The Board unanimously resolved to appoint Mr Alan Adlington-Corfield as the new Executive Head to join Somerset College from April 2023, at the beginning of Term 2.
Before Mr Adlington-Corfield joined his current school, the Mpesa Foundation Academy (IB World School, Kenya) as the Executive Head two years ago, he was the Deputy Rector and Academic Head of School at Michaelhouse in Kwa-Zulu Natal. He began his career as a Mathematics and Science teacher at Parel Vallei High School where he had been part of the first cohort of pupils and where he matriculated as the Dux Scholar. He then went on to become the Head of Mathematics and a Member of the Executive at Bridge House before embarking on a 15-year journey at Michaelhouse.
He holds a B.Sc degree from UCT and a B.Ed (Hons) from Stellenbosch majoring in Education Management and is an experienced educator in a variety of milieus. He is knowledgeable about numerous curricula including Cambridge, the IEB and the IB. He has been involved in ISASA and the IEB over many years and has a deep understanding of independent schooling in South Africa. He values academic and sporting excellence and is highly regarded as a principled and ethical leader known for the creation of effective teams. Besides his strong academic grounding, he has coached rugby, hockey, and cricket over the years. In addition, he was part of the team that, drawing upon the Somerset College Trek experience, implemented the outdoor education programme for Grade 10 students at Michaelhouse. He is a member of the Anglican church where he is a lay preacher.
Having grown up in the area, Alan knows the Somerset West community well; this, together with his extensive experience beyond the Western Cape and South Africa made him an ideal candidate for our unique and special Somerset College. Very significantly, he is a firm believer in innovation, critical thinking and entrepreneurship and believes in the value and importance of the Somerset College ESTEAM concept.
We look forward to his contribution and involvement and to welcoming him and his family to our Somerset College family and the community.