From Dailymail · · 1m 40s
Headteacher pleads guilty to cyclist injury
London headteacher admits causing cyclist's broken wrist while driving.
In brief
London headteacher admits causing cyclist's broken wrist while driving. Catherine Hitchcock, headmistress of £20,000-a-year Donhead Preparatory School, pleaded guilty to driving without due care after causing cyclist Robert Atkinson to fracture his wrists. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Headteacher pleads guilty
Catherine Hitchcock, 49, headmistress of £20,000-a-year Donhead Preparatory School, admitted to driving without due care.
Cyclist injured
Robert Atkinson fractured his wrists after falling off his bike.
Location
Accident occurred at Belvedere Grove mini roundabout in Wimbledon, south-west London.
Date
February 10, 2026, when she pulled into the cyclist's path.
How injury happened
She caused him to fall forward onto his handlebars without hitting his bike.
School connection
She attended school previously attended by England rugby player Danny Cipriani.
Other roles
She is also a governor of Putney High School.
Driving history
She previously had a clean driving license and was fined £911 with five penalty points.
Education
She studied geography at Oxford University and completed her PGCE.
Career
She began teaching at Finchley Catholic High School in 1999.
School tenure
She joined Donhead Preparatory School in 2015 and became headteacher in January 2024.
Professional role
She works with the Independent Schools Inspectorate to inspect private schools.
Legal plea
Her lawyer pleaded guilty on her behalf for driving without due care.
Apology
She admitted the cyclist had the right of way and apologized for causing him to fall.
Injury severity
The injuries were described as minor with a significant distance between car and cyclist.
Correction
A previous version incorrectly stated she crashed into the cyclist.
Here's the gist
Catherine Hitchcock, headmistress of £20,000-a-year Donhead Preparatory School, pleaded guilty to driving without due care after causing cyclist Robert Atkinson to fracture his wrists.
