Joseph Spence (headmaster)
{{Short description|Master of Dulwich College}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox academic
| name = Joseph Spence
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1959|12|18}}
| occupation = Master of Dulwich College
| education = St Philip's School
Salesian College, Battersea
| alma_mater = University of Reading (BA)
Birkbeck, University of London (PhD)
| workplaces = Eton College
Oakham School
Dulwich College
}}
Joseph Arthur Francis Spence was the Master of Dulwich College from 2009-2024. He was previously Headmaster of Oakham School and Master in College at Eton College.{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Paul|title=Why has Eton produced so many prime ministers?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8622933.stm|accessdate=28 February 2014|newspaper=BBC News|date=12 May 2010}}{{cite web|title=Dr. Joe Spence|url=http://www.inspiringfutures.org.uk/about_inspiring_futures/who_we_are/board_of_trustees.aspx|work=Board of trustees|publisher=Inspiring Futures|accessdate=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140228154001/http://www.inspiringfutures.org.uk/about_inspiring_futures/who_we_are/board_of_trustees.aspx|archive-date=28 February 2014|url-status=usurped}}
Early life
Spence was born on 18 December 1959. He was educated at St Philip's School, a grammar school in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, and at Salesian College, Battersea, a Roman Catholic school in Battersea, London. He studied modern history and politics at the University of Reading, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. He then undertook postgraduate research at Birkbeck College, University of London, completing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1991.{{cite web|title=Spence, Dr Joseph Arthur Francis|website=Who's Who 2018|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.43127|date=1 December 2017|url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/display/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-43127}} His doctoral thesis was titled "The philosophy of Irish Toryism, 1833-52: a study of reactions to liberal reformism in Ireland in the generation between the first Reform Act and the Famine: with especial reference to expressions of national feeling among Protestant ascendancy".{{cite thesis|last1=Spence|first1=Joseph|title=The philosophy of Irish Toryism, 1833-52: a study of reactions to liberal reformism in Ireland in the generation between the first Reform Act and the Famine : with especial reference to expressions of national feeling among Protestant ascendancy|url=http://catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/record=b1601513~S24|publisher=University of London|accessdate=29 June 2024|date=1991|type=Ph.D }}
Education career
From 1987 to 1992, Spence taught history and politics at Eton College, a public boys boarding school in Eton, Berkshire.{{cite web|title=The Master's Welcome|url=http://www.dulwich.org.uk/college/about/the-masters-welcome|publisher=Dulwich College|accessdate=28 February 2014}} He served as Master in College, responsible for the boarding house containing the King's Scholars, from 1992 to 2002.{{cite web|title=What makes a good school?|url=http://www.serviceschools.co.uk/cms/what_makes_a_good_school_new/|publisher=Service Parents' Guide to Boarding Schools|accessdate=28 February 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130218/http://www.serviceschools.co.uk/cms/what_makes_a_good_school_new/|url-status=dead}} He then moved to Oakham School, a co-educational private school in Rutland, where he was Headmaster. In 2009, he became Master of Dulwich College, a boys private school in South London.{{cite news|title=On the move|url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6022684|accessdate=28 February 2014|newspaper=TES Newspaper|date=11 September 2009}} In December 2023 he announced his retirement which was planned for 2025. However, in August 2024 he announced he was stepping down after an incident with a member of staff during a staff party.{{cite news|title=Dulwich College headmaster steps down after outburst at staff party|URL=https://www.ft.com/content/6f763d26-eec2-4945-b2c2-9157ea1cfdb4|accessdate=24 August 2024|newspaper=Financial Times|date=24 August 2024}}
Literary work
Spence wrote the libretto for The Yellow Wallpaper, an opera by British composer Dani Howard based on the 1892 short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which premiered at the Copenhagen Opera Festival in August 2023.{{Cite web |last=Camilla |date=2023-06-04 |title=The Yellow Wallpaper |url=https://www.operafestival.dk/the-yellow-wallpaper/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Copenhagen Opera Festival |language=en-US}}
Honours and awards
In May 2024, Spence was shortlisted for the Times Education Supplement Independent Headteacher of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/all-the-uk-schools-nominated-for-prizes-at-the-prestigious-tes-school-awards-2024-050824 |title=All the UK schools nominated for prizes at the prestigious Tes School Awards 2024 |last=McNamee |first=Annie |date=8 May 2024 |publisher=Time Out |access-date=29 June 2024}} He was announced as the winner of the award in June 2024, citing his work to promote "Free Learning" and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.{{cite web |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/revealed-tes-schools-awards-2024-winners |title=The Tes Schools Awards 2024 winners revealed |last=Turner |first=Cerys |date=21 June 2024 |publisher=TES |access-date=29 June 2024}}
References
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Category:Masters of Dulwich College
Category:Schoolteachers from Warwickshire
Category:Alumni of the University of Reading
Category:Alumni of Birkbeck, University of London