King’s elite choir school at Windsor Castle appoints first ever female head after 675 years as she reveals she is ‘overwhelmed by the kindness’
The King’s elite choir school at Windsor Castle has broken with centuries of tradition by appointing the first ever female headmaster in its 675-year history.
Emma Karolyi, 53, fought off a host of strong male challengers for the top spot at St George’s School.
Dating back to 1348, it was founded by King Edward III to provide choristers for the royal family.
And for almost 700 years the choir has provided St George’s Chapel for their daily church services and royal birthdays, weddings and funerals.
It is steeped in history and has educated royals including Lady Louise Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex and HRH Princess Eugenie.
Emma Karolyi, 53, battled off a host of strong male challengers for the top spot at St George’s School, Windsor Castle
The school dates back to 1348 and was founded by King Edward III to provide choristers for the Royal Family
But Ms Karolyi said she was ‘not phased’ by becoming the first female head in the school’s history and told the Mail she was ‘excited’ to get started.
She said: “This is a truly wonderful school and a truly unique gem, and it will be a privilege to run the school.
‘I’m really looking forward to getting started. I was the female head of Junior Kings, my current school, and it actually didn’t bother me at all.
‘I am so impressed by the friendliness. The children are so involved in their learning process. The staff are incredibly warm and were very hospitable.
‘We are all part of one kind of fantastic school, one machine, and without that one part it wouldn’t be the school. That’s my philosophy. Everyone is equally valued.’
Ms. Karolyi brings with her a wealth of knowledge gained over the past 30 years in education.
Most recently, she led for six years at Junior King’s in Canterbury, where she oversaw a boarding and day school that was shortlisted for this year’s Independent Prep School of the Year.
Once a keen student herself, Ms Karolyi holds a Masters degree in Classical Studies and Ancient History from the University of St Andrews. She is an accomplished musician who plays the viola, currently as a member of The King’s Orchestra.
Ms Karolyi said she was ‘not phased’ by becoming the first female head in the school’s history and told the Mail she was ‘excited’ to get started
Ms. Karolyi brings with her a wealth of knowledge gained over the past 30 years in education
The King’s elite choir school at Windsor Castle has broken with centuries of tradition by appointing the first-ever female principal in its 675-year history
Ian Canning, Chairman of Governors at St George’s School Windsor Castle, said: ‘We are delighted to appoint Emma Karolyi as Head of St George’s School Windsor Castle, effective from September 2024.
“Emma emerged from an exceptionally talented field of candidates because of the passion she showed for our groundbreaking International Baccalaureate curriculum, her genuine warmth and friendliness and, above all, her like-minded desire to strive for the very best outcomes for our students.
“We look forward to Emma and her family getting to know our staff, students and the wider St. George’s community in the coming months.”
Mrs Karolyi will move to St George’s next summer with her husband Julian, who is currently a lecturer in modern foreign languages and head of university admissions at The King’s School, along with their dog Bertie.
The couple also have two adult children: Tommy, who is in his final year at Bristol Old Vic Theater School, and Lottie, who is studying at the University of St Andrews.