Headmaster's Welcome
Welcome to Sandroyd Prep, Pre-Prep and Nursery
At Sandroyd, we believe that childhood should be a time of joy, wonder, and discovery—an experience that is both inspiring and enriching.
We are wholly committed to providing an education that nurtures not only academic and emotional intelligence but also creativity and a love for learning. Our children thrive in a school where the focus is on their growth as individuals, not just their grades.
Set against a backdrop of the most stunning facilities, we foster an environment where technology enhances, rather than dominates, the educational experience. We don’t use 1:1 devices, as they distract from the magic of childhood. Instead, we take a forward-thinking approach to digital innovation—one that works hand in hand with the development of essential life skills and emotional resilience. At Sandroyd, we put children first, ensuring their well-being, happiness, and sense of awe are at the heart of everything we do.
What truly sets Sandroyd apart is the unwavering commitment of our entire staff to creating a school where every pupil feels valued, encouraged, and challenged to achieve their full potential. This is not just an aspiration—it is embedded in everything we do. Our teachers and support staff focus on ensuring that every child leaves Sandroyd with confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
We are immensely proud of our pupils’ academic achievements and the breadth of skills they develop here—skills that empower them to flourish at the country’s top senior schools and beyond. Yet a Sandroyd education extends far beyond exam results. We instil character, resilience, and independence—qualities that shape our pupils into adaptable and thoughtful young people, ready to embrace new challenges with confidence.
Kindness and integrity are at the heart of our culture. We encourage our pupils to question and think differently, to embrace teamwork, and to approach life with self-assurance and adaptability. Our broad curriculum fosters essential life skills—communication, leadership, and reflection—ensuring that every child is equipped not only for academic success but also for a dynamic and rapidly changing world.
Alice and I would be delighted to welcome you to Sandroyd so you can experience first-hand the energy, warmth, and sense of possibility that define our school community.
Alastair Speers
A Brief CV
After graduating with a First Class degree in Engineering, Alastair worked as a consultant engineer for seven years on innovative building projects throughout the world. His teaching passion ignited while mentoring graduate engineers, leading to a teaching qualification from Cambridge. Joining Oakham School in 2006, he swiftly rose to Housemaster and then Senior Housemaster, working with all 16 Hsms across the senior and prep school. He taught across GCSE, A-Level, and the IB and was involved in coaching rugby, cricket, and sailing, as well as organising a number of international expeditions. Alastair holds an MEd in Educational Leadership from Buckingham University and serves as an Independent Schools Inspector. He is a Governor of Witham Hall Prep School, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a former Magistrate.
Welcome from Alice Speers
I work alongside Alastair as part of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure we collectively foster a community that makes Sandroyd a happy and fulfilling place for pupils, parents, and our staff.
The role of a Headmaster's wife is vitally important in a boarding community such as ours. Sandroyd is, at its core, a family boarding school. We joined the school in September 2016 with our two young daughters, Hattie and Isla, and have since become part of a wider family that consists of over 200 boys and girls.
As a trained English teacher with over twelve years of experience in teaching and tutoring children, my role as 'Headmaster's Wife' is to offer another person to whom our pupils and parents can talk, alongside the houseparents and the pastoral team. Sandroyd is a wonderfully close-knit community that works together to ensure every child thrives both emotionally and academically.
I am closely involved in the day-to-day running of the school as well as its long-term strategy. I actively participate in staff recruitment and focus on the well-being of the Sandroyd community. Working alongside the admissions and marketing departments, I serve as the school link for the Friends of Sandroyd committee, who organise fundraising and social events for parents. My aim is to ensure that Sandroyd remains a happy and fulfilling environment for pupils, parents, and staff members.
