Saint Ronan’s: Meet the Head – Joe Lewis
1. What first inspired you to become a Head, and what attracted you to lead this particular prep school?
What first inspired me to become a Head was a deep belief in the power of education to shape not just bright minds, but good people. I have always been motivated by the idea that schools should be places where children feel known, valued and inspired – where academic excellence sits alongside kindness, character and confidence.
Saint Ronan’s particularly attracted me because it is a school with a rich heritage, strong values and a real sense of community, set in an exceptional environment. At the same time, it has always been ahead of the curve in terms of pastoral care and pupil wellbeing; it is ambitious for its pupils and places the children at the centre of all that it does. There is a feeling that hits you the moment you walk through the doors of the school, an ineffable quality but one of warmth and welcoming.
The opportunity to lead a school that places such importance on character, curiosity and pastoral care, whilst bringing new ideas, innovation and fresh approaches to learning, felt like a privilege.
2. How would you describe the ethos of the school to a family visiting for the very first time?
Saint Ronan’s has a distinctive character, an unmistakable charm and a magic that people quickly fall in love with. It is a true family school, with a warm, informal and happy atmosphere, where staff are approachable, relationships are strong, and mud is entirely unremarkable.
In a world where children seem to grow up far too quickly, we offer something increasingly precious: a place where childhood is protected and cherished. We want our pupils to enjoy coming to school, to relish every opportunity, and to feel inspired to work hard, think independently, and grow into kind, gentle, courteous and honest young people.
At its heart, Saint Ronan’s is about nurturing confident, grounded children who are happy in themselves and ready to embrace the world ahead.
3. What do you believe sets an independent prep education apart in today’s world?
Relationships. A broad curriculum. Life skills. Social ease. The ability to forge positive and healthy friendships.
Independent prep schools offer community, humour, outstanding facilities, and extraordinary opportunities. Our greatest strength is our human capital: our staff, who know the children so well. We send pupils into adolescence confident, grounded, and ready to make a positive impact.
There is also the hidden curriculum, the things parents don’t always see: chapel, Congo, house go karting, everyday joy and laughter. These experiences, small as they may seem, are central to the magic of prep school life and shape children in ways that endure far beyond the classroom.
4. You’ve had a strong background in both cricket and rugby – how has sport shaped your approach to leadership and school life?
Sport has taught me resilience, composure under pressure, and the importance of connecting with people from all walks of life through mutual respect; lessons that boarding life reinforced beautifully.
Through sport, I have had the privilege to travel, to win, to lose, and to fail and in doing so, to learn. Captaining teams from an early age gave me my first lessons in leadership, teamwork, humility, and understanding human nature. Lessons that continue to shape the way I approach school life, relationships, and guiding young people today.
5. How important is sport and co curricular life in developing confident, well-rounded children?
Sport and co-curricular life are hugely important in helping children grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. Achievement builds confidence, while the challenges of sport and activities teach resilience through real-life experience.
These experiences also nurture healthy relationships and essential social skills; communication, listening, and resolving conflict. All whilst reinforcing discipline, character, and values. The lessons children learn in the playground, on the pitch, or through creative and cultural pursuits translate directly into later life.
At Saint Ronan’s, we aim to develop children who are not only academically capable but emotionally intelligent, socially aware, and culturally curious, ready to embrace the wider world with confidence.
6. What are you most proud of since taking on the role here?
Since taking on the role at Saint Ronan’s, I am proud of many things, but the ISI inspection stands out as a real testament to our team’s hard work, perseverance, and meticulous attention to detail. It was deeply affirming to see our shared values and commitment recognised.
Beyond formal achievements, however, it is the small, everyday moments that stay with me: children laughing, exploring new challenges, taking risks, and succeeding. Those moments capture the magic of Saint Ronan’s and remind me why this school is such a special place.
7. How does the school balance academic excellence with nurturing each child as an individual?
At Saint Ronan’s, we believe that wellbeing and pastoral care underpin academic success. Our children enjoy a “free range” childhood, with plenty of fresh air, space, and freedom to explore. This balance allows them to return to the classroom focused, engaged, and ready to achieve excellent outcomes, whilst still being nurtured as confident, curious individuals.
8. As a parent yourself, what do you look for in a school?
As a parent, I look for relationships, atmosphere, and the way children carry themselves. First-class teaching is, of course, essential, but so is the setting: give me an idiosyncratic, majestic old English estate, full of animals and open space, over a shiny building of concrete and strict rules any day. At Saint Ronan’s, we are conservatively liberal, and unapologetically so, balancing freedom and exploration with structure, excellence, and care.
9. When you’re not in school, how do you like to spend time with your family?
When I’m not at school, I’m at home with my wife and four children, it’s very sociable and delightfully chaotic. There’s travelling, catching up, and the occasional dog-induced scramble through the woods. We love dipping into the city, good food and plenty of laughter. Literature, music, sport, and endless conversation keep us connected and grounded.
10. What would you say to a family considering visiting the school for the first time?
Set in the heart of the magnificent Tongswood estate, Saint Ronan’s is a co-educational day and flexi-boarding school for children aged 2 to 13. With 250 acres of woodland, fields, and adventure, it offers a truly magical environment where children can explore, grow, and thrive.
At the centre stands Tongswood House, a grand, rambling Victorian mansion once home to the Gunther family of Oxo fame. Full of character and charm, it retains its unique spirit while embracing the modern: the Powerhouse houses our Engineering, Art, and Computing suites, we have the state-of-the-art Collymore Science Labs, and an astro turf for all-weather sport.
And yet, at its heart, the school remains the same: a warm, family atmosphere with a touch of Hogwartian wonder. We call it “Mind the Magic” and honestly, you have to see it to believe it!
