Frances McCrudden’s ESMS journey began back in 2006, having moved ‘home’ from Surrey to Edinburgh. While at ESMS she has held the roles of Head of Business Studies, Head of Careers, Director of Sixth Form and most recently Interim Head of Stewart’s Melville College. Her permanent appointment as Head of Stewart’s Melville College, in November, followed a highly competitive external recruitment process.
We managed to catch up with Frances at the end of term to find out a little more about what makes our family focused, passionate Head of SMC tick…
You are no stranger to ESMS or Stewart’s Melville College, tell us why you were attracted to this new role and what your vision is for the School?
Stewart’s Melville College is a brilliant School which is regarded with huge fondness by current and former pupils. I am genuinely delighted to be chosen as the new Head of School. The students are great fun and working with them is very rewarding. SMC is a very special place with a long history of excellence in the classroom, in the performing arts, on the sporting field and in the outdoors. Under my leadership the whole school community will continue to be dedicated to supporting each child to thrive, and providing an excellent education for all. We want our students to leave us as people of good character who are willing and able to make a difference in society.
How has the first full term been? Has anything surprised you about the role?
It has been great to lead the School in the first school year that has been ‘back to normal’ since the pandemic. Both students and staff have been enormously friendly and welcoming. I have particularly enjoyed leading whole school assemblies. I have been pleasantly surprised at how brilliant the School is at collective singing. We have tried out lots of new songs in assembly and the whole community has enjoyed singing them with gusto. The whole School singing ‘Loch Lomond’ is a favourite memory from the Autumn Term.
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows?
Two members of Coldplay once gave up their seats for my husband and me on a plane.
Who is your hero?
I have a rather dog-eared Economist cover on my wall which commemorated Nelson Mandela’s death. It has the final words of Invictus on it “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”. I have read his biography, Long Walk to Freedom, three times and although he was not a perfect man, his transformative work in South Africa is a true inspiration to me.
What was your favourite age growing up?
I had a happy childhood in Edinburgh; I loved school and learning. It would be difficult to pinpoint a favourite age, but my favourite activity was definitely visiting my grandparents and extended family in the South East of England in the holidays.
What was the last thing you read?
The Madness of Grief: A Memoir of Love and Loss, by the Rev. Richard Coles. It is a very honest and moving book which will resonate with anyone who has lost someone close to them.
What's the one thing that can instantly make your day better?
I love teaching and working with young people. Interactions with them always make my days good.
Who would be at your fantasy dinner party and what would be on the menu?
My favourite thing really is spending time with my close family and old friends (this is not something I get to do a lot of during term time); they would definitely be first on the list. I spent some time volunteering in rural Thailand when I left university, and this fostered in me a real love of Thai food, so that would definitely be on the menu.
Do you have a motto that you live by?
I am a big believer in being kind, working hard, doing your best and making the most of all the opportunities afforded to you. I try to do this every day.