David joined Brewin Dolphin in 1998, having graduated from the University of York. His expertise covers a wide range of financial planning areas, including tax efficient investment, pensions and retirement planning, investment planning, Inheritance Tax planning, trusts and offshore investment. He holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Chartered Financial Planner. He is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).

Aatif Hassan founded Dukes Education in 2015. He is also Chairman of Cavendish Education, a group of 11 schools for pupils with dyslexia and autism; and a trustee of St James Independent Schools. Aatif is also on the board of CReSTeD. Aatif has a first-class degree in Mathematics and Economics and also had a British Army commission. In 2020, he was awarded the Freedom of City of London for services to education.

Aatif Hassan is the Founder and Chairman of Cavendish Education, a family of 11 schools supporting pupils with learning differences such as dyslexia and autism. Growing up with dyslexia, Aatif had to work hard to find his own way to succeed and credits the encouragement and support of his family and school as crucial to this success. He founded Cavendish Education in 2013 with the simple aim to ‘give others the chance to succeed against the odds and in the face of obstacles'. Aatif is also the Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education and is Deputy Chairman of Governors at St. James Independent Schools. Aatif is also on the board of CReSTeD. He has a first-class degree in Mathematics and Economics and also had a British Army commission. In 2020, he was awarded the Freedom of City of London for services to education.

Adam has been Head of Highgate School, an independent, co-educational day school in North London since 2006. He read French and German at university and taught in two boarding schools before becoming Head of Modern Languages at Abingdon School and then Deputy Head at Norwich School. He still teaches French or German to a class of Year 9 Highgate pupils. Adam is interested in partnership teaching programmes which are a key feature at Highgate as the lead educational sponsor and co-founder of the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET). Adam is Deputy Chair of Governors there and also serves as a Governor at the London Academy of Excellence Stratford. Beyond work, Adam enjoys running marathons. He is also a recent convert to inter-railing which he enjoys with his wife, Barbara, a fellow languages teacher and Head of House at Highgate, and their three children.

Aileen Kane is COO of BSA Group, and the Director of SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association). Aileen leads operations at BSA providing guidance and training to member schools and works closely with government departments including DfE, Home Office, DIT, MOD, FCO, local authorities and other agencies to support member schools. She was a board member of the Boarding Schools Partnership group which aims to place vulnerable children into boarding schools and heads up BSA’s work to find places for refugee children escaping from conflict countries. A business graduate with over 17 years of marketing and communications experience, Aileen has worked as a head of international marketing in the beauty industry before entering the education sector. She managed the MAD (Marketing, Admissions, Development) departments at two independent UK schools within SMT/SLT to achieve strategic targets including growth and market awareness. Aileen is also a trustee of a children’s charity.

Alastair was brought up in Oxford and attended the Dragon, winning a Scholarship to Eton where he later taught. He took a Congratulatory First in Classics and Modern Languages at Merton College, Oxford, where he also won a Lightweight Rowing Half Blue. Formerly Deputy Head at Harrow, Alastair became Warden of St Edward’s on 1st September. He says: ‘There has never been a more exciting time to join St Edward’s. There is the strength of the community, grounded in a spirit of inclusion and built on an ethos of collaboration. There is the range of opportunity, from the choices in the Sixth Form to the depth of the co-curriculum. There is a vision for modern boarding which both mirrors life at home and allows time for pupils to be at home. There is momentum in examination results, in ideas and in admissions’. Alastair adds ‘It is an honour for me to have been appointed Warden of St Edward’s and to have the chance to build on the achievements of the last ten years. My philosophy of education aligns with the excellent developments put in place at the School by my predecessors. There must be opportunity for all to take part and for all to excel. Children’s happiness and their ability to recognise what will make them happy are more important than anything else. Teachers need not only to impart knowledge and to teach skills, but also to allow children to be themselves. Education is a profoundly personal enterprise, founded on good relationships and most successful when teachers and pupils can chart their own course. That philosophy has driven St Edward’s recent success and it will provide the foundation for the School’s future – a future which I hope we will share in Oxford.’ Alastair and his wife Zannah have two daughters.

Alastair Land, Head Master, attended Manchester Grammar School before he took a First in Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was President of the College's Students Union. After completing his PGCE at Cambridge, he began his career at Eton as a teacher of Biology. There he became a Deputy House Master and held several extra-curricular responsibilities, including command of the CCF. Alastair then spent nine years at Winchester, where he was Master in College and a member of the Senior Management Team. Alastair was Deputy Head Master at Harrow for nearly four years, from 2012, before he moved to Repton as Headmaster. He returned to Harrow as Head Master in April 2019. He has retained his interests in outdoor activity and scholarship; Alastair is developing a process of strategic development of boys boarding in the twenty first century and access to it for boys of all backgrounds and integrated working with local partners. He is a governor at Aysgarth, Orley Farm, Wellesley House and Dulwich Prep London, a member of Park High School, and has acted as an independent reviewer in the appraisal process of senior school headteachers.

Alastair has always had a strong sense of international identity having spent his formative years studying for a European Baccalaureate at The European School, Culham. He graduated with a degree in Biochemistry from Edinburgh, but quickly realised he lacked the patience to be a research scientist. He subsequently worked for several years in London recruiting finance staff for a range of clients in the oil industry before returning to Edinburgh University to retrain as a teacher. Subsequently, as well as successfully producing two offspring, he taught in a state school in London before moving to Abingdon School where he taught biology and ran the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme. He moved to St. Edward’s, Oxford in 2008 and held various posts including Head of Year and Head of Biology before being promoted to lead the IB Diploma programme. Five years of effort saw IB numbers eventually eclipse the numbers studying A levels. Alastair joined St Clare’s in November 2018 and continues the development of the highly successful IB diploma programme at the college.

Alex read Chemistry at St Edmund Hall, Oxford and subsequently obtained her PGCE at the University of Bristol. She has over twenty years of academic and pastoral experience gained at leading girls’ schools, both day and boarding. Her previous roles include teaching Chemistry at JAGS, Head of Science at St Mary’s School, Ascot, Head of Sixth Form at both Central Newcastle High School and Wimbledon High School and Deputy Head at Woldingham School. She was subsequently Headmistress at Woldingham for 4 years, before returning to JAGS as Head in September 2020. In her spare time, Alex is a keen walker and vegetable grower and a lover of the great outdoors.

With over 12 years’ experience working within the Swiss residential real estate market, Alex is based in London responsible for Knight Frank’s extensive Swiss network. Alex also represents the firm as the Knight Frank private wealth ambassador for Switzerland, spending much of his time working closely with the private wealth advisory community, assisting clients to navigate their Swiss property plans.

Alex Philo has worked across a wide range of property markets, in London and Surrey. Alex is Partner at Knight Frank's Wimbledon office.

Mrs Alexandra Haydon (MSc Oxon, BSc Durham) is Head of Francis Holland School, Sloane Square. Before joining FHS in January 2024, Alexandra was Deputy Head, Academic at Millfield, Europe’s largest boarding school. Prior to Millfield, Alexandra spent five years at St Mary’s Calne where she was Head of Science and latterly Senior Teacher. She won the i25 award for innovation and influence in the independent sector and was shortlisted in 2016 for the National Joan Sjovoll Award for STEM leadership.

Alice Phillips was educated at Kendal High School for Girls and went on to read English at Newnham College, Cambridge. After ten years as an English teacher, and then Head of English at the Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, she moved on to Deputy Headship at Tormead School, Guildford in 1993 and has been Headmistress of St Catherine’s, Bramley, an independent school for girls aged 4 – 18, near Guildford, since 2000. She is currently Chairman of the Girls’ Schools’ Association’s (GSA) Professional Development Committee, Chairman of the GSA South Central Region and is a member of GSA Council.

