Following the decision of Heidi Hughes to step down from the post of Head of BGS Infant & Junior School at the end of this academic year, I am delighted to be able to announce the appointment of our new Head of I&J from September 2025.
We had a very strong national and international field for the post which was whittled down to three outstanding candidates for shortlist. The standard was extraordinarily high amongst all three applicants, any of whom would have led BGS I&J brilliantly. After careful consideration, we decided to appoint Mr Daniel Simson as our new Head of I&J.
Mr Simson has done an outstanding job, first as Deputy Head and then Head, at Sefton Park Infant and Junior Schools in Bristol, where he has been since 2011. His clear and ambitious vision for leading BGS I&J, which was fully aligned with our ethos, together with the care and empathy he exuded within the selection process, made him our unanimous choice.
His ethos, lived out so clearly at his current school, includes a committed focus on the care of each child, and on knowing them and their families, to ensure they are able to grow and fulfil their potential to the fullest. Mr Simson believes, as do we, that the key to a successful and fulfilled child is that they feel known, nurtured, challenged and celebrated.
A committed Bristolian, Mr Simson is a keen sportsman who cycles and plays cricket regularly and holds a season ticket to the Bristol Bears. I know he will be a brilliant addition to our whole-school leadership team, and we look forward to welcoming him to the school. We know he feels equally excited to join us; as he states below.
He says: “Taking on the role of Head of BGS Infants & Juniors, an amazing school in the city I love, is both hugely exciting and a real privilege. Working with children – and their families – to help to shape their futures, is a responsibility I take on with pride, humility and respect. BGS is renowned for excellence, care and a progressive outlook. It seeks to be at the vanguard of educational development and to be at the pinnacle of local and national expertise, and I share that drive and ambition. I look forward to meeting pupils and parents in due course and to working alongside the leadership team and many brilliant colleagues, for the benefit of all at BGS.”
We remain indebted to Miss Hughes, her leadership team, and her whole staff, who will continue to work with energy and commitment to lead the school through this academic year. Miss Hughes has been an outstanding leader for I&J since she joined us in 2019, and I know that she will continue to lead the school with the passion, care and commitment that are her hallmarks. I look forward to a time, later in the academic year, when we can thank her fully for all she has done for BGS.
Jaideep Barot
Head, Bristol Grammar School