The Governors of the Whitgift Foundation announced the appointment of Mr Christopher Tarrant, then Headmaster of Wilson's School in Wallington, as the next Headmaster of Trinity. He took up his post in September. Mr Tarrant succeeded Mr Barnaby Lenon, who had been Headmaster since 1994 and moved later that year to become Headmaster of Harrow School.

A resident of Purley, Mr Tarrant, then aged 46, gained his degree at Cambridge and studied Theology at Bristol. After several teaching posts in Nigeria, he was appointed to Whitgift School. There, alongside teaching Geography, he ran rugby and cricket teams and was involved in outdoor activities. He moved to Aylesbury Grammar School as Head of Geography in 1984 and was appointed to Wilson's in 1994.

Mr Tarrant included classical music, art, architecture, and walking among his recreations. He was also a keen sportsman who played cricket and water polo. He was married with three children, and his wife, Joyce, was a local doctor. Furthermore, he was a highly regarded author of various books on Religious Education, including the popular Life in Bible Times, which had been translated into five languages.

At Trinity, Mr Tarrant intended to teach some Geography, but otherwise planned to spend his first year getting to know the school. He was greatly looking forward to joining Trinity and meeting parents and pupils.