Swiss certified Tax expert and Partner of Transforma, Aline specialises in international tax law for private individuals, national and international corporate tax law. She has more than 20 years of experience in relocating families and companies to all regions of Switzerland and with her team is able to advise on migration, tax, insurance, real estate purchase, succession and all other issues in connection with a relocation and also for Swiss resident persons. Aline speaks English, French, German and Italian.

Alison Melrose has worked in co-educational and single-sex London Prep schools for over 25 years. Starting her career at Norland Place leading on Pre-Prep curriculum and enrichment, Alison moved to Broomwood Hall where she was Head of one of their schools for eight years and latterly worked centrally across the group as a Director. During her teaching career, Alison has worked across all Prep age groups and has been a co-opted school governor for over seven years, leading the development of a bilingual curriculum and school improvement. Alison joined Cognita in 2017 to develop the expansion of their London schools and was appointed as Headmistress of Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School which opened in September 2020 in Kensington.

Queen’s Gate welcomed Miss Amy Wallace as our ninth Principal in September 2022. Formerly Senior Deputy Head at St. Catherine’s, Twickenham, Miss Wallace's teaching career has included stints at Wycombe Abbey as a teacher and Housemistress, and St. Francis College, Letchworth, as Head of Sixth Form. For the past five years she has served as a governor at Badminton School, Bristol. She was herself educated at the School of St. Helen and St. Katharine in Oxfordshire. In 2000 she went up to Newnham College, Cambridge, to read History, completing her BA in 2003, and an MPhil in American History in 2005. Miss Wallace took her PGCE at Hertford College, University of Oxford. When not teaching or studying, she has often been found on rivers, coxing for her university colleges, Furnivall Sculling Club and the Royal Air Force. These days her hobbies tend to be more land-based, taking advantage of London’s many museums and enjoying overseas travel. She lives in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, in a book-filled home that she shares with two naughty but adorable kittens.

Andrew Hobbs became the Head of Downside in September 2018, after ten years as Deputy Head. He was educated at Worth School and studied Classics at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he also gained a rugby blue. He has taught in boarding schools since 1989, beginning his career at Hurstpierpoint College and then moving to Canford School, where he spent sixteen years. He was Head of Classics there and subsequently became a Housemaster. It is his conviction that education happens most successfully when schools engage in a partnership with families built on trust and shared values. He believes that children thrive in an environment where they feel valued and accepted as they are and where they feel encouraged to contribute to their community in accordance with their unique and distinct gifts. Andrew and his wife Damaris, who works in the NHS as a physiotherapist, have four children, all of whom attended Downside. In their spare time they enjoy wild swimming.

Andrew Jack is global education editor for the Financial Times, writing on educational issues around the world and editorial lead for the free FT schools programme. He was previously head of curated content, deputy editor of the big read section, pharmaceuticals correspondent, and a foreign correspondent in France and Russia.

Andy has been the Principal of St Clare’s, Oxford since 2017. He has more than twenty years’ experience of leadership in independent education including eleven years as Head of two other well-known schools: The Royal Grammar School, Worcester and King’s College, Madrid. He was Chairman of HMC (Headmasters and Headmistresses’ Conference) West Division in 2010-11, and a member of the HMC/GSA Universities Committee 2012-14. He is a Boarding Team Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. In a voluntary capacity, he is Chair of Governors of Oxfordshire Hospital School, the oldest hospital school in the UK, a Governor of Rye St Antony School, and a Trustee of the Alliance Française, Oxford. He was proud to have been elected as Chair of BAISIS (British Association of Independent Schools with International Students) in January 2020 and Vice Chair of the BSA (Boarding Schools Association). He will become Chair of the BSA in January 2022.

Andy joined The Downs Malvern in 2022, following a successful tenure as Deputy Head of Windlesham House School in Sussex where he had previously fulfilled the roles of Head of Science and Houseparent. A Zoology graduate from Imperial College London, he completed his PGCE at University of Bath and holds an MEd in Educational Leadership and Management from Buckingham University. Before joining Windlesham House School, he also taught at Cheam School in Hampshire, in addition to spending four years as Head of Science at The Banda School in Nairobi, where he met his wife, Polly; an experienced prep school teacher. Since joining The Downs Malvern, Andy has placed a particular emphasis on educating and involving pupils in environmental issues, and has augmented the school's provision considerably, with the introduction of its small holding of chickens, quail, pigs and sheep. In 2023, the school was awarded both Best Eco Initiative in the Muddy Stilettos School Awards and shortlisted for Small Independent School of the Year in the Independent School of the Year Awards, in addition to achieving Eco Schools Status. Very much the outdoorsman, Andy is a keen cross-country runner, enjoys fly fishing, looking after the family’s chickens and quail and gardening with his children, to list a few of his interests.

Principal and Headteacher (1999 to 2017) of Falkner House, Mrs Anita Griggs BA PGCE (60s) was educated at Queen’s College, Harley Street, then studied history and economics at York University. Spent her early career at the Bank of England, before heading the economics department at St Paul’s Girls’ School. The London school system is in her DNA! Today Mrs Griggs is principal of both the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, working alongside her daughters Mrs Dixon and Mrs Rogers who head up the two schools.

Anna Masterson is Chief Learning Officer at Atom Learning, an adaptive online learning and exam preparation platform for students aged 7-12. After leading teaching and learning in independent schools for over a decade, Anna joined Atom Learning in 2020, bringing her expertise to a learning and teaching platform that's used by tens of thousands of children across the UK and around the world. Atom combines industry-leading content across English, maths, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and science with sophisticated technology designed to keep children on their individual optimal learning path and build exam confidence. Popular features include granular insights on strengths and areas for improvement, unlimited 11+ mock tests, customisable practices, individual learning journeys and access to 1:1 tuition with some of the UK's best teachers and tutors.

In September 2023, Anna Paul was appointed as the 13th Head of South Hampstead High School GDST – a leading London day school, established in 1876, that welcomes girls aged 4 to 18. South Hampstead was recently crowned Independent Girls’ School of the Year, praised for its unwavering commitment to feminism and forward-thinking approach. Anna brings with her an impressive record of achieving academic excellence along with substantial pastoral experience. An English Teacher by background, she has a degree in English Literature from Durham University and a Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Study from the University of Cambridge. Prior to her headship at South Hampstead, she was Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Godolphin & Latymer for nine years and previously worked at The John Lyon School and North London Collegiate School. Anna believes in the central role of women in leadership and in preparing girls to find their voice and use their influence as a force for good. She enjoys running on Hampstead Heath, reading, and days out in London with her young daughters.

I graduated from Durham University with BA Hons QTS and took my first post at the Dragon as Head of Girls’ games and Year 4 Form Teacher. Subsequently, I spent six years teaching English and Maths and coaching rugby at Caldicott School. After this, I returned to the Dragon with my family, initially to run Charlbury House and more recently School House (for boys in Years 7 & 8), and am now Joint Head of Boarding together with my husband, Marcus. We love planning fun activities for the boarders and working with the Houseparents to ensure that all our boarding families are well supported and the children are happy. The pastoral experience gained in the boarding environment coupled with extensive professional development has given me the ideal experience and knowledge to lead the PSHEE department at the Dragon. I enjoy teaching PSHEE because it is such an important and relevant subject, it teaches the children about life skills and we cover some gritty topics and have some really searching and informative discussions. I am passionate about Mental Health and wellbeing. To relax, I enjoy photography and gardening and can be found walking my dog ‘Coco Lily Faulkner’ around the University Parks.

