Mr Clarke’s teaching career has included posts at Cheltenham College, Brighton College and Wellington College, Berkshire, before his appointment as Deputy Head at Warminster School. He later became Head of Frensham Heights School in Farnham, Surrey, where he led the development of a new vision and mission for the school. During his time there, pupil numbers grew, academic results strengthened, and the school achieved its most successful ISI Educational Quality Inspection to date.

After a brief return to frontline teaching at Kingswood School in Bath, Mr Clarke recognised that his leadership experience, combined with his ambitious and joyful approach to learning, aligned perfectly with the distinctive ethos of St James. He is now Head of St James Senior Boys’ School in Ashford, Surrey, as both St James senior schools begin an exciting transition to coeducation, welcoming girls and boys into Year 7 and Year 12 from September 2027.