**Veteran Headteacher Departs After Transformative 33-Year Tenure at Howell’s School, Llandaff**
After over three decades of dedicated service to education, Sally Davis, the longstanding headteacher of Howell’s School, Llandaff, has retired, marking the end of an era at one of Wales’ most respected independent schools. Mrs Davis, aged 66, spent 17 of her 33 years at the historic institution as headteacher, steering Howell’s through significant changes both within the education sector and in wider society.
“It sounds cliché, but leaving Howell’s is truly like leaving family—I definitely shed a tear,” Mrs Davis reflected, as staff and pupils bid her a heartfelt farewell. Her departure is not just a personal milestone but also a significant transition for the school, which has seen immense growth and evolution during her leadership.
When Mrs Davis first arrived at Howell’s in her early thirties, she brought with her a decade of experience from challenging inner-city London comprehensive schools and a role as deputy head of a state technology college. Despite her urban teaching background and having no previous experience in the independent sector, she quickly adapted to the new environment. “Arriving at Howell’s was a culture shock, but in the best possible way,” she said. “In London, teaching often revolved around behaviour management, whereas here it felt like returning to the essence of teaching itself.”
Initially envisaging only a brief stay, Mrs Davis found herself woven into the school’s fabric, a sentiment echoed by many colleagues past and present. Back in 1991, Howell’s was an all-girls boarding school with some 700 pupils, including a small group of boarders. Over the years, the school evolved decisively: boarding was phased out, boys were admitted to the sixth form twenty years ago, and early years classes were introduced, reflecting the institution’s willingness to adapt to changing educational needs.
The landscape of education has shifted dramatically since Mrs Davis began her career. She has navigated the challenges of social media, the ever-expanding influence of digital technology, and, perhaps most notably, the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her stewardship, learning at Howell’s swiftly transitioned online, ensuring continuity for students and support for key worker families during periods of national uncertainty. “The pandemic was testing, but it brought our school community together in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Remote learning is an asset we now continue to use for illness or bad weather,” she explained.
Technology, while enhancing education, also brings well-publicised concerns. Mrs Davis addressed these head-on, enacting policies such as banning smartphones for pupils up to sixth form, and requiring devices be kept secured during the school day. Nonetheless, she celebrated the educational opportunities that responsible technology use enables.
Financial pressures have also tested the independent sector in recent years, with the introduction of VAT on school fees placing a strain on many families. As part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), Howell’s was able to shield families from the full financial impact by absorbing a portion of the tax rise and offering free before-and-after school care alongside a range of bursaries and scholarships. “I’m especially proud that we continue to use the original bequest from Thomas Howell for bursaries, fulfilling the philanthropic spirit with which the school was founded in 1860,” said Mrs Davis.
Her career journey—from the daughter of a Newport butcher and pupil at Bassaleg Comprehensive, to the helm of a leading Welsh independent school—reflects both personal ambition and a deep commitment to public service. She acknowledges the debate around fee-paying education but feels strongly that independent schools play a valuable role in the educational landscape.
As Mrs Davis steps down, she is succeeded by Laura Beynon, currently senior deputy head at Bristol’s Redmaids’ High School. Ms Beynon, also a geographer, brings her own wealth of experience and will take up the post in September, promising further continuity and evolution for Howell’s.
Mrs Davis leaves behind a remarkable legacy of innovation, resilience, and compassion. “Teaching has always been exciting for me—each day at Howell’s brought new challenges and opportunities. I wanted to leave while I still loved the job, and I will always feel a connection to this amazing community. Teachers really do change lives, and it has been a privilege,” she reflected.
The school community, as well as Mrs Davis’s family—her husband Julian, their two adopted children, and grandchildren—will no doubt celebrate her achievements for years to come, recognising the transformative impact she has had on Howell’s and the lives of countless pupils.