Ailsa Buddle
Queen’s College Preparatory School is delighted to welcome Emily Upham as Deputy Head – Pastoral, and announce the appointment of Charlie Edels as Deputy Head – Academic.
Deputy Head – Academic: Charlie Edels
Charlie is already a familiar face at QCPS, having joined the school in 2021 as a class teacher and English specialist before becoming Head of Professional Learning.
Prior to joining Queen’s, Charlie gained experience across both primary and secondary education, including roles as Head of Prep, Humanities 2iC, History and Geography Coordinator and Year 6 Class Teacher. She holds a BA (Hons) in History, Heritage and Education from the University of Birmingham and completed her PGCE through the University of Roehampton.
As Deputy Head – Academic, Charlie will build on her work developing teaching and learning across the Prep, with a particular focus on creating engaging learning experiences and encouraging pupils to be curious, confident and ambitious.
“I want every girl at QCPS to experience high expectations alongside the freedom to be curious, ask questions, make mistakes and take risks. Academic ambition, curiosity, creativity and confidence aren’t competing priorities – they reinforce one another.
“As Deputy Head – Academic, I’m excited to build on the excellent teaching and learning already happening across the Prep, while continuing to develop an ambitious, forward-thinking curriculum. Ultimately, I want our girls to leave QCPS as successful learners, courageous thinkers and confident young women who are ready to make a difference in the world.”
Deputy Head – Pastoral: Emily Upham
Emily joins QCPS with extensive experience in pastoral leadership, Early Years education and safeguarding across both state and independent schools.
A first-class Education Studies with History graduate from Durham University, Emily completed her PGCE through Teach First and later gained a Master’s degree in Education from the Institute of Education at UCL. During her teaching career, she has held leadership positions including Head of Early Years and Pre-Prep, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and, most recently, Deputy Head – Pastoral and Safeguarding Lead.
Emily believes that children are best placed to thrive academically when they feel happy, secure and supported, and is passionate about ensuring emotional wellbeing sits at the heart of school life.
“I want every girl at QCPS to feel that she is known and valued as an individual, and that school is a safe place where she can come as she is. Of course, we love to see girls arriving excited and ready for the day, but it is just as important that they know they can come to school feeling worried or upset and that there will always be someone here to listen and support them.
“Wellbeing and academic success are intrinsically linked. When girls feel safe, secure and valued, they are able to engage fully in their learning, build strong relationships and pursue the opportunities around them with confidence. I’m really looking forward to getting to know our girls and their families, and building on the strong pastoral care already at the heart of QCPS.”
Looking ahead
Emily and Charlie's appointments form part of the continued development of the Prep’s leadership team and its longer-term vision for an ambitious, nurturing education in which every girl is known, supported and encouraged to flourish.
Ailsa Buddle and Georgia Habanananda, Co-Heads, comment:
“We are delighted to have Charlie and Emily in post as our new Deputy Heads. They bring complementary strengths to our leadership team, with Charlie’s deep understanding of QCPS and passion for excellent teaching and learning alongside Emily’s extensive experience in pastoral care, safeguarding and child development.
“Their appointments reflect our longer-term vision for the Prep: a school where academic ambition and exceptional pastoral care go hand in hand, and where every girl has the confidence, curiosity and support to thrive. We are very excited about what this strengthened leadership team will enable us to achieve together.”
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