Surrey

Meet Nicki Fry, the head at Tormead Prep &#8211; a leader who once staged Cabaret at school, insisted on endless “play school” games as a child, and now champions creativity, confidence and kindness across the prep. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry.jpg" alt="Nicky Fry, head at Tormead Prep School in Guildford, Surrey" class="wp-image-65425" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Tormead-Nicki-Fry-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nicky Fry, the head at Tormead Prep School in Guildford.</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-long-have-you-been-at-tormead-where-were-you-before-tormead-and-how-long-were-you-there">How long have you been at Tormead? Where were you before Tormead (and how long were you there)?</h3>



I have been at Tormead since the summer term of 2008. Prior to joining the school, I lived in the south of France for my daughter’s early years. Before our move to France, I was deputy head at the Old Vicarage School in Richmond where I worked for nine years. My first teaching job was at Clayesmore Preparatory School in Dorset, and I also worked in a middle school in the Midlands for a year.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-impressions-what-attracted-you-to-tormead">First impressions? What attracted you to Tormead?</h3>



As soon as I walked through the school gates, Tormead felt like home. With a strong family feel, Tormead welcomed me and I felt assured that both Mia and I would thrive and be extremely happy here. Eighteen years on, all my instincts have been proved correct, and I am very proud to say: I am a Tormeadian through and through.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-top-three-things-to-tackle-in-your-inbox">What are the top three things to tackle in your inbox?</h3>



When I open my inbox, my top consideration is how I will support our community through my responses. This can look like:



<ul>
<li>Offering practical and emotional support and modelling our key values of kindness to pupils, staff and parents.</li>



<li>Identifying new and exciting opportunities for pupils and staff, and constantly considering how we can move the school forward to exceed our students’ needs. Literally, every day is a school day leading Tormead, and our team rises to the challenge of providing the very best education.</li>



<li>Communicating our school strategy for the year ahead and sharing my vision for teaching and learning goals in 2026/27.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-30-second-elevator-pitch-for-your-school-sell-it">30-second elevator pitch for your school &#8211; sell it!</h3>



Walking around our school, pupils, visitors and staff members alike can see triangles pinned on noticeboards and displayed on walls, embedding our key messaging for the girls. There are three triangles, signifying each key message:



<ul>
<li>Our Family Triangle emphasises that pastoral care and academic excellence go hand in hand at Tormead.</li>



<li>Our Higher Order Thinking Triangle demonstrates our belief that every pupil can achieve academic excellence, given the right encouragement and learning environment.</li>



<li>Our Future Leaders and Empowerment Triangles show the girls that we challenge gender bias and stereotypes so they know there is no subject or career path they cannot choose.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-would-star-as-nicki-fry-in-the-movie-of-your-life">Who would star as Nicki Fry in the movie of your life?</h3>



This was a great one to think about! I’m going to aim high and say Kate Winslet. I admire her greatly as she is a strong and authentic female leader, both off and on screen.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-been-given-a-1m-donation-for-tormead-prep-school-what-will-you-spend-it-on">You’ve been given a £1m donation for Tormead Prep School &#8211; what will you spend it on?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Tormead-Prep-2020-29-1000x667.jpg" alt="Tormead Prep School in Guildford, Surrey." class="wp-image-52847" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Tormead-Prep-2020-29-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Tormead-Prep-2020-29-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Tormead-Prep-2020-29-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Tormead-Prep-2020-29-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Tormead-Prep-2020-29.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tormead Prep School in Guildford</figcaption></figure>



An interesting question, and one without a simple answer as Tormead has recently invested heavily in new facilities. With increased pupil numbers, the Prep School renovated and repurposed a residential property adjacent to the school. This beautiful building now houses Year 5 classrooms, a food tech classroom and a new library.



That said, with an extra £1m, we could build a new performance space solely for Prep pupils. Drama and music feature strongly in our pupils’ lives and, although we are fortunate to have access to the Senior School theatre, I would love for the Prep School to have its own performing arts facility for daily use. Also high on my wish list is a swimming pool!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-your-own-childhood-school-days">Describe your own childhood school days.</h3>



I loved school and remember with great affection my favourite teachers who inspired me to follow my vocation. There was never any doubt that teaching was my calling &#8211; as my younger sister would confirm if asked, I insisted that we played endless games of ‘school’ when we were children.



I attended a small family-run Prep School, then moved to a convent school before studying A-Levels at a co-ed Sixth Form.



My fondest memories are from school productions, particularly my big break in the lead role of Sally Bowles in a school production of Cabaret. I was 16 years old but loved it and remember that feeling so clearly. That’s why I love watching the girls performing in school plays now &#8211; I know they’re making memories, and building confidence, for life. Life is certainly a cabaret!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-the-common-theme-of-nicki-fry-s-school-reports">What was the common theme of Nicki Fry&#8217;s school reports?</h3>



I grew up in an era where one word was sufficient to describe pupils’ academic ability and effort. I was always complimented on working and trying hard in all subjects. However, I do remember one comment from the Head Teacher that reoccurred: “chatty!”.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-and-worst-subject-at-school">Best and worst subject at school?</h3>



Best subjects: English, history and drama &#8211; I went on to study English and Drama at Exeter University.



Worst subjects: Maths. I lacked confidence in maths as a child, feeling the pressure to answer questions before truly understanding the necessary calculations. Interestingly, maths has become a subject I hugely enjoy teaching, particularly helping those pupils who feel this same anxiety around the subject. I empathise and love finding different ways to explain how to solve problems so that they reach the answers with confidence and independence.



