Herries: Fiona Long
I caught up with mum-of-two and headmistress of Herries Preparatory School, Fiona Long, about her recent move to Cookham and how she's enjoying her new role…
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Tell me about you and your family/where are you from?
I grew up in the Middle East as my father was an oil engineer and I attended boarding school in Dorset. My brother is a naval architect who travels the world. I have two sons. The youngest is rowing secretary at UCL and he will be taking a play to the Edinburgh Fringe this year. My other son is a Systems Engineer for an Aerospace company.
What are your first impressions of Cookham?
My father once owned a houseboat in Chertsey and I have always loved the river. My brother and sister-in-law live just over the Oxfordshire border. My boys feel we have the best of everything here, with the woods, the river, the centrality with the railway line and the proximity of London. We are members of the church and sailing club. We have enjoyed a warm Herries welcome and have found that the community is very friendly.
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Tell me about your new position/vision for the school...
I have taken over from an excellent headmistress and the school is in a very strong place. There are many exciting developments in the pipeline, including extra teaching spaces, IT investment and an innovative timetabled enrichment programme for KS2.
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You have come from Sherborne Prep. How was that? What prompted you to make
the move up here?
I have many fond memories of The Prep and I will always maintain a link, but it was time for a new adventure and the next step in my career. We visited the school when the post was first advertised and was immediately struck by its magical charm.
Can you tell me about some of your views on learning/your motto/ethos?
My approach is simple: Happy children achieve.
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Tell me about the school environment... any interesting traditions?
It is wonderfully appropriate to set a school in the home of an author who is so well known for conveying the golden days of childhood. Grahame lived here when he wrote The Wind in the Willows. He began telling the story to his son, which was based on inspiration from the local landscape, buildings and residents. The history of the school is fascinating.
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What's the best school dinner?
Our healthy lunches are all excellent as they are freshly prepared on the premises by our talented cook, Mrs Pegg, but the best thing about them is the range of choice.
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What are your views on managing tech? And homework?
Homework time is devoted to core skills that require daily repetition, such as multiplication tables, spellings and, of course, reading. We are lucky to have a well-equipped IT suite but shortly, the children will be able to have their own iPads as another tool to enhance learning across the curriculum.
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Any famous alumni?
There have been many children of writers, broadcasters and even sporting heroes. Our children have gone on to run successful businesses, to become musicians, artists and engineers.
A​ny special events coming up and any open days?
Our next open day will be on 16th May but prospective parents are welcome at any time with an appointment.
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What's the best and worst part of your job? Do you love doing what you do – are you fulfilling a childhood dream?
There are generations of teachers in my family. I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of my varied role but I enjoy spending time with the children most of all.
