Ward, who joined the senior leadership team at Stephen Perse Cambridge in 2018, has been instrumental in enhancing the educational experience of all of its students. He has made a sustained and transformative contribution to the school’s success throughout his tenure, raising academic outcomes and overseeing a record number of Oxbridge placements in recent years.

As an established author and educator, Ward has also created mathematics resources for Cambridge Assessment and has co-authored more than 20 A Level and International Baccalaureate mathematics textbooks. He holds Masters degrees in both mathematics and mathematics education from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Commenting on his new role, Ward said: “For 145 years, Stephen Perse Cambridge has been synonymous with academic ambition, innovation and intellectual discovery. I look forward to leading our community as we build on the best of our traditions whilst embracing new opportunities to help our young people achieve the best possible outcomes and develop the skills and personal character to change the world for the better when they leave us.” 

Michael Windmill, Chair of Governors, said: “Following a rigorous and comprehensive recruitment process, which attracted an exceptionally strong field of candidates, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Ward as Principal. Not only did he stand out during the recruitment process for his clarity of vision, but he also has a strong understanding of what makes our schools and nurseries distinctive and an inspiring and thoughtful perspective on how we should continue to develop. This is an exciting moment for our community and I am confident that under Stephen’s leadership, the Foundation will continue to deliver an education of enduring quality and value to all of its students.”

Current Principal, Richard Girvan, will leave for his new role at Fettes College, Scotland, at the end of the Summer term. He said: “It has been my privilege to serve the Stephen Perse community alongside Stephen Ward over the last six years.  He has been closely involved in every major strategic and operational decision over that time, while leading the senior school superbly as Head and more recently as Vice Principal. I am delighted he has agreed to take on the role of Principal - Stephen Perse is in the very best of hands, as it looks to an exciting future as the leading schools group in Cambridge.”

Named after Dr Stephen Perse, a physician, philanthropist and fellow of Gonville & Cauis, Stephen Perse Cambridge was established in 1881 as The Perse School for Girls before evolving to the Stephen Perse Foundation in 2008 to reflect its complete co-educational provision from Nursery to Sixth Form. The Times recognised the Foundation as the Independent School of the Decade for East Anglia in 2021. It is now Stephen Perse Cambridge, reflecting both its history and location in the city.