive, she is excited to lead the Girls’ Preparatory School. To learn more about her background, values, and aspirations for the Girls’ Preparatory School, we sat down with Mrs McIntyre for a Q&A ahead of her arrival.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education, and what motivates you in your day-to-day work?
Although I had always thought about teaching, unsurprisingly, as I had spent many years as a very small child sitting next to my blackboard, ‘teaching’ my teddies, I hadn’t personally had the most positive experience at school. After completing an English degree, I enrolled on a PGCE in secondary English with some trepidation. However, my trepidation was unfounded; once I stepped into the classroom, I loved it and realised I could make sure that the children I taught had a very different experience of school. I wanted them to enjoy learning and not be afraid to get anything wrong, to know that if they made a mistake, I would be there to help them. Seeing children make progress and experience those light bulb moments was and still is the best feeling, and is what motivates me.
What are some of your formative moments in your teaching career?
Despite loving teaching, due to a relocation to the south, I took a break from the classroom and worked in industry as an Assistant Operations Manager in a recruitment firm and then as a Resource Manager at PwC. After approximately 5 great years at PwC, I paused to reflect on what I was doing, and although I really enjoyed my job, I knew it wasn’t what I was meant to be doing or had intended to do. I had always wanted a career where I felt I made a difference, and that just wasn’t it. Following that decision, I completed a return to teaching course and returned to the classroom. I will never forget stepping back in front of a class and feeling fulfilled again as I knew what I had been missing.
A stage in my career that I will always look back on very fondly and gratefully is when I worked at St George’s in Weybridge. Working there as Head of English, I was so fortunate to work with an incredibly committed and supportive team who, at every opportunity,y went the extra mile for the children they taught. They were such an outstanding team because everyone helped and supported each other in their roles, which not only made the job so much more enjoyable and easier, but it also made a significant difference to the children at the school. Many years later, we are all still in contact and still remain a great support for each other. This has left a lasting effect on me as a leader as I have seen the tangible benefit and results of such a strong team, and it is something which motivates me to always seek to achieve in leading a school.
What appealed to you about the role at the Girls’ Prep School?
Surbiton has an outstanding reputation, and having worked in the area for most of my career, I have been very aware of how successful the school is, and the opportunity to work within the team of the whole school and lead the Girls’ Prep School is such a wonderful opportunity.
During the interview process, as soon as I walked into Surbiton High Girls’ Prep, it felt surprisingly familiar and felt like home. There was an immediate warmth, a sense of belonging, and an excitement about learning that I could feel throughout the school. It felt like the type of school I wish I had attended as a child. The sense of community, the love of learning, and the focus on each child’s individual journey are all things I value highly.
What values are most important to you?
Respect, community and courage are hugely important. I put them in that order deliberately as respect must come first to ensure that everyone plays their part in creating the right environment for each child to thrive and lays the foundation for a strong and healthy community. During the interview process, I spoke to the girls about courage, as this is what will help them to not only achieve their very best but to also make a difference in the world. Thinking differently, following your dreams, and leading change all take courage, as it is so much easier to follow the crowd. I want the girls at Surbiton High Prep to have the courage to go out into the world ready to make a difference and be a force for good.
What is your vision for the school, and how do you plan to build on its existing strengths?
Surbiton High Girls’ Prep is a wonderful school, but I will be looking for every opportunity to build on this as I want the school to be the best it can be for the whole school community, children, staff and parents. There are so many positive aspects to the school, but we can never become complacent, but should always reflect and look forward, never settle for what we have always done or what was great today. I want us to be always looking forward, seeking ways to improve. I will do all that I can to ensure that Surbiton High Girls’ Prep continues to be a great place to work and a school which we are all proud of- selfishly, I want to work in a happy, vibrant school with happy children and teachers. I want to ensure that staff have time to reflect and look forward and make changes for the better, and also to have the opportunity and confidence to try new things in the classroom.
I am committed to personal development and supporting people to achieve their very best, and this applies to the children and staff. Over my career, I have worked with some inspirational teachers and seen the positive effects this has on children. I have high expectations for the quality of teaching because what you do matters, and it affects the children. It must be the best we can give, as for me, every lesson really does count. By fostering a learning culture for all, we can all strive for excellence in teaching and learning.
I am passionate about bringing learning to life and firmly believe in the value of enriching the curriculum with trips, visits and inspirational visiting speakers. These add so much to the learning experience for children and also create memories which will last for many years. When girls look back on their years with us at Surbiton High Prep, I want them to be filled with fond memories and trips that they went on with their friends. The learning that comes from these enriching experiences cannot be underestimated and often ignites the passion for a subject within a child.
I am also a great believer in promoting pupil voice. This is something which I know is already highly valued at Surbiton, but I want to ensure that I personally hear from every child in the school. I will be introducing more opportunities for them to share their views and opinions, as they know what the school is really like and what really matters to them. I want to hear from the quietest voice, not just the loudest, as every voice matters at Surbiton High Girls’ Prep. I am also a great advocate of the personal development of the pupils and will be looking for ways to empower them to be involved in the local community and understand the positive contributions that they can make to society, even at this young age.
One of my priorities is to engage with current families and prospective families to ensure that what we offer them, and their children, meets the needs of the busy modern family. By that, I mean making sure that they feel they can trust us as a partner in their child’s journey. I want parents to leave their children with us and go to work safe in the knowledge that their children are being incredibly well cared for by a committed staff body who know them well, that they are being incredibly well taught and challenged academically at their individual level, that their children feel truly at home here and are well cared for by staff who are delighted to welcome them every day. I also want our families to feel that we are a place of support for them and are somewhere they can call upon when they need support along the journey of raising their children.
Categories: Girls Prep - Reception Girls' Prep School