Mrs Chapman joined St Gabriel’s in January 2017, following a distinguished career in education. Prior to joining us, she served as Deputy Head at Badminton School in Bristol, an independent girls’ boarding school, and spent over 20 years working in schools in the Bristol area. Her earlier career also included teaching roles in a London boys’ school and a co-educational boarding school, bringing her a breadth of experience and deep understanding of the educational landscape.

During her time at St Gabriel’s, Mrs Chapman has been a passionate advocate for holistic and balanced education and has remained steadfast in her commitment to achieving the best outcomes for every pupil. As Vice-Principal, she brought wisdom and strategic clarity to the leadership team, always placing the needs and wellbeing of pupils at the heart of her decision-making.

Alongside her leadership role, Mrs Chapman continued to teach languages — primarily Spanish and some Italian — with characteristic flair and enthusiasm. Notably, she delivered a one-year Italian GCSE course in which every pupil achieved an A*, a reflection of her dedication, high expectations and inspirational teaching.

Mrs Chapman’s caring nature, forward-thinking approach and unwavering support for both staff and students have left a lasting impression on the St Gabriel’s community. Her leadership has been marked by integrity, compassion and a deep sense of purpose, and she will be greatly missed by colleagues and pupils alike.

As she retires, Mrs Chapman looks forward to embracing new adventures and more time for travel. We thank her for her extraordinary contribution to school life and wish her all the very best for a happy, fulfilling and well-earned retirement.