Joseph Spence (headmaster)

Joseph Spence
Born (1959-12-18) 18 December 1959 (age 65)
OccupationMaster of Dulwich College
Academic background
EducationSt Philip's School
Salesian College, Battersea
Alma materUniversity of Reading (BA)
Birkbeck, University of London (PhD)
Academic work
InstitutionsEton College
Oakham School
Dulwich College

Joseph Arthur Francis Spence was the Master of Dulwich College from 2009-2024. He was previously Headmaster of Oakham School and Master in College at Eton College.[1][2]

Early life

Spence was born on 18 December 1959. He was educated at St Philip's School, a grammar school in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, and at Salesian College, Battersea, a Roman Catholic school in Battersea, London. He studied modern history and politics at the University of Reading, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. He then undertook postgraduate research at Birkbeck College, University of London, completing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1991.[3] His doctoral thesis was titled "The philosophy of Irish Toryism, 1833-52: a study of reactions to liberal reformism in Ireland in the generation between the first Reform Act and the Famine: with especial reference to expressions of national feeling among Protestant ascendancy".[4]

Education career

From 1987 to 1992, Spence taught history and politics at Eton College, a public boys boarding school in Eton, Berkshire.[1][5] He served as Master in College, responsible for the boarding house containing the King's Scholars, from 1992 to 2002.[6] He then moved to Oakham School, a co-educational private school in Rutland, where he was Headmaster.[5] In 2009, he became Master of Dulwich College, a boys private school in South London.[7] In December 2023 he announced his retirement which was planned for 2025. However, in August 2024 he announced he was stepping down after an incident with a member of staff during a staff party.[8]

Literary work

Spence wrote the libretto for The Yellow Wallpaper, an opera by British composer Dani Howard based on the 1892 short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which premiered at the Copenhagen Opera Festival in August 2023.[9]

Honours and awards

In May 2024, Spence was shortlisted for the Times Education Supplement Independent Headteacher of the Year.[10] He was announced as the winner of the award in June 2024, citing his work to promote "Free Learning" and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b Moss, Paul (12 May 2010). "Why has Eton produced so many prime ministers?". BBC News. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Dr. Joe Spence". Board of trustees. Inspiring Futures. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Spence, Dr Joseph Arthur Francis". Who's Who 2018. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2017. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.43127.
  4. ^ Spence, Joseph (1991). The philosophy of Irish Toryism, 1833-52: a study of reactions to liberal reformism in Ireland in the generation between the first Reform Act and the Famine : with especial reference to expressions of national feeling among Protestant ascendancy (Ph.D). University of London. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b "The Master's Welcome". Dulwich College. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  6. ^ "What makes a good school?". Service Parents' Guide to Boarding Schools. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  7. ^ "On the move". TES Newspaper. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  8. ^ "Dulwich College headmaster steps down after outburst at staff party". Financial Times. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  9. ^ Camilla (4 June 2023). "The Yellow Wallpaper". Copenhagen Opera Festival. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  10. ^ McNamee, Annie (8 May 2024). "All the UK schools nominated for prizes at the prestigious Tes School Awards 2024". Time Out. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  11. ^ Turner, Cerys (21 June 2024). "The Tes Schools Awards 2024 winners revealed". TES. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
Academic offices
Preceded by Master of Dulwich College
2009–2024 		Incumbent