Barnaby Lenon won the Cambridge University Prize for Education, taught at Eton for 12 years, was deputy head of Highgate School, headmaster of Trinity School Croydon and head of Harrow (12 years). For eight years he was the founding chair of the London Academy of Excellence, a state free school in East London. He has been a governor of 22 schools and is currently a trustee of the 12 independent and state schools in the King Edward’s Birmingham Foundation. For six years he was on the board of Ofqual. He is Professor of Education at the University of Buckingham, chairman of the Independent Schools Council and a trustee of the Yellow Submarine charity. He has recently published two books, Much Promise: successful schools in England and Other People’s Children: what happens to the academically least successful 50%? He is one of the most widely quoted educationalists in the media. In 2019, he was awarded a CBE for services to education.

Prior to his appointment as Head of St Lawrence College, Ramsgate, Barney Durrant was Principal Deputy Head at Harrow International School Hong Kong, where he served for 7 years. This was preceded by 14 years at Stowe School, Buckingham, where he was Head of Geography before becoming a Housemaster. As an Independent School boarder himself from the age of seven, Barney has a wealth of experience of the Sector. He studied Geography at University College London, before completing his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Cambridge. In addition to his academic achievements, which include his recent completion of a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Nottingham, Barney is also a very talented sportsman; holding an Athletics Blue from Cambridge and both playing and coaching Rugby to a high level. In his spare time, he regularly competes in triathlon and cycling endurance events.

Devonshire born and bred, Ben Evans spent a large part of his childhood on Dartmoor where his mother now breeds Dartmoor ponies. He enjoyed lots of riding across the moor and worked at a trekking centre for many years during the holidays, plus broke horses to harness – quite a dangerous occupation at times! He graduated from the University of Exeter with a 2:1 (Hons) degree in History and Archaeology and qualified as a secondary History teacher with games a year later. While at University he was a member of the Officer Training Corps for 3 years (passed MTQ1 and 2) and a CCF instructor. His first appointment was at Bramdean School (3-18 independent school) where he was a resident Housemaster and Head of History. He moved on to Brighton College as Head of History and continued to coach games and swimming, as well as accompanying the cricket team to South Africa on a 3 week tour. He then went back to Bramdean as Deputy Head. His next move was further afield – this time to Sri Lanka to be the Deputy Head at The British School in Colombo (he was also KS2 co-ordinator and Year 5 teacher). After two years he took over as Head and by the time he moved back to the UK in July 2012, there were 760 pupils on roll. He reorganised the curriculum, assessment, management structure and resource levels and had waiting lists in all year groups. Ben joined Edge Grove in Hertfordshire in 2012 and oversaw the growth of the school from 320 to 528 pupils, the relocation of the Nursery and the construction of a new, state of the art Lower School building. He was also an elected Councillor for Aldenham Parish Council and a Director of the Spiral Partnership Trust (a multi-academy trust of six primary schools). Ben has been at Windlesham House for just over a year, during which he has introduced flexi and weekly boarding, transformed Saturdays with the Windlesham Diploma and Challenge, introduced new academic phase leaders as well as a new timetable, moved the music school to a new refurbished space at the centre of the school. He has developed the Eco credentials with a new Eco shop and eco garden and created a market garden where the children grow vegetables and help tend the chickens. More initiatives are in the pipeline in this exciting period of growth. He met his wife, Alex, whilst in Sri Lanka and they married in 2008. They have two sons, Edward who is 10 and Thomas who is 7 as well as three cats.

Joining Alleyn’s in 2008 as Teacher of Physics, Ben Jones went on to become Head of Physics in 2011 and then Director of Science in 2015. This September, Ben was appointed Director of Partnerships where he leads on engaging staff and pupils with the Alleyn’s partnership programme. Having been brought up in Bath, Ben went on to study Physics at the University of Birmingham. Before taking up teaching Ben spent eight years working in Telecoms (Cable & Wireless) as an Account Director. Ben, who now lives in Herne Hill, is not only a teacher at Alleyn’s but a parent too, with two of his three children attending the school. Outside Alleyn’s, Ben has recently come to the end of a seven-year tenure as a Governor at a local prep school.

Ben Taylor became Editor of The Sunday Times in January 2023, previously serving as deputy editor since joining in June 2020. Prior to joining The Sunday Times, Ben spent 22 years working for the Daily Mail in a number of roles. He is a French graduate and started his professional life on local newspapers in Birmingham.

Benedict Dunhill is headmaster of Redcliffe School in Chelsea. He has 25 years’ experience working in British private schools – 15 years of headship in leading boarding prep schools and in London day prep schools followed ten years in senior schools as a teacher, tutor and boarding housemaster. Benedict also taught English in Le Puy, France. Benedict is a governor of two schools, in the independent and maintained sectors and has served as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, ISI for many years. Benedict has an extended overview of the independent school sector from 3 – 18; co-educational and single sex, boarding and day. This perspective and his close knowledge of the transition requirements at each stage, as well as his many close contacts within schools, allows Benedict to have a highly informed and impartial view at all stages of a child’s educational journey. As well as being a governor within the Drapers’ Multi Academy Trust, Benedict is a member of the Charities Committee of the Drapers’ Company. Benedict has a degree in French Language and Literature and began his working life in the City before moving into education.

Bex Tear is the new Executive Head of Fulham School, coming from Badminton School in Bristol where she was the Head for 10 years. Bex read Chemistry at Exeter University and whilst undertaking volunteering activities there discovered that teaching was her passion. She studied for a PGCE at The Institute of Education, University College London and since then has enjoyed exploring all aspects of education in a range of settings, from Community Schools to Boarding Schools. Bex’s interests are varied, from making the most of the great outdoors to quiet craft activities, Her range of roles, from classroom teacher through pastoral and academic leadership positions and ultimately in Senior Leadership posts, have seen her explore many aspects of school life. Her love of lifelong learning, (MA in Educational Leadership in 2012, qualifying as a Mindfulness teacher in 2016 and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship at The Judge Business School, Cambridge University 2019), fuels her interest and engagement in current educational practice. In addition, Bex continues to ensure she retains a broad view of education; she has previously held the position of Governor on the Board of several independent schools and was Chair of the Boarding School Association Group and she remains an active ISI Team Inspector.

Bradley trained to be a teacher of Religious Studies (RS) with Sport at the University of Bristol's Graduate School of Education. It was on the RS course that he met his wife, Clare. Bradley spent the next nine years working in Bristol first at a large comprehensive school on the outskirts of the city and before taking up a post first at Head of RS and Assistant Chaplain and then Head of Middle School (Years 10 & 11) in an independent school in the city centre. At this time, Bradley began studying for a part-time Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Bristol at the same time as moving to Wells Cathedral School to run the RS department and to be the Housemaster of a Boarding and Day house for 60 boys from Years 10 to 13. Bradley was a boarder himself from age 11 to 18, so a return to a boarding house was welcome. In 2009, Bradley joined the staff of Dean Close as Senior Deputy Head before moving to be Headmaster of the Senior School in 2016, when the then Headmaster, Jonathan Lancashire, became the first Warden/CEO of Dean Close. Bradley's philosophy of education is built on the principle that school days are about preparing pupils for the next stage of their life. It is not enough for schools to just deliver exam results. Schools should not just help young people to secure places on university courses or jobs, but to build and sustain relationships, play an active role in the community and have a broad view of life. Bradley says, At Dean Close, this can be seen in the commitment to co-curriculum and leadership programmes that sit alongside a rigorous academic curriculum which teaches both skills and knowledge. One of the great strengths of Dean Close is that there is no 'typical Decanian', each year is shaped and impacted by the wide variety of pupils and staff who make up this living community. Everyone works hard and takes great pleasure from each other's achievements. Beyond school, Bradley enjoys both playing and watching sport, spending time on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, being an active member of St Matthew's Church in Cheltenham and the company of his three teenage daughters, when they let him.

