Head of school at Tatnall departs in middle of the academic year

The News Journal

The head of The Tatnall School, Christopher R. Tompkins, has left the institution in the middle of the academic year, according to a letter sent to faculty and staff Tuesday.

The letter does not say why Tompkins, who has been at the private prep school in Greenville for less than two years, is leaving "effective immediately." His school email account was already disabled Tuesday.

Christopher Tompkins addresses the crowd as Tatnall School graduates more than 60 students in its 87th commencement Saturday, June 9, 2018. Tompkins has left the institution in the middle of the academic year, according to a letter sent to faculty and staff Tuesday.

Tatnall's website now lists Dr. Timothy Burns, who was headmaster before Tompkins joined the school in July 2017, as interim head of school.

"Over the past year and a half, Tatnall has benefited from Chris' steadfast commitment to strengthening our school's competitive position," Board of Trustees President Stephen D. Marvin says in the letter. "Focusing on innovative curriculum, improved student programs and the transformation of the physical plant, Chris has helped build a strong foundation for Tatnall's continued growth."

"We wish him the very best."

Click here to jump to the bottom of the page and read the whole letter.

In a statement sent to The News Journal, the school said: "Tompkins made significant contributions to the school during his time as head, and the school wishes him the very best in his future endeavors."

Marketing and communications director Page McConnel did not provide any additional information about his departure.

Since interim head Burns left Tatnall, he has served as interim head of school at the Forsyth School in St. Louis, Missouri. In the letter, Marvin says the former school leader will return to Tatnall's campus on Monday.

Tim Burns addresses the soon-to-be alumni as Tatnall School honors the 62 graduates in the Class of 2017 during the school's 86th commencement. Burns, who was headmaster before Tompkins joined the school in July 2017, is now listed as the interim head of school.

"Tim's familiarity with our community, strategic priorities, ongoing initiatives, mission and culture makes him a natural fit for our leadership needs," Marvin wrote. "Details about selecting the permanent head of school will be shared as they become available."

Tatnall has about 550 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the Delaware Department of Education. Tuition ranges from $18,500 to $28,650, depending on the grade level.

Before joining Tatnall, Tompkins was head of school at the Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he established a writing center, implemented a state-of-the-art design lab and secured a large capital gift for the preschool playground.

Prior to working at Episcopal Collegiate, he was the head of school at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, where he served from 2008 to 2015.

He was hired at the conclusion of the "most comprehensive" head of school search in Tatnall's history, the school said in 2016. Top candidates were invited to campus, where they met with faculty and staff, students, parents, alumni, trustees, community members and the Advisory and Search Committee.

Tompkins was welcomed to Tatnall along with his wife, Kate, and children, Hannah, a student at Sewanee: The University of the South; Phoebe, who at the time was a rising eleventh grader; and Christopher, who was a rising seventh grader.

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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.