Sutton High School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Emily Ruiz as its new Head of Prep School, effective September 2025. A highly experienced educator and leader, Mrs Ruiz returns to the school where she has been a dedicated staff member for over 15 years and a lifelong member of the Sutton High community.
Having attended Sutton High as both a Junior and Senior School pupil, Mrs Ruiz holds deep-rooted connections to the school and credits it with shaping the person she is today. “Sutton High has always held a very special place in my heart—and always will,” she shares. “To now have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation is both a privilege and an exciting challenge.”
Mrs Ruiz’s family history is also closely intertwined with Sutton High, as her mother served as Deputy Head of the Junior School in 1998 and later became Head between 2004 and 2009, leading with warmth, kindness, and vision—qualities Mrs Ruiz herself strives to embody in her leadership.
After earning a B-Ed (Hons) in Leeds, Mrs Ruiz began her teaching career in state schools within the London Borough of Sutton, where she spent over a decade before returning to Sutton High as a part-time teacher when her three children were young. Over fifteen years, she progressed to the role of Assistant Head, before moving to Croydon High GDST as Deputy Head. Now, her return to Sutton High as Head of Prep School is the culmination of a professional journey deeply connected to the school’s ethos and values.
“My vision is to provide a truly exceptional education—one that combines a rich, innovative curriculum with a dynamic extracurricular programme,” says Mrs Ruiz. “I am committed to fostering a strong sense of mutual respect among pupils, staff, parents, and governors and ensuring our school community remains warm, inclusive, and inspiring. I am eager to lead the school into its next chapter and looks forward to collaborating with staff and students to create an environment where every girl can reach her full potential.”
Head Beth Dawson, adds, “Mrs Ruiz is a true asset to the GDST, and our entire community and we are thrilled that she has returned to the Sutton High family. She is a passionate educator and will continue to ensure every pupil at Sutton High Prep feels seen, heard, valued, and included.”