Senior Assistant Director

Brandan Pavey has over twenty years’ experience as a teacher as a headteacher, working across the age groups and with experience of both single sex and co-educational environments. Since joining as Headteacher in 2017, North Bridge House Senior School has achieved record results for two years in a row and secured its prominent ranking in the Sunday Times Results tables, whilst instilling a passion for a forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning. Brendan's philosophy is that schools should be great fun places to come to work and to learn - and that by setting the expectations levels very high, whilst supporting rather than pressurising pupils, excellent academic outcomes will follow. Brendan studied Geography at Durham (Hatfield College) before completing his PGCE in Secondary Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. Following that he completed his MA in Geography in Education. Brendan is married to Sarah and together they have four teenage children (Madeleine, Isabelle, Grace and Freddie). As a result, Mr Pavey brings an innate sense of understanding with regards to the challenges and rewards of guiding children on the transition from pre-teen to young adult. He has been a guest speaker at the Wellington Festival of Education as well as at many Cognita Conferences, and featured in the press on educational topics including mixed ability, noisy classrooms, and student wellbeing.

Brian Martineau is Assistant Head (Co-curricular) and Head of Admissions at the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk. As a child, Brian was Head Chorister at Westminster Abbey. After leaving school, Brian read Music at Anglia University before spending a couple of years working as a Ski Instructor in Colorado USA and then as Customer Services Manager for Thomson Holidays. On becoming a music teacher, he began his career as Director of Music at Warminster School in Wiltshire – where he introduced musical theatre to the programme culminating in the school staging the UK amateur premiere of Phantom of the Opera in 2012. Brian then moved to Aiglon College in Switzerland as Director of Music, subsequently moving to Assistant Head (Student Life). In August 2020, Brian returned to the UK as Assistant Head (Co-curricular) and Head of Admissions at RHS where he can be found playing his trombone in the Marching Band, singing in the choir, teaching GCSE & A level music, managing concert and sports tours as well as the day-to-day operations of the Admissions department. As a dyslexic teacher who experienced his own challenges with SEN whilst at school in the 90s, Brian has a unique and personal understanding of the conundrums faced by SEN pupils and the opportunities that they will experience.

Currently Head of Cameron Vale School in Chelsea, Bridget’s career in education spans nearing twenty-five years. Cameron Vale School prides itself on its no one size fits all approach. A school of individuals, rather than a homogenous whole, Cameron Vale believes in maximising children’s potential - personally, academically and intellectually. Having assumed middle and senior leadership roles in London’s prep schools since 1999, Bridget possesses extensive knowledge of the entry and preparation processes necessary to prepare children for the top UK independent senior schools, including London day schools and national boarding schools at 11+ and 13+. Beginning her teaching career at Tettenhall College in the West Midlands, Bridget then moved to Thomas’s, Battersea, where she developed her experience for thirteen years. From Thomas’s, Bridget moved to Wandsworth Prep School where, having initially joined the school as Founding Deputy Headteacher, subsequently assumed the Headship in 2014. At Wandsworth Prep, Bridget had the somewhat unique experience of leading the growth of the school from one Reception class in September 2012 to reach full capacity with the first cohort of Year 6 leavers in July 2017. In its short history, pupils in Year 6 gained entry to some of the most selective schools in London, including Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, KCS, Wimbledon and St Paul’s Girls, and, alongside academic, Sports and performing arts scholarships to Whitgift, Putney High and Woldingham. Bridget holds an MA in Education, awarded with Distinction, from King’s College, London, a PGCE from the University of Oxford and a BA in French with Italian from the University of London. A passionate modern linguist, Bridget is currently undertaking research at UCL for a Doctorate in Education, with a particular focus on developing a coherent curriculum in modern languages across the primary and secondary phases.

Bronagh has over 10 years’ experience in admissions into London Independent Day Schools (both Co-Ed and Single-sex). Prior to working in education, Bronagh worked in Investor Relations for several large London based Investment Banks.

Camilla is The Good Schools Guide's specialist in the scholarship and bursary provision offered by UK independent schools. Having studied history at Oxford, Camilla joined the Teach First scheme and spent three years teaching in an inner London school, before moving into the independent sector at a successful co-ed in west London for six years. Alongside teaching Camilla was providing advice to students (and their parents) preparing for entrance to day and boarding schools in London and the south east. In 2015 Camilla left teaching to do this full-time. She says 'I have always loved getting to know schools and working out what makes them tick. I listen carefully to families’ needs and work closely with them to find the kind of school environment that will allow their child to thrive. Now that I have two children of my own, I appreciate all the more how hard it is to find the right way through the jungle of options out there - so I feel very lucky to be a part of this process for others'.

Candida Cave trained at the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University and studied for her M.A. in History of Art at the University of Buckingham. After discovering a gift for inspiring people through teaching, she founded Hampstead Fine Arts College in 1978 with the artist Nicholas Cochrane. In addition to serving as Principal and teaching Art History, Candida is also a playwright and a practising painter: her art has been exhibited in London and Lewes, while her plays have been performed in London theatres, museums and galleries and for the British Council in Florence, Bologna and Rome.

Carol Powell has been named an ‘outstanding teacher’ with an extensive career, teaching children of all ages. She has taught in state and private schools all over the world including Arizona, Namibia, and the Cayman Islands. Carol now specialises in mindfulness which plays a central role in her life and work. Carol is known for her kindness and for the gift that she has with children who have additional needs. After leading a team of teachers in a school in Bristol, she has gained valuable skills which are now utilised in the business she founded 6 years ago called Chatterminds. Carol is passionate about supporting children's mental health and also the mental health of parents. She provides a tool kit for families to navigate the highs and lows of life in order to feel happy and to achieve their best. ‘I’ve always known I wanted to work with children and support them, with their emotions and wellbeing. I absolutely love what I do and feel grateful every day that I set up Chatterminds’. Carol Powell, lover of camping, nature, cooking, a good pub roast and a pint!

Caroline joined Eaton Square Senior School as Head in April 2018. She previously worked at St John’s Leatherhead where she held a number of roles but most recently was responsible for the setting up and opening of the highly successful Lower School for pupils aged 11-13 years. Caroline was brought up and educated in California before studying Psychology at the University of Southampton and Educational Neuroscience at UCL. She currently teaches Biology and Psychology and is passionate about leadership development in pupils.

Catherine has specialised in the prime central London market since 2004 where she began her career and first met business partner Alice within the fast-paced enviroment of a competative London selling agency. Catherine moved to Hampshire from London in 2015 where she lives with her husband and two boys, she is well known to selling agents and local residents, which enables her to create off-market opportunities for many of her clients. Having worked on both sides of selling and buying she is best-placed to advise clients on all aspects of the residential market. Catherine and Alice work closely with clients to advise on all apsects of moving to the country, from schooling to commuting, as well as some of the pit falls of relocating to ensure as seamless transition as possible for all of the family.

Ms Cathy Ellott joined Streatham and Clapham High School as the new Head this September. Having worked in a range of top schools, she is a passionate advocate for all girls’ education and the confidence, camaraderie and friendship it inspires. She is proud to be part of the Girls Day School Trust and to share a vision for the future of girls’ learning that is empowering, relevant, ambitious and fun. Having studied English at Oxford, she is committed to academic excellence and yet she knows, both as a parent and a teacher, that each child has her own journey and that the school’s community and partnership with parents is crucial so that every girl may flourish.

