David Payne Appointed as Head of Bedford Modern School 24 March 2023

We are delighted to announce that David Payne has been appointed as Bedford Modern School’s new Head and will join the school in January 2024.

Mr Payne has been Senior Deputy Head at Portsmouth Grammar School since 2019. He was previously Head of Sixth Form at Victoria College in Jersey and before that Head of Geography and Deputy Head of Sixth Form at St Albans School. He attended Rugby School and graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MA in Geography before obtaining his postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) at the University of Oxford. He also holds an MEd in Educational Leadership.

Outside of the classroom Mr Payne enjoys outdoor pursuits, has enjoyed coaching and refereeing rugby throughout his teaching career, and also has experience of leading the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme in previous schools. He is married with three children.

Commenting on his move to Bedfordshire, Mr Payne said: “It is an enormous honour to be appointed to the role of Head of Bedford Modern School. I was drawn to the school’s values and its commitment to excellence in the holistic education of young people and have been impressed with the school’s desire to retain its tradition of academic rigour whilst simultaneously continuing to focus on the forward-looking development of character. I have been struck by the warmth of the community in my visits to the School, where there is a clear culture of care and kindness, allied to a focus on the creation of opportunities and support for the students.

“I look forward to working with Mr Tate and the Leadership Team, to facilitate a successful transition, and to building relationships with students, staff, parents and Governors to enable us to build on the outstanding work that has already taken place.” 

Shirley Jackson, Bedford Modern School’s Chair of Governors added: “I am delighted that David will be joining the School, and I speak on behalf of everyone here when I say how much we look forward to working with him. I am also enormously grateful to Alex Tate who has made such a significant contribution to BMS’s success during the past six years.

“In the interim period before David takes up post fully, rest assured that the School remains in the safe hands of Senior Deputy Head, Andrew Whomsley and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team.”