Worked with Footlights at Cambridge as well as founding theatre company
Matthew Bulmer. Picture: Neil Roig
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Matthew Bulmer has been appointed as the new Head of the ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form.
He has extensive experience in both the independent education sector, and a background in theatre. He was most recently the Director of Performing Arts and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Brentwood independent day school, having previously been an English and Drama teacher and Head of Department at independent schools in London and on the south coast. Under his leadership, Brentwood was twice shortlisted for the Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts award.
He spent four years at Cambridge University at both Homerton and Jesus College, which was where he says his passion for the Performing Arts developed. In these formative years, he worked as an actor, producer, technical manager, but mainly as a director. A highlight was his work with the Footlights, and it was these experiences that opened him up to Musical Theatre. After University, he co-founded a theatre company, which is still going strong, albeit with little involvement from him now, because it has always been his ambition to teach.
He comes to the role following the resignation of former Principal Chris Hocking who left ArtsEd following the conclusion of an independent investigation into historic misconduct. A report by a QC was commissioned after a number of allegations surfaced against former and current staff members. The author of the report, Rebecca Turk, concluded that, although there was a high degree of professionalism and dedication among staff at the school, there was an overly sexualised environment within a number of music and dance classes in the School of Musical Theatre which is for students aged over 18.
The ArtsEd recently took ownership of brand-new studios, classrooms, and communal spaces at its Chiswick home. This is the most recent phase of a major capital project that started in 2013 with the opening of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre.
On his start at the school, Mr Bulmer said, “I thought I would love this school and the Headship of it, and these last few weeks have certainly confirmed that prediction. The staff are extremely talented, in the classroom and the studio, and the children are amazing: they want to learn more, to be the best that they can be, and it is a delight to work with such polite, considerate, and passionate young individuals. I have great ambitions for the school and having met the common room and the student body, I have every faith that we will meet these aspirations and more.”
ArtsEd’s Interim Principal, Dr Julie Spencer, said, “I am delighted about Matt’s appointment as Headteacher. His impressive depth of expertise in the education sector alongside his background in the performing arts means that Matt is exceptionally well qualified to lead the Day School and Sixth Form pupils and their inspirational tutors.”
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February 8, 2022