Born and bred in Linlithgow, Scotland, Cat attended St Andrews University, reading modern languages. On leaving university she came to London where she found both her first job as PA to two Tory MPs and her future husband. She spent a very happy 20 years in the House of Commons with a short break to work in St James’s Palace with the Prince of Wales for a year, before moving into education, becoming Director of Admissions at Latymer Upper School in 2006. She remained there for 14 years and in 2020, moved to Wycombe Abbey as Director of Admissions. The daughter of teachers, she has experience of both the state and independent sectors, co-ed and boarding both through professional and personal experience, and is a Governor of both a state primary school and a London Prep school as well as being a Trustee of Forces Children, Scotland. Her main passions in education lie in a belief that there is a right school for everyone, and in widening access, via bursaries. Married with two grown up daughters and a son in law, she lives in West London.

Ceri Jones is Headmaster of Caterham School, an HMC co-educational day and boarding school in Surrey. Ceri founded and remains a Trustee of the Access & Accelerate Foundation, a university access programme established with the Sutton Trust and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Prior to leading Caterham, Ceri was Second Master at Tonbridge School and was also Head of a state maintained academy. Ceri Jones attended Cambridge University, where he read History and was awarded a full Blue in football. In 2015 he was awarded a Distinction in a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham. Ceri continues to teach History at A Level and specialises in Modern American history and early modern literature and religion. He is passionate about innovation in education, reflected in Caterham School’s multi award-winning focus on digital learning.

Charles Bonas is an acknowledged expert in the private education sector. He often features in articles in the national press on educational issues. In 1992 Charles founded Bonas MacFarlane. Recognised as ‘London’s leading educational consultancy’ (Tatler), Bonas MacFarlane consultants and tutors have helped thousands of children succeed at the leading schools and universities in Britain, Switzerland and the USA.

Charlie Taylor has worked across a wide range of property markets, including 8 years in central London, followed by 11 years in Winchester. Since 2009, Charlie has been Partner and Office Head at Knight Frank's Bath's office. Charlie specialises in prime city properties and country houses, working closely with the country house team in London, and other Knight Frank departments, including residential development, international, farms & estates, equestrian, professional valuation and Knight Frank finance; enabling him to provide a first class service within all property disciplines.

Charlotte Phillips, an Oxford graduate, is an SEN consultant and schools reviewer at The Good Schools Guide. A parent and former music specialist at a SW London prep school, she has also written on education and family life for The Telegraph, Times and Guardian, among others. Her three children, one with SEN, took very different educational paths, attending 12 different schools between them with one child home educated through GCSEs. All have ended up doing well. Charlotte has been reviewing schools and working with families for the Guide for nearly 10 years. As a veteran of some wonderful moments but some dreadful ones too, she enjoys putting her experience and knowledge at the service of other parents for whom finding the right education is not always straightforward.

Chief Executive of GDST, Cheryl Giovannoni was born and brought up in South Africa and has a BA in English, Communication and Psychology from the University of South Africa. During her career at WPP she ran three of its companies, most recently Ogilvy & Mather, the advertising agency. Before this, Cheryl was European President of Landor Associates, a global brand consulting firm, where she was responsible for managing seven units across the region and worked with clients including P&G, Diageo and Kraft. Cheryl had previously been CEO of Coley Porter Bell, a consumer design and branding business. Cheryl enjoys mentoring and coaching and supports many young women, either informally as their mentor or through programmes run by WACL (Women in Advertising and Communication London).

Chris Carlier is Headmaster of Aldro, a coeducational day and boarding school in Godalming, Surrey. Chris was educated first at Monkton Prep and then at Sherborne. He studied French and German at St. Anne’s College, Oxford, then for his PGCE at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge and more recently for his Masters in Educational Leadership at Buckingham. Before he arrived at Aldro in 2019, Chris taught at Bradfield College where he was Head of French and subsequently Senior Housemaster and where he also coached hockey and squash. Chris is an ISI Inspector and formerly a school governor in both the state and independent sectors. Chris believes keenly in building school communities based on strong, core values and has high expectations for children’s achievement, both academically and in the co-curricular. He relishes the privilege of preparing Aldro pupils for transition to as many as 40 different senior schools and life beyond. Chris is married to Nicky, and they have three teenage children of their own.

Chris Druce is a senior research analyst at Knight Frank covering the UK residential market.

Chris Wheeler joined Monkton as Principal in January 2016. He was elected Vice Chair of HMC for 2019-20 and has served on HMC’s Inspection Sub Committee. He previously served as Principal and CEO at Hillcrest International Schools in Kenya, Headmaster at St Christopher's, Hove, and has variously been Deputy Head, Housemaster (day and boarding) and Head of English. Chris continues to teach English and Drama and is passionate about innovative and inspirational education whether seeking effective ways to use technology to enhance classroom practice, developing ever stronger ways to take a proactive approach to pastoral care or forging international links to ensure pupils have a genuinely global outlook. Chris leads on various partnership projects including supporting Royal Springboard and the Boarding Schools Partnership, the foundation of the Bath Schools’ Choir Who Can’t Sing and Bath Student Parliament. In addition to his work at HMC, he is an ISI Team Inspector and a trustee of the Lywood Colley Academy Trust. He has previously served as a Trustee with the Palladian Academy Trust, a member of the Court of the University of Bath, an examiner at GCSE and A-level for both English and Literature and often speaks at churches and chapels across the country. When not doing any of these things, he likes to take to the hills with his paraglider, or head to the Alps to snowboard; in quieter moments he walks his dogs or reads a good book. He is married to Georgie and has three children at Monkton.

Chris Wolsey has been Head of Ibstock Place since January 2021, before which he was its Academic Deputy. A historian by training, he has taught for over twenty years in both independent day schools and a maintained single-sex grammar school. He has also served as a governor of an outstanding inner-city 11-16 comprehensive school. Convinced that schools occupy a uniquely powerful moral space in society, he advocates for a version of education which attaches real value to the voice of young people and which measures its success on their ability to use it for the common good; he believes in the transformative power of school partnerships. Chris has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham.

Mr Christopher Cockerill grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and Surrey. Before joining Fulham School, Christopher was the Director of Sixth Form at North London Collegiate School. He has worked in several other leading independent schools, including Highgate School and Sevenoaks School. Christopher has had broad experience of different pre-university curricula, including the International Baccalaureate, A-Level qualifications, and American advanced placement courses. Throughout his career, he has worked in both single-sex and co-educational, boarding and non-boarding settings.

Christopher Jones has been at North Bridge House Senior Hampstead since 2016, initially as Deputy Head, and has been central to the growth of the school and development of the curriculum. Christopher believes that a broad education is key to developing self-awareness and integrity in our young people. A history educator by training, he grew up in Wales and Norway. Chris has taught and held leadership positions in both the state and independent sectors. He is Chair of the United World College National Committee for Great Britain, which selects students to attend 18 schools around the world, and Chair of Governors at a large state school. In his spare time, Chris enjoys painting, cooking and running.

Christopher is currently Chief Executive of IAPS, a post he took up in September 2018. Prior to that he was headmaster and Chief Executive of Leicester Grammar School Trust from June 2001. Leicester Grammar School is an academically selective, HMC co-educational day school with 1430 pupils. He was Chairman of HMC 2015/16 and unusually again in 2017/18. HMC is the association of the leading independent senior schools in the UK. Prior to this he was Chairman of the HMC Professional Development Committee 2009/14 and was an HMC Full Board member from 2006 to 2018. In the above roles Christopher has delivered numerous courses to senior leaders on a wide range of professional topics. He has written for many national publications and commented on educational matters in various forms of media. He is a Director of the ISC Board and a member of the Leicester University Council. He was previously an East Midlands ‘Business Champion’ when he helped to create a new school for autistic children. Christopher climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in 2008 with his three sons.

