Miss Joan W Matthews
1925-2010
Headmistress of Nonsuch High School September 1964 - August 1987

Miss Matthews was appointed Headmistress of Nonsuch High School in September 1964. She had been awarded a History Degree by Girton College in 1946 and this was converted to a university degree in 1948 when women were finally admitted to full membership of Cambridge University. Following a teacher training course she was appointed history teacher at Bromley County Grammar School from where she moved to Notting Hill and Ealing GPDST as Head of History and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Headteacher. Nonsuch had opened in 1938 and Miss Matthews was only the second Headmistress when she was appointed at the comparatively early age of 38 to a school of 750 with a large Sixth Form.

Her early years at Nonsuch saw battles with local authorities resulting in the transfer of Nonsuch from Surrey County Council control to the London Borough of Sutton. Miss Matthews oversaw many site developments at the school to improve teaching facilities. The first project initiated was the building of a swimming pool, much of the funding for which was raised by parental contribution; without this it is unlikely that we would have our current excellent sports facilities. Other building projects included the Sixth Form Centre which, for the first time, gave the Sixth Form their own common room space and teaching rooms. The Science Block which provided 4 extra laboratories, preparation rooms and work areas was opened in 1976. This still stands but is now used for Drama, Religious Studies and Textile Technology. The first language laboratory was opened in 1985. The introduction of an automatic bell together with a public address system was a major innovation. All of this involved working closely with the local authority - not always easy as spending public money on grammar schools was not seen to be a priority.

Alongside the building initiatives, other things were changing to keep up with the times. Sixth Formers were no longer required to wear uniform, and a more open committee system replaced the formal prefect system previously in existence - this allowed more of the Sixth Form to take responsibility within the school. Changes were also afoot in the main school and 1968 saw the disappearance of the school tie and the introduction of a new school blouse and photos of the time suggest pupils were allowed to wear remarkably short skirts. Miss Matthews was keen to encourage Nonsuch students to play as full a role in the community as possible and activities in the community and money raising for charity were encouraged.

High on the list of Miss Matthews' priorities was the maintenance of high academic standards within the school. She knew her pupils well and achieved their respect. As a form tutor juggling envelopes of reports on my lap as she read through the 14 or 15 subject report slips for each girl while simultaneously listening to me reading my form tutor's comments, I was impressed not only by her ability to notice every split infinitive or spelling mistake which had passed me by, but also by her perceptive comments about the students themselves. She personally signed all reports - and also looked at all school examination papers. Miss Matthews also spent a little time in the classroom - teaching the First Form (and so finding out a little about each pupil) and also teaching History Special Paper to the Upper Sixth; these were not always serious sessions - she was well-travelled and some old girls remember her sharing holiday photos with them. Miss Matthews also knew her staff and was highly supportive of us. She retained an interest in the school long after retiring, coming back to Speech Days and concerts. Former students were amazed to be remembered by her many years later.

During her 23 years at Nonsuch she clearly touched many people and evidence of this was the number of old girls and staff coming back to Nonsuch to celebrate her 80th birthday with her.