Thomas’s Clapham Welcomes New Head This September

Miss Jessica Mair joins Thomas’s Clapham at a moment of real strength. Under Mr Nathan Boller’s leadership, the school has enjoyed a successful period in its development. Building on these strong foundations, Miss Mair brings clear vision, energy and a deep commitment to shaping the next phase of Thomas’s Clapham with confidence and ambition. Her thoughtful leadership reflects what families value most and will maintain the school’s culture and direction.

Ben Thomas, Principal and CEO of Thomas’s, said:
“Those who work with Miss Mair describe a leader of clarity, warmth and quiet authority, someone deeply attuned to how children learn, how staff thrive and how schools sustain excellence over time. Her approach is grounded in the belief that children do best when expectations are high, pressure is low and the adults around them are consistent and thoughtful. Throughout the appointment process, her alignment with the vision, aims and values of the School was clear and compelling. She is exactly the kind of leader we look for Thomas’s.”

Miss Mair is a Head who creates a learning environment that feels safe, joyful and purposeful, a place where children are nurtured and challenged in equal measure. For the past decade, she has led John Betts Primary School, transforming it into a school widely admired for its warmth, academic strength and sense of belonging. Families in the local area have actively chosen John Betts because of her reputation, trusting her with what matters most, their children.

Miss Mair is known for something parents value deeply, she sees every child. She understands their strengths, their worries, their interests and their potential, ensuring that no one is overlooked. Her leadership is based on the principle that children thrive when they feel confident, cared for and understood. Parent feedback consistently reflects trust and loyalty. They see John Betts as a place where their child is recognised as an individual, not simply as a learner. Ofsted describes her school as
“a happy place to come to school.”

Academically, Miss Mair brings rigour and clarity. She has shaped ambitious, well-designed curricula that empower children to think deeply and read widely, and that foster self-confidence in  learning. Under her leadership, pupils have consistently achieved strong outcomes and progressed to some of London’s most academically competitive day schools, including Emanuel, Francis Holland, KCS Wimbledon, St Paul’s and Westminster. Crucially, Miss Mair believes in caring for her staff. She has proven that trusted and supported teachers create happy classrooms and produce confident children. Her teams speak of feeling valued and inspired, building a culture that is felt throughout the whole school community.

Miss Mair’s experience spans the maintained and independent sectors in the UK and internationally. She trained as a teacher in London, later becoming Head of English, before taking on senior leadership roles overseas as Vice Principal and Head of Teaching and Learning at St Andrew’s Scots School in Argentina. On returning to London, she served as Deputy Head at Queen’s Manor Primary School in Fulham, where she also led SEND provision, before becoming Headteacher in 2015. Miss Mair’s experience brings depth to her perspective and strategic clarity, positioning her superbly to lead Thomas’s Clapham into its next chapter. She holds National Professional Qualifications in both Headship and Executive Leadership and currently serves as a secondary school governor.

Commenting on her appointment, Miss Mair said:
“Thomas’s Clapham is a remarkable school where the culture, ambition and sense of purpose are the backbone to its success. The opportunity to join and lead its wonderful community is indeed an exciting prospect.  I am looking forward to working closely with families and staff to continue to grow the excellent standards of education, parent engagement and personal development that define the school. It is a real privilege and an honour to be taking on this role from Mr Boller. I hope to build on all that he and his team have created, leading the school toward an even more exceptional future. I am deeply aligned with Thomas’s founding values and I view kindness, resilience and honesty as the fundamental traits we must instil in every child.

I have been privileged to serve the John Betts community for a decade, and I now look forward to leading Thomas’s Clapham as the perfect next step in my journey. I am passionate about the education of young children and believe strongly that it is our responsibility to prepare children not just tomorrow, but for every tomorrow for the rest of their lives. I very much look forward to getting to know each child and family, and beginning my Thomas’s journey.”

Looking ahead to September 2026 and beyond, Miss Mair’s appointment marks an exciting new phase for Thomas’s Clapham. Guided by a clear vision and dedicated to pupil outcomes, she is poised to elevate the school’s established successes and deepen its sense of community. Miss Mair leaves John Betts with an exceptional legacy and joins Thomas’s Clapham as an inspiring and forward-thinking new leader.

About Thomas’s
Thomas’s London Day Schools is a group of independent co-educational schools, educating over 2,000 pupils from Kindergarten through to College across central London. Founded in 1971 by Joanna and David Thomas, the schools provide a continuous 3-18 education, supporting each stage of childhood and adolescence with care, ambition and purpose.

At the heart of Thomas’s is a clear vision, that every pupil flourishes as a compassionate contributor to society and a courageous shaper of the future. The schools champion kindness, community and childhood, offering a breadth of experiences across academics, sport, the arts and outdoors, ensuring every child develops confidence, curiosity and a genuine love of learning.

Together, these commitments create a culture of joyful excellence, in which pupils achieve outstanding academic outcomes alongside the confidence, character and adaptability to succeed in the world. Pupils are known, valued and supported at every stage, leaving Thomas’s equipped with the self-knowledge and resilience to thrive.

Website: www.thomas-s.co.uk