New Heads Join Bolton School’s Primary Division

As the new academic year begins, Bolton School is delighted to welcome two new Heads to its Primary Division. 

Mrs Erica Merriman has joined Beech House, Bolton School’s Infant School, as its new Head; whilst Mrs Veronique Shingler has taken up the role of Head of Hesketh House, the Junior Girls’ School.

Mrs Merriman was formerly Head of Key Stage One and Head of PSHE at The King's School, Macclesfield, where she had worked since 2001. She was educated at the University of Wales, Cardiff, where she undertook a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Speaking about her new role, Mrs Merriman said:

"I am delighted to be joining Bolton School as Head of Beech House.

As a parent myself, I know how much a school’s culture, relationships and sense of belonging shape a child’s experience. From my first visit, I was struck by how closely Beech House’s values align with my own, above all knowing every child as an individual, helping them grow in confidence and supporting them to thrive.

My educational philosophy is simple: children flourish when they feel secure enough to take risks, curious enough to explore and supported enough to develop both academically and as people of character.

It is a privilege to be joining this community. I look forward to working in partnership with parents, staff and the boys and girls of Beech House as we begin this new chapter together."

Mrs Shingler joins Hesketh House from Manchester High School for Girls, where she was Deputy Head of the Preparatory School having previously served as an Assistant Head and Year 3 Class Teacher. Prior to joining Manchester High School for Girls, she spent eight years as a Key Stage Two Teacher at The Manchester Grammar School. She read Ancient History at the University of Reading before completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education, specialising in Modern Foreign Languages, at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Mrs Shingler said:

"It is a real privilege to join Hesketh House as its new Head, and I am incredibly excited about the year ahead. Hesketh House is a vibrant place where girls are encouraged to develop confidence, have ambition for themselves and nurture their talents.

The School’s strong commitment to character education is something that particularly drew me to Hesketh House, as this is foundational to my own educational beliefs; my philosophy centres on creating a supportive environment where pupils are encouraged to foster a love of learning, develop high academic standards and ambitions, underpinned by a clear sense of self.

The range of opportunities at Hesketh House, both within the curriculum and through the extracurricular programme, is remarkable, and I am looking forward to working with pupils, parents and staff as well as becoming part of the wider Bolton School Foundation community."

Commenting on the arrival of Mrs Merriman and Mrs Shingler, Sue Faulkner, Head of the Primary Division, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Erica and Veronique to Bolton School, as they begin their Headships at Beech House and Hesketh House this week.  During their interviews, they impressed us hugely with their instinctive understanding of the approach to learning that we take at both schools, and with their inherent commitment to the Primary Division principles that underpin our success. 

I am very much looking forward to working with them both during the upcoming academic year, during which we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the formation of the Primary Division, as they settle into their new schools."