St Bees School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Olly Wells as its next Headmaster.

Taking up the post from September 2026, Mr Wells brings a formidable breadth of experience across both British and international education.

He will begin working with the St Bees team remotely from September 2025 to ensure a smooth and well-supported transition.

Mr Wells is widely recognised for his commitment to academic excellence, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of how to build well-rounded, forward-thinking schools.

A specialist in Computer Science and a respected advisor on university admissions, he is driven by a passion for nurturing intellectual ambition, character and curiosity in young people.

He has led some of the UK’s most respected British international schools overseas, including Wycombe Abbey in Changzhou and Sedbergh in Fuzhou.

Mr Wells is currently Headmaster at Harrow in Haikou.

He has also served as a Lead Improvement Partner with the Council of British International Schools and as a Governor of Wellington Shanghai, one of China’s top bilingual schools.

Mr Wells began his career in UK state education and previously served as Associate Principal at Westminster Academy in London, as well as holding public office as a councillor and primary school governor.

He is married to Emily, a lawyer and is the father of two boys who will also join the school.

The family is making a long-term commitment to join the St Bees community and looks forward to relocating to West Cumbria.

Until Mr Wells formally takes up the post, Mr Laurence Gribble will serve as Interim Headmaster.

Mr Gribble is already a well-known and highly respected leader within the St Bees community, and was in fact a student at the school himself for seven years.

Alongside his deep-rooted experience at the school, he also brings commercial and strategic expertise from his role as Director of Full Circle Education Group.

Mr Gribble has shown outstanding dedication to St Bees and is exceptionally well-placed to lead the school through this important period of transition.

The appointment of Mr Wells has the full support of the Directors and Local Advisory Council, staff and students.

It represents an exciting next step in the continued growth and success of St Bees School.