
It is with great pride and a profound sense of responsibility that I step into the role of Acting Head of The English School from September 2025 to January 2026, until we warmly welcome our new Headmaster, Mr Nicholas Eatough, in the new year.
As I begin this interim chapter, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Stuart Walker for his dedicated leadership over the past two years. His calm and steady presence brought much-needed stability to our School community. He championed student voice, prioritised wellbeing, and strengthened the foundations on which we now continue to build. On behalf of the entire School, I extend our sincere thanks and wish him all the very best for the future.
This year is of particular significance—it marks 125 years since the founding of The English School. This extraordinary milestone invites us not only to celebrate the past, but also to reflect on our values, renew our vision, and imagine the future. At the same time, as we celebrate our rich history, we aim to bring together students, staff, alumni, and families through events such as Founder’s Day, Talent Night, and the Barbecue to capture what it means to be part of this unique institution.
For me, this celebration is especially poignant. I have had the privilege of experiencing The English School through many lenses—student, parent, teacher, Head of Department, Senior Leader, and now Acting Head. Few institutions leave such a lasting imprint on one’s life, and I am honoured to give back to a school that has given so much to me, my family, and to generations of others.
Founded to educate and empower young people to lead with integrity and vision, The English School continues to be a place where excellence is pursued not only in academics, but in character. In a rapidly changing world—shaped by rapid technological advances, global challenges, and social complexity—our mission to cultivate thoughtful, principled, and resilient individuals is more relevant than ever.
We are proud to offer an education where values such as democracy, independent thought, respect, and responsibility are at the heart of all we do. Student voice is championed, curiosity is celebrated, and the courage to think differently is nurtured. Alongside this, we focus on developing the essential skills of the future: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication—preparing our learners to engage meaningfully with the world around them.
As we celebrate 125 years of shaping minds and building futures, I look forward to working with all in our community: staff, students, and supportive families to continue this remarkable journey—honouring our past, enriching our present, and inspiring our future.
Warm regards,
Popi Grouta, Acting Head
Popi Grouta is a distinguished educator and senior school leader with over three decades of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and academic leadership. Before joining The English School, Nicosia in 1998 as a Business and Economics teacher, she spent ten years teaching Economics at the American Academy in Nicosia, where she developed a reputation for academic excellence and a deep commitment to student achievement.
She holds a BSc in Economics from Queen Mary College, University of London, and a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Surrey, a unique combination of subject knowledge and pedagogical expertise that has shaped her dynamic and student-centered approach to education.
At The English School, Ms Grouta quickly became a key figure in the advancement of the Economics curriculum. From 2008 to 2018, she served as Head of the Economics and Business Studies Department, leading strategic initiatives to improve teaching standards and learning outcomes.
As Deputy Head, Ms Grouta holds overarching responsibility for the school’s curriculum, with a particular focus on Teaching and Learning. She has led the development of assessment, marking, and feedback systems to ensure high-quality academic provision across departments. She also oversees the effective delivery of the syllabus and the school’s structured support programme. Additionally, she manages the Apolytirion qualification process in line with the standards of the Ministry of Education.
From September 2025 to January 2026, Ms Grouta will serve as Acting Head, steering the school through a period of transition and implementing its strategic action plan until the arrival of the new Headmaster, Mr Nicholas Eatough.
Ms Grouta’s tenure at The English School is marked not only by her professional contributions but also by a personal devotion to its values and legacy. An alumna of the School herself and the parent of three English School graduates, she is deeply invested in its continued success.
As she reflects:
“Few institutions have the power to shape a life so completely. The English School has not only guided my path—it has helped define who I am.”