Clare Beckwith has worked within the education sector for over 5 years, joining Fulham School two years ago as the Head of Admissions. Clare is responsible for the admission of all new pupils for all three of Fulham School's locations in West London; Fulham Pre-Prep (from Nursery to Year 2), Fulham Prep (from Year 3 to Year 8) and Fulham Senior (from Year 9 to Year 13). Prior to joining the education sector, Clare was a senior marketer for over 25 years’ working with a variety of businesses in the aviation, retail and car industries. Clare moved on from her corporate career after her two daughters were born to study for her Batchelor’s degree in Psychology with the Open University, whilst also working at her children's local school. It was there that Clare discovered a true passion for education, for learning and for people.

Clare White studied history at Oxford University and then spent twenty years at Morgan Stanley. More recently, she ran the sixth form extended essay programme at Magdalen College School, Oxford. Clare joined City of London School for Girls as Registrar in October 2021.

Clement joined the School in April 2023. With 17 years of experience in education, he began his career as a chemistry teacher, and subsequently held positions as the Head of Department, Director of Football, Boarding Housemaster, and, prior to his current role, as Deputy Head Pastoral and Boarding. Clement also serves as a School's Inspector with ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate). As Senior Deputy Head, he has significant responsibility for the day-to-day running of the School. He has close involvement in all areas of school life, from academic to co-curricular and pastoral. Clement also works closely with the Head and Executive Committee in developing and delivering the School’s ambitious strategic plans.

Dale has been a staff member at Wymondham College, the largest of the State Boarding Schools, for nineteen years, and having fallen in love with boarding is currently Vice Principal: Director of Boarding and Behaviour. Wymondham College was voted Pearson’s ‘National Secondary School of the Year for ‘Making a Difference’ in 2022. Dale sits on the Executive Committee of the newly formed BSA group, ‘The Institute of Boarding’, championing the State Boarding Sector.

Dan Thornburn is Head of Millfield Prep School, in Glastonbury, Somerset. He joined Millfield Prep School in January 2022, his third Headship having previously been Head of Edgeborough School, in Surrey, since 2017, and prior to that Head of St Petroc’s, Bude. Dan was educated at Wrekin College and was Head Boy under former Millfield Headmaster Peter Johnson. He read History at Exeter University whilst playing rugby for the Exeter Chiefs 2nds. He also played rugby for Middlesex and gained an MEd in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham. His early teaching career included spells at Lockers Park and Chafyn Grove prep schools. Dan has worked within a Preparatory School environment for 20 years, gaining vast experience in helping children thrive in their early years of education. He is immensely ambitious for the schools he leads and cares passionately about the value of pupils giving their best, being kind to each other and approaching school with a positive attitude.

Danielle has worked at St David’s College since 2017. Her role as Deputy Head of Cadogan involves the testing, assessment, and monitoring of pupils across all year groups from age 9-19, as well as one-to-one specialist support teaching of dyslexic learners. Danielle is a qualified secondary teacher, BA(Hons) and PGCE (Secondary) with postgraduate (Masters) qualifications in both teaching dyslexic learners and a current assessment practicing certificate (APC Dyslexia). She is currently studying for her Doctorate focussing on educating educators about how to work with pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties, primarily dyslexia but other cooccurring difficulties. Prior to teaching, Danielle worked in the field of information design for twenty years and lectured this subject at university before making the move to secondary education.

David was born and brought up overseas and was therefore packed off to boarding school in the mid-1970s, which was an ‘interesting’ experience. His teachers identified some academic talent and he was therefore put into the fast stream which came as something of a surprise. Alas, like many of his contemporaries, he came up with a thousand reasons why he couldn’t focus on his studies and, instead, found time to pursue his many sporting passions. Needless to say, he got rather a shock when his O Level results were revealed but that period of underperformance gave him the kick he needed and he achieved much better at A Level and beyond. From school, he went to study for a history degree at Exeter and played rugby and hockey for the university. His PGCE was taken at Cambridge and he returned four years later to complete his Master’s degree in Education Management where his research on boys’ underachievement was published. He started his teaching career in big comprehensives and then moved to Caterham School where he was head of Politics and Head of 6th form and was then promoted internally to Deputy Head. From there, he secured his first headship at Battle Abbey School which, for a history teacher, was pretty special and he had 10 happy years there before recently joining Cranbrook School. From an early age he had a flair for languages and the humanities and, rather fortuitously, he had some wonderful teachers in those subjects. He became a History teacher having been inspired by two great teachers, both of them RAF veterans, who brought the subject to life and fired up an interest in him that went far beyond the classroom. Equally, after many school and family trips to Europe his French improved dramatically and he now speaks fluent French and passable Italian. He has a love for travel and the wider world. In his twenties, he spent three years working his way around Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Europe and he will never forget the incredible experiences he encountered. Having an internationalist outlook is therefore hugely important to him and he will always encourage students and teachers to embrace opportunities for overseas travel and cultural enrichment.

David joined Knight Frank Finance in the spring of 2019 to run the Later Life Finance team, providing advice to wealthy older homeowners on Equity Release and other forms of finance. David has focused on the Equity Release market since 2005. Prior to Knight Frank, David worked for Retirement Advantage (Now Canada Life Home Finance), a lifetime mortgage provider, and the Financial Conduct Authority. David spent 2 years as a member of the Equity Release Council Standards Board and is now a member of their advisory panel and Risk Committee. David writes articles for Knight Frank and is often asked for comment by the press.

Born in West London, David attended a local comprehensive school and was the first member of his family to do A levels or go to university. He graduated from Oxford with a First in Classics. From 2012 – 2023 he was Head of Latymer Upper School. David is committed to advancing social mobility through independent school bursary programmes, in conjunction with their partnership and outreach work. In 2017 he launched the Inspiring Minds campaign, which successfully completed its aim of raising £40m to offer 1 in 4 pupils a means-tested bursary. In 2018, Latymer won 3 TES Awards, including ‘Independent School of the Year’; David was also a finalist in the ‘social mobility champion’ category of the UK Social Mobility Awards. David has two sons who both attended Dukes schools; he chaired the Dukes Education Advisory Board prior to his appointment as Managing Director. He is a trustee of the Dukes Foundation, as well as a Fellow at Winchester College.

David Laird is the Head of School of ICS London located in the very heart of the city and delivering the International Baccalaureate (IB) across the entire 3-18 age range, over the past 40 years. With over twenty years of experience in both the UK and international education sector, David Laird is a passionate leader with a drive to develop outstanding schools. In the early part of his teaching career, he was seconded as an advisory teacher. After moving abroad, he eventually began working for Nord Anglia Education, first as Head of Primary for the British School of Guangzhou, China, and later as Principal for The British School of Beijing. Most recently, he was responsible for the establishment of a brand new international school in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal's capital city. As a parent himself, he understands how important choosing the right school for your child is. Education is the greatest gift we can give to our children, providing them with the right tools they need to succeed in life.

David Woodgate was appointed Chief Executive of the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association in May 2016. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of the Institute of Financial Accountants from 2007 to 2015 after which he spent a year as the Strategy Consultant to the Institute of Public Accountants in Australia. David qualified as a Barrister in 1982 following a first degree in Languages (French and Russian), Law and Linguistics. He moved from the law into the City, holding several senior management and executive positions in the National Westminster Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland – in Strategic Planning, Corporate Finance and latterly as Director of e-Commerce for the corporate bank. He ran an outsourcing business and a specialist internal consultancy providing market intelligence and competitor analysis. He completed an MBA at Warwick University Business School in 1992. A former Chief Executive of the Institute of Administrative Management, he also holds a postgraduate diploma in Charity Management from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Chartered Banker, a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights.

