The winner of this year’s Tes Independent School Award for lifetime achievement was commended by judges for her outstanding commitment to her pupils during the pandemic.
But Sylvia Grace, acting headmistress of Moreton Hall Prep School in Shropshire, came into teaching quite by chance.
After graduating from Royal Holloway College with a degree in history and Latin in 1962, she learned that the local primary school was looking for someone to “babysit” a class of 30 children aged 4-7 for a few days, until the arrival of their new teacher.
When the teacher failed to show, Ms Grace took on the role full time. “Three years later, I could teach infants,” she recalls.
Ms Grace then moved into junior teaching until 1972, when she took on O-level Latin teaching at Deeside High School in Wales. At the same time, she took on CSE history, which, as the last lesson on a Friday, she described as “tough at first”. But she swiftly adapted to the challenge, going on to become deputy head at Howell’s School in Denbigh.
In 1986, while she presented prizes at Arden - a small preparatory school - the headmistress there confided to her that she was terminally ill, and that the school would have to close.
“I remember driving home and thinking very clearly, I could do this. So I bought it!” Ms Grace recalls.
Arden became known for its academic rigour and creativity, as well as its nurturing community.
“Children made friends for life and came back to live here after university,” said one parent. “I can’t thank Sylvia enough.”
As pupil numbers exceeded 100, Ms Grace decided to retire, but subsequently agreed to help out at Moreton Hall. Three years later, she was appointed deputy head.
After a further seven years, Ms Grace retired. But in 2020, she agreed to take on the role of acting headmistress at Moreton’s prep school.
During the pandemic, throughout one of the most turbulent periods in education, Ms Grace has been at school seven days a week, determined that key workers’ children receive the very best teaching and learning, undaunted by any risks presented by her age.
The judges praised her courage and commitment in ensuring pupils could thrive despite the challenges of the past year.
