Wiltshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-Wiltshire-Matt-Williams-head-teacher.jpg" alt="Matt Williams head teacher Warminster School " class="wp-image-31932" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-Wiltshire-Matt-Williams-head-teacher.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-Wiltshire-Matt-Williams-head-teacher-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-Wiltshire-Matt-Williams-head-teacher-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-Wiltshire-Matt-Williams-head-teacher-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-Wiltshire-Matt-Williams-head-teacher-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Matt Williams joined Warminster in 2019 after a tenure as Deputy Head at Sidcot School, Somerset, and 14 years at Rugby School. Born and brought up in Birmingham, he’s a loyal Aston Villa fan and all-round sports nut. He’s also big on teamwork – whether that’s on stage, in the orchestra, on the pitch or in the CCF. He lives with wife Nicola (a teacher) and, if he’s not at school, is likely found walking Labrador Murphy, cheering on Bath at The Rec or spending time with his three children Henry, Anna and Joseph. Muddy sat down for a cuppa and a chat.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School.jpg" alt="Warminster School" class="wp-image-31930" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Warminster-School-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-30-second-elevator-pitch-for-your-school-sell-it"><strong>30 second elevator pitch for your school – sell it!</strong></h2>



<p>Warminster School is a true community of opportunity, where young people are nurtured to find the things that will excite them and make them thrive. While grades are important, we look to develop a love of learning and instil values and virtues which will help our pupils roll with the punches that are thrown at them by an ever-changing world. Our staff go beyond what is expected in order that our pupils achieve above their expectations – both in and out of the classroom. We are small enough that everyone knows everyone, and individuals are valued, but big enough that there are myriad opportunities for pupils to explore new things and to take risks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-would-play-you-in-a-movie-about-your-life"><strong>Who would play you in a movie about your life?</strong></h2>



<p>As a former drama teacher and one-time frustrated actor, I may have to take on the role myself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-been-given-a-1m-donation-for-the-school-what-will-you-spend-it-on"><strong>You’ve been given a £1m donation for the school, what will you spend it on?</strong></h2>



<p>We are fortunate to have what is believed to be the oldest building in Warminster, which is currently occupied by our wonderful estates department. It would be wonderful to renovate it and create an exciting learning space, whilst providing a new and more appropriate home for the team.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-your-own-childhood-school-days"><strong>Describe your own childhood school days&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p>I went to a boys’ grammar school in Birmingham which had a view over my beloved Villa Park. I was actually a bit of a rogue and my teachers would be very surprised to learn what I currently do.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Villa-Park-Matt-Warminster-Headmaster.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37479" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Villa-Park-Matt-Warminster-Headmaster.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Villa-Park-Matt-Warminster-Headmaster-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Villa-Park-Matt-Warminster-Headmaster-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Villa-Park-Matt-Warminster-Headmaster-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Matt is a big Aston Villa fan </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-the-common-theme-of-your-school-reports"><strong>What was the common theme of your school reports?</strong></h2>



<p>Bright and capable but needs to work harder.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-and-worst-subject-at-school"><strong>Best and worst subject at school?</strong></h2>



<p>I loved English but despised mathematics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-you-weren-t-a-head-what-would-you-be"><strong>If you weren’t a head, what would you be?</strong></h2>



<p>I always thought I would go into journalism when I was younger, but I’m not sure I could report on some of the terrible things that happen in our world. At university I had a job working in a hotel, running the bar and serving in the restaurant. That was a very enjoyable time, so perhaps I would go into hospitality.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-best-school-trip-you-ve-ever-been-on"><strong>What’s the best school trip you’ve ever been on?</strong></h2>



<p>Whilst teaching at Rugby School I was very fortunate to go on some wonderful overseas sports tours, including to Sri Lanka, Japan, Grenada and Australia. The highlight from my own school days was a week in Russia in 1990, spending time in both Moscow and Leningrad, as it was then. Culturally this was fascinating as the country was undergoing massive changes.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/St-Petersburg.jpg" alt="St Petersburg" class="wp-image-36539" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/St-Petersburg.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/St-Petersburg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/St-Petersburg-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/St-Petersburg-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Matt visited St Petersburg, formerly Leningrad </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-you-go-to-uni-and-what-did-you-study"><strong>Where did you go to uni and what did you study?</strong></h2>



