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Ben Spence Appointed to lead Montpelier High School

Vanetta (Ben) Spence has been officially appointed to the position of Headteacher of Montpelier High School.

Ben will join our community full time from 1st June 2023; however, she will be spending some time in school with students and staff throughout April and May, getting to know us all better. This is an exciting appointment for MHS and comes at a time when we are more focused than ever on making changes to improve the school.

MHS has been led by Interim Principal Brendan Hesketh since December 2022 and when the post of Headteacher was advertised earlier this year, we received an overwhelming response, with an exceptionally strong field of candidates.

With 20 years’ teaching experience, Ben is currently the Principal of May Park Primary School in Eastville, part of the Excalibur Academies Trust. She took up this position in 2019 after the school had been placed in Special Measures by Ofsted. Under her leadership, the school was later described by an external consultant as unrecognisable from the Ofsted report. Previously, Ben was Vice Principal at Fairfield High School, where she spent 16 years working in senior leadership roles.

Ben has lived in Bristol for more than 25 years, initially moving to the city to study at the University of the West of England. She currently spends her free time working towards a second honours degree, this time at the University of Bristol, where she is studying English Literature and Community Engagement with a specific focus on the diversification of curriculum through literacy. Ben is also an Honorary Associate Researcher at the University of Bristol and a trustee of St Werburghs Community

Centre.

Ms Spence said:

“Montpelier High School has a long history in Bristol; however, it is the bright future of this school that I’m focused on. I am determined to lead MHS on a journey of rapid and sustainable improvement that will benefit all students, irrespective of their starting points.

“The school is a pillar of the community it serves and, alongside an engaging and relevant curriculum, we have a responsibility to broaden the horizons of students and support them in increasing their cultural capital. I will ensure that the school provides all the opportunities that education can offer, for every student at every level and, crucially, that the curriculum is enriched with additional activities that address the mental health of all our students.”

Tracey Killen, Chair of Governors for MHS, said of Ben's appointment:

“Everyone who has met Ben either through the interview process or around the school site, has a sense of excitement about the future. Ben’s drive and energy will inspire those around her to want to be the best version of themselves. She is a highly accomplished educationalist with a sharp vision; and she is ambitious for the future of our school. Critically, Ben shares our commitment to place the future of our students at the heart of everything we do.”

We look forward to working with Ben as we accelerate and build on the many improvements that have already been made at MHS over recent months.