Dayle Kirby is Pastoral Deputy at Whitgift and is part of the School’s Executive Team, working alongside the Headmaster and three other colleagues. He read English Literature and Religious Studies at Cardiff University, before completing his teacher training at Westminster College. He is a keen sportsman, having coached rugby at County level in Sussex. He spent eighteen years at Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham, where he taught English and Theology and Philosophy, and held the positions of Houseparent, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Assistant Head (Pastoral). He joined Whitgift in 2019 and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of pastoral care, ensuring high standards of tutoring and care, leading on the school’s Diversity and Inclusion programme and also holds the role as the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. Mr Kirby is on the steering committee of the Schools’ Inclusion Alliance (SIA) which Whitgift joined in the Summer of 2020 and was founded with the aim of putting inclusion at the heart of every school.

After completing his studies at the University of Cambridge, Desmond spent fifteen years working as a teacher and senior manager within the maintained and independent school sectors. Specialising in working with gifted and talented children as well as with those with additional needs, Desmond trained in Psychology of Education via the MSc programme at the Institute of Education, University of London. Desmond has a parallel career in music, drama and the performing arts and he employs these modalities in his work with children to develop creative learning solutions that boost confidence, support the development of effective strategies, and make learning fun. A key part of the team at Bonas MacFarlane, Desmond assesses children from around the world to assist with school placement and to ensure that their schedule of additional support and one-to-one tuition is expertly crafted to guarantee future success.

Diana joined Lancing in 2016 from The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) where she was Director of Marketing, Impact and Sales from 2011. In her role at Lancing, Diana has oversight of the integrated marketing and communications plan for Lancing's Senior School & Sixth Form, its prep schools in Hove and Worthing, and Little Lancing Day Nursery & Forest School. This covers marketing, admissions, fundraising and alumni relations. Diana has worked extensively in education: with schools, further and higher education, business schools and varied national education stakeholders. She also spent 10 years working as a strategy and marketing consultant; her clients included Warwick University, Oxford Brookes University, Chichester College, The 157 Group of Colleges and The Centre for Excellence in Leadership. Diana was educated at Wells Cathedral School, boarding from the age of six and also at De Aston School, Lincoln. She has an MBA (Distinction) from Ashridge. Diana’s grandfather, father, uncle and cousin were all educated at Lancing College.

Dominic joined Lancing as Head Master in September 2014. He gained a First Class Degree in English Literature from Sheffield University and an MPhil in English from St Peter’s College Oxford, after which he became a member of the University of Oxford English Faculty and Lecturer at St Peter’s College, with a specialism in Shakespeare. He subsequently taught at the Royal Grammar School, Worcester, after which he became Head of English and Head of Academic Development at Malvern College. Before joining Lancing he spent four years as Managing Head of Bedales School. Dominic is married to Lydia and has two sons, both of whom are pupils in the Lancing family of schools.

Donal Brennan is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. He began his teaching career as a specialist English Teacher preparing children for the competitive 11+ and 13+ for London and country boarding schools. He has been the Headmaster of The Hampshire School, Chelsea for the past five years. This followed from his time as Undermaster at Hill House International Junior School in Knightsbridge. “Donal believes that school is a cornerstone in the community, where pupil voice is at the centre of all teaching and learning. Through repeated encounters with a listening and curious adult, children learn to trust the value of their insights and opinions. By creating safe and non-judgmental learning spaces children come to believe that what they say truly matters”. Donal is a practising catholic, leads on the church choir and has been an active catechist in his parish. He is married with two sons and believes that values of kindness, respect and curiosity are the ingredients to a happy life.

As GSA Chief Executive, Donna is responsible for working with Girls’ Schools Association members and other stakeholders to encourage high standards of education for girls and to promote the benefits of being taught in a largely girls-only environment. She took up her role in January 2021, at a critical time in the education sector, supporting GSA schools as they navigated their way through the ‘new normal’ which the Coronavirus public health crisis necessitated. Donna Stevens was previously Head of Research for the Independent Schools Council, where she was responsible for overseeing a wide range of projects each year, such as the ISC Annual Census, the economic impact of independent schools on the UK economy and the impact of independent-state school partnerships. As a result of this, and her knowledge of the ISC’s other work, she has gained considerable insight to the issues surrounding the independent education sector and the role it plays within the UK education sector as a whole, as well as internationally. She is a regular speaker at education sector conferences. Donna has also worked in strategic consultancy, advising across a wide range of sectors on financial matters, communication and brand strategies. In addition, she has experience in the social sector, working with organisations such as The Challenge and Action Tutoring. Donna has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Oxford, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Social Research from UCL. Outside of work, she owns and manages a successful performing arts weekend school which caters for 100 youngsters (including Donna’s own three children) and offers means-tested scholarships to local pupils. Donna also enjoys jogging and spending time with her family.

Douglas Robb was appointed Headmaster of Gresham’s in September 2014. Gresham’s is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils between the ages of 2 and 18 on the North Norfolk coast. He was previously Headmaster of Oswestry for four years and prior to that Housemaster of Bramston House at Oundle where he taught Economics and Politics. Originally from the Wirral, Douglas Robb was educated at Birkenhead School, followed by Edinburgh University and Cambridge University. He has taught in Prince Edward School Harare in Zimbabwe, Fettes College in Scotland and Loughborough Grammar School.

Adrian graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts (double major) in English Literature and Philosophy and finished his college football career as an All-Canadian Quarterback. Following his childhood dream of playing American football professionally, he was drafted into the Canadian Football League by the Montreal Alouettes, where he enjoyed a brief stint, before transferring to Germany to play ten seasons in the German Football League. During his sports career Adrian continued to hone his academic skills completing his PGCE in English and Drama, Master of Arts in English (Critical Theory), and PhD in English (Critical Pedagogy and Contemporary Literature), all from the University of Exeter. After finishing his PhD and retiring from his American football career Adrian was appointed as a Lecturer of English at the University of Zurich where he spent five years before relocating to the UK. For three years he was the Head of the Environmental Faculty, Language and Literacy Coordinator, Teacher of English, and Assistant Houseparent at UWC Atlantic College in Wales before being appointed as Deputy Head Co-Curriculum at Sevenoaks School in Kent. Adrian has spent the last four years overseeing all of the experiential learning at Sevenoaks, including music, sport, drama, as well as all of the community impact, outreach and partnership work of the school. He also recently completed a second Master of Arts in Education (Educational Leadership and Management) from the University of Bath.

Dr Andy Mayfield studied Mathematics at Manchester and Oxford Universities and joined St Paul’s School as a Mathematics Teacher in 1992. In his time at the school he has been President of the Boat Club, Head of Year 12, run the School’s Outreach and Charity programme and for the past ten years been Director Of Admissions.

Anthony Wallersteiner was a History Scholar at Trinity College Cambridge and completed his Doctorate in Art History and Theory at the University of Kent. He was shortlisted for the Daily Telegraph and Spectator Young Journalist of the Year Competition for a report on dissident writers in Eastern Europe. Anthony taught at Sherborne, St Paul’s and Tonbridge. In 2003 Anthony was appointed Head of Stowe and won the title of Tatler Headmaster of the Year in 2006 (Stowe has twice been shortlisted School of the Year). Anthony has written articles for newspapers and magazines such as The Times, The Telegraph, Burlington Magazine, School House, Country Life and Tatler and contributed chapters to a number of books including The Head Speaks and Stowe House: Saving an Architectural Masterpiece. Trusteeships have included governing at Maidwell, Winchester House and Summer Fields, membership of the Council of Tate St Ives, Children in Crisis (Chair) and, from March 2018, Co-Chair of Street Child. In January 2021 Anthony became Executive Head of The Stowe Group which includes Stowe, Winchester House and Swanbourne House.

