Dr Anne Cotton joined King’s College School, Wimbledon in 2022 as its first permanent female Head. She has been elected Chair of HMC, the Heads’ Conference, for 2026–27.

Dr Cotton has a deep interest in how schools can best prepare young people for the world beyond school, and in the educational developments and partnerships that will enable pupils to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Under her leadership, King’s is extending co-education through every year group over the next decade and has established a charitable foundation for bursaries, with the long-term aim of need-blind access.

Throughout her career, Dr Cotton has built collaborations across business, higher education and the arts. She has served as Director of Oxford Festival of the Arts, Chair of Ports Fest, and is a Director of the King’s family of international schools.

Beginning her teaching career in the maintained sector, she went on to hold a range of senior roles spanning pastoral care, professional development, teaching and learning, and community partnerships. Before joining King’s, she served as Deputy Head at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and at The Portsmouth Grammar School as Head.

Dr Cotton holds a Classics degree, a master’s degree and a DPhil from the University of Oxford, alongside an MA in Education. Her book, Platonic Dialogue and the Education of the Reader, was published by Oxford University Press in 2014.