The new headmaster was Richard "Dick" Pedley (1912–1973); born in Dorset, Pedley had studied English at Downing College, Cambridge before serving in the Royal Artillery during World War II. Prior to becoming Head at Chis and Sid he had taught at City Boys' School, Leicester and St. Olave's School, Southwark. Fiercely competitive, he encouraged a heightened spirit of competitiveness within the school, strongly emphasising academic achievement with the intent of getting as many students as possible to go on to study at Oxford University or Cambridge University. His success in this aim led to the school attaining a national reputation, and within the maintained school sector, only Harrow College rivaled its achievements. Opinions about Pedley among staff varied greatly however, because his autocratic management style was criticised for achieving success for some pupils at the expense of others.