John Thorley

John Thorley (19402026) was a British classicist, philologist and educator who was Headmaster of Trinity School, Carlisle from 1978 to 1983 and Principal of Charlotte Mason College, Ambleside from 1983 to 1994.

Early life and education Thorley was born in South Yorkshire on 27 May 1940 . He read classics at King’s College, Durham and gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Nottingham. He then received a Master of Arts in classics from the University of Durham, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in classics from the University of Hull.

Career Thorley began his career teaching classics in the 1960s. He served as headmaster at Trinity School, Carlisle from 1978 to 1983, after which he was principal of Charlotte Mason College, Ambleside until 1994. While Thorley was at Charlotte Mason College, the college increased its subject provision. Starting in 1992, it became affiliated with Lancaster University, at which point Thorley became the Dean of Education Faculty until 1994. Two years later, the college became affiliated with St Martin's College, Lancaster.