French. Moving to France ensured I fell in love with French culture and language, and we continue to visit once or twice a year.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-you-go-to-uni">Where did you go to uni?</h3>



Exeter University, where I studied English and Drama with Primary Education (BA Honours with Education).



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-your-high-and-low-of-student-life">What was your high and low of student life?</h3>



Low: Second-year accommodation secured in the height of summer &#8211; a house running on a 50p meter for electricity and heating, which was a nightmare if you had no change. We also hadn’t realised when signing up that the mainline train station ran at the bottom of our postage-stamp-sized garden, and the foundations of the house shook every time a train passed. However, many laughs were had writing poetry or practising lines for plays with my best friend in that tiny kitchen, heated by the oven!



High: Writing and directing productions for my Year 3 and Year 4 performances involving fellow students.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-you-weren-t-a-head-what-would-you-be">If you weren’t a Head, what would you be?</h3>



I’ve always thought TV presenting looked fun. I would have loved to work on something like Strictly Come Dancing, having such fond memories of watching the show with multiple generations of my family. I’m also partial to the sparkles and glamour of the show and am always in awe of the work invested by the dancers. It’s so inspiring for us all to see that hard work and dedication really do pay off.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-what-s-on-your-work-desk">Describe what’s on your work desk…</h3>



My laptop, iPad, diary, notepad, a recent photo of a family trip to Cambodia, and a postcard that my husband gave me which reads:



La vie ce n’est pas d’attendre que les orages passent, c’est d’apprendre à danser sous la pluie. [“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”]



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-what-s-in-the-top-drawer">And what’s in the top drawer?</h3>



I will let you in on a secret &#8211; all teachers love stationery and I am no different. My top drawer has a variety of pencil cases with pens and pencils, Post-it Notes, notepads and my name badge for Open Mornings.



I also have a letter from last year’s Head Girl, who is currently sitting her A-Levels. She wrote the most beautiful thank-you letter to me, sharing her memories of Tormead Prep and how her time here had given her great confidence. Her words were so moving that I treasure it and read it often. It’s why I do what I do.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-your-favourite-books-in-childhood-uni-and-now">Tell us your favourite books &#8211; in childhood, uni and now.</h3>



Childhood: Rebecca’s World &#8211; Journey to the Forbidden Planet by Terry Nation.



University: Outside the course books, novels and 18th-century poetry that I read for my degree, my love for murder mysteries developed with my Year 3 production piece, an adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novel Farewell, My Lovely.



Now: With strong female protagonists, I loved Kristin Hannah’s The Women and The Nightingale. Recently, I also read The Other Bennet Sister, which I thoroughly enjoyed, having studied Jane Austen for my A-Levels.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-best-school-trip-you-ve-ever-been-on">What’s the best school trip you’ve ever been on?</h3>



When I was a Year 6 teacher at Tormead, I loved leading the residential trips. We travelled to Brenscombe Outdoor Centre in Dorset for many years and spent a week outdoors experiencing bushcraft skills, kayaking, abseiling and long coastal walks. Absolute bliss &#8211; and a wonderful opportunity to see our pupils stepping out of their comfort zones and trying new challenges.



It was an incredible bonding experience for them. I always returned full of pride as every year, without fail, the staff at the centre would say they were in awe of how respectful, kind and supportive our pupils were.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-play-book-and-film-should-be-on-every-child-s-cultural-bucket-list">What play, book and film should be on every child’s cultural bucket list?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="796" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Film-the-sound-of-music-1000x796.jpg" alt="Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music (1965)" class="wp-image-65426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Film-the-sound-of-music-1000x796.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Film-the-sound-of-music-800x637.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Film-the-sound-of-music-400x318.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Film-the-sound-of-music-768x611.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/05/Film-the-sound-of-music.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Play: I believe a visit to the RSC or The Globe to see a Shakespeare play should be on that list. Each year, we have The Young Shakespeare Company visit us for workshops focusing on Shakespearean plays. The Year 5 pupils love the experience and have been fully engaged in productions such as Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. I would add A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth as must-sees.



Book: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling or Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.



Film: The Sound of Music.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-you-want-to-hide-from-the-kids-and-staff-for-half-an-hour-where-do-you-go">If you want to hide from the kids and staff for half an hour, where do you go?</h3>



Being a people person, I honestly prefer to be with the children and staff than sitting behind my desk.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-song-you-sing-at-full-volume-when-everyone-s-gone-home">The song you sing at full volume when everyone’s gone home?</h3>



My guilty pleasure is 70s disco, so it would have to be a big power tune like I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan or Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton.



I love a bit of classic country too &#8211; John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads and Dolly Parton’s Jolene spring to mind. Being a teen in the 80s, you may also catch me singing with great gusto to any Wham! or Madonna song from that decade.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-advice-would-you-give-to-a-younger-nicki-fry-and-your-current-students">What advice would you give to a younger Nicki Fry? And your current students?</h3>



I am going to quote A.A. Milne’s advice, which I have shared with many pupils over the years:



Promise me you’ll always remember…



You are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think, And LOVED more than you know.



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Tormead Prep is a day school in Guildford for girls aged 4-11 and forms part of Tormead School, with most pupils progressing automatically to the Senior School at Year 7. <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/school-reviews/tormead-prep-school-guildford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read our review here.</a>



<a href="https://www.tormeadschool.org.uk/prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tormead School</a>, Cranley Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 2JD. Tel:&nbsp;<a href="tel:01483 796091">01483 796091</a>

Head’s up! Nicki Fry, Tormead Prep School

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