<p>I read Drama and English at Hull University. At the time, Hull had one of the best drama departments in the country and some brilliant lecturers. Being involved in productions in a world class theatre was a real pleasure and provided some amazing memories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-what-s-on-your-work-desk-and-what-s-in-the-top-drawer"><strong>Describe what’s on your work desk (and what’s in the top drawer)&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p>I have a life size human skull that on closer inspection is actually a candle. This was bought for me many years ago as a nod to Hamlet and my love of Shakespeare, but it resides on my desk and acts as an interesting talking point. Some have suggested that it belongs to a naughty pupil. My top drawer is always a mess and needs sorting out!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-have-any-hobbies"><strong>Do you have any hobbies?</strong></h2>



<p>I love watching sport and try to get to The Rec (Bath Rugby) and Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa, as often as time allows. I also love watching sport at school and always find myself on the touchline or by the astro for Saturday fixtures.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Bath-rugby-ball.jpg" alt="Bath Rugby Ball Bath Rugby Club " class="wp-image-36541" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Bath-rugby-ball.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Bath-rugby-ball-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Bath-rugby-ball-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Bath-rugby-ball-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-a-little-about-your-family-and-pets"><strong>Tell us a little about your family and pets&#8230;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Warminster-head-Matt-Williams-with-his-family.jpg" alt="Warminster School head Matt Williams " class="wp-image-37445" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Warminster-head-Matt-Williams-with-his-family.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Warminster-head-Matt-Williams-with-his-family-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Warminster-head-Matt-Williams-with-his-family-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Warminster-head-Matt-Williams-with-his-family-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I am married to Nicola, who teaches Year 5 at Warminster Prep. I have three children who currently all attend Warminster, with my eldest about to finish studying the International Baccalaureate. Our family dog, a black Labrador called Murphy, accompanies me to school every day and is well known and well-loved around school.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Murphy-the-dog-Warminster-School.jpg" alt="Murphy dog Waminster School " class="wp-image-37591" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Murphy-the-dog-Warminster-School.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Murphy-the-dog-Warminster-School-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Murphy-the-dog-Warminster-School-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/Murphy-the-dog-Warminster-School-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Murphy modelling Warminster&#8217;s scarf</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-about-your-favourite-books"><strong>Tell us about your favourite books&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p>My favourite books as a child were <em>The Hardy Boys</em> – an adventure series involving two young brothers. At uni, I spent most of my time reading for my course but did read quite a bit of ‘Beat’ fiction such as <em>On the Road</em> by Jack Kerouac. Now I spilt my reading between non-fiction books about leadership and education, sporting biographies and trashy adventure novels that I devour in a matter of hours.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-book-tv-show-film-or-play-should-all-kids-discover"><strong>What book, TV show, film or play should all kids discover?</strong></h2>



<p>Something of a cliché, but I still think <em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em> is a must read for all young people. The film starring Gregory Peck is also excellent and I’ve seen some very good stage adaptations &#8211; so perhaps that best fits the question!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-song-you-sing-at-full-volume"><strong>The song you sing at full volume?</strong></h2>



<p>I’ve become quite a country fan recently and love <em>Not Ready to make Nice</em> by The Chicks. It’s a song with a great tune, but also a great story behind it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/cowboy-boots.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37483" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/cowboy-boots.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/cowboy-boots-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/cowboy-boots-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/07/cowboy-boots-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-you-want-to-hide-from-the-kids-and-staff-for-half-an-hour-where-do-you-go-nbsp"><strong>If you want to hide from the kids and staff for half an hour, where do you go?&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>As I live on site, it is easy to pop home quickly if I need to escape and let Murphy have a run in the garden.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advice-you-d-give-your-younger-self-and-your-current-students"><strong>Advice you’d give your younger self – and your current students?</strong></h2>



<p>Find a chance every day to express kindness and gratitude and make the most of every opportunity.</p>



<p><strong>Keen to hear more? <strong>Keen to hear more?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warminsterschool.org.uk/admissions/admissions-overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book</a>&nbsp;onto one of the senior school’s mini open days</strong>. You can also check out&nbsp;our Muddy review of <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/muddy-best-schools-guide/warminster-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warminster Senior School</a> and <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/muddy-best-schools-guide/warminster-prep-school-warminster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warminster Prep School</a>. </strong></p>



<p><em><strong>Warminster School, Church St, Warminster BA12 8PJ, tel: </strong></em><strong><em>01985 210160,</em></strong><em><strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warminsterschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warminsterschool.org.uk</a></strong></em></p>


Head’s Up: Matt Williams of Warminster School, Warminster

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