Dr Chris Stevens has been Headmaster of Bradfield College since 2015. He is a forward-looking educationalist with experience across a wide age range. A scholar of Tonbridge School, Chris read Modern Languages at Cambridge, including a year teaching in Italy, before completing a DPhil in Italian literature at Oxford, where he was also a College Lecturer. He began his teaching career in prep schools, working as a French-teaching GAP student at Brambletye and running a French study centre for Ashdown House. He worked for 14 years at Uppingham School, where he was a Housemaster and Master-in-charge of cricket, before joining Marlborough as Second Master. Chris is a keen sportsman and loves reading, galleries and the performing arts. Currently Chair of the Rugby Group, he is also a Governor of Theale Green Academy and Twyford School, and a Trustee of the Bradfield Youth Club in Peckham.

Dominic has been Headmaster of Sherborne School since January 2016. He received a congratulatory first-class History degree from the University of Leicester before completing his doctorate at Magdalen College, Oxford. He then taught for eleven years at Harrow before moving to Worth as Deputy Head. In 2007, he became Headmaster of Mill Hill, a co-educational day and boarding school in North London. He has published various articles on early Tudor history, is a governor of several schools and was a member of the Council of the University of Leicester between 2009 and 2018. In September 2019, he was named as the Tatler Best Head of a Public School. In 2021, as the CEO of the Sherborne Schools Group, Dominic oversaw the merger of Sherborne Prep School with Sherborne School. Sherborne School was named Finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2022 for both Independent Boys’ School of the Year and Outstanding Fundraising Achievement categories. His interests include music, antique clocks, indoor rowing and, when time allows, skiing and paragliding. Dominic is married to Cara, a barrister specialising in clinical negligence, and they have two daughters, Charlie and Jemima.

Frances Ramsey is currently Head of the Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith, and was previously Principal of Queen’s College, London. Before becoming a head Frances worked at Westminster School, undertaking a range of roles including Head of History, boarding ‘housemaster’, and Director of Studies. At Godolphin and Latymer, Frances has set up the Bridge Programme, a Saturday morning school for primary school children who may want to apply for bursaries at independent schools, and more generally she has sought to widen access to the school through extending the availability of bursaries. Frances has two student-age children and enjoys horse riding in her spare time.

Dr Savage grew up in Suffolk. He read History at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, taking a Double First before completing a PhD on the political culture and foreign policy of later 18th-century France. He was Head of History and Master-in-College at Eton College, and then became Under Master at Westminster School for four years. From 2010 he was Headmaster at Alleyn’s, where he continued to modernise and improve the School while preserving its character and ethos, and in September 2020 he returned to Westminster School as Head Master. He is married to Natalie and enjoys History, the Arts, studying German, walking his two Jack Russell terriers and following the fortunes of Ipswich Town FC.

Dr Bagworth-Mann began her career at the Historical Manuscripts Commission after completing her PhD on the development of elementary education during the 19th century. She also worked at the National Archives before joining North London Collegiate School in 2006. Her appointment as Interim Headmistress at NLCS follows leadership roles as Assistant Head of Upper School, Head of Middle School and, most recently, Deputy Head Pastoral, as well as being a member of the History Department. She has had a long and keen interest in the history of girls’ education and has carried out post-doctoral research in this area.

Dr Spence has been Master of Dulwich College since 2009. Previously, he was Head Master of Oakham School (2002-09) and Master in College (housemaster to the Scholars) at Eton College (1992-2002). Dr Spence jointly leads the Southwark Schools Learning Partnership (SSLP), a nationally renowned collaboration of the senior maintained and independent schools from within and just beyond the borough, and sits on the board of a number of schools and charities, including Art History Link Up arthistorylinkup.org and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. He writes widely on education and culture and is a playwright and librettist.

Dr Kevin Stannard joined the GDST from University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE – now Cambridge Assessment International Education) where he was Director of Education. He was responsible for initiatives and international education reform projects including the introduction of the Cambridge Pre-U in both state and independent schools, the promotion of bilingual education in Spain and the Netherlands and the development of a new curriculum for model schools in Egypt. He has also been an advisor on curriculum reform to the Singapore Ministry of Education. Before joining CIE, Kevin taught at a number of independent schools including Eton College, where he was Head of Geography. While there he wrote a number of geography textbooks, conducted research on a range of geographical themes and was responsible for UCAS applications.

Lisa is an experienced education consultant and education journalist. She writes for The Good Schools Guide and about education for The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times, and Prospect Magazine. She holds a PhD from the UCL Institute of Education, and continues to carry out educational research. A Canadian by birth, she is married with two sons, educated in both the state and private sector and at leading British universities at undergraduate and post-graduate level.

Mike has been Head of Senior School at Reddam House Berkshire since 2017. Following an undergraduate biochemistry degree at St Edmund Hall Oxford, he studied for a DPhil in molecular genetics in the university's Plant Science department. In 2000, he started his teaching career at Westminster School and became Head of Biology. Following 8 years living in London, he moved to Wellington College where he was Deputy Head (Academic) until 2013. Having increasingly become involved with Wellington's state school operations in Wiltshire, he moved over as full time Executive Principal of their sponsored academies and established improved results and Ofsted inspection outcomes. He has enjoyed the transition back into the independent sector at Reddam House, near Reading, which opened in 2015 as part of the Inspired Education group of schools. Reddam has grown rapidly since opening and benefits from being part of a global network of 70 schools.

Dr Millan Sachania has served as Head Master of Streatham & Clapham High School, GDST since 2012. A graduate and Bachelor Scholar of Christ’s College, Cambridge, Dr Sachania obtained Double First-Class Honours and subsequently a doctorate in musicology. He was a tutor in musicology at the University of Cambridge from 1993 to 1998, and then took up the appointment of Director of Music at an independent girls’ school in Windsor. In 2003, he was appointed Director of Sixth Form at a co-educational HMC independent school in north London, where later he took up the Deputy Headship. He has also been a Parry Society Lecturer at Eton College. Dr Sachania is a member of the HMC, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Freeman of the City of London, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, a member of the UCAS Council (representing the nation’s independent schools in this forum), Co-Chairman of the HMC/GSA Universities’ Committee, Chairman of the London Region of GSA schools, a Governor of Halliford School, Shepperton, a former Trustee of the Royal Society of Musicians, and a Reporting Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. A music scholar with an international profile, Dr Sachania has published widely, including authoring articles on music aesthetics and new editions (with historical and editorial commentaries) of various musical works as well as editing numerous arrangements of original music and essays, including one of the first critical studies on Godowsky’s corpus of arrangements.

Nick read History at UCL. At Dulwich he was previously Head of Middle School and Head of History before taking on his current post. His British Naval Staff in the First World War was awarded in the Anderson Medal in 2009 and he is a Vice-President of the Navy Records Society. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Philippa was educated at Croham Hurst School, followed by Roedean School for Sixth Form. She attended UCL gaining a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics, 1st class and PhD in Fluid Dynamics. Prior to embarking on a teaching career she completed a PGCE course at the Institute of Education. Philippa started teaching at Harrow School in 1993 and during a 30 year tenure taught IGCSE, A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, A level Statistics, STEP, Oxford entrance tests, AEA and UKMT challenge material. She has been involved in a partnership scheme to raise attainment from D to C and A to A* for selected pupils in local maintained schools. Her main responsibilities at Harrow have included Head of Mathematics, ISI inspector, Examination marker for Edexcel IGCSE, Year 12 Registrar and Awards Registrar and other responsibilities have included non-residential boarding house tutor, organising “Long Ducker” – a large scale charity running event and the annual “Biathlon”, which is a swim/run or row/run competition. It was Philippa’s role as Awards Registrar (2011 – 2023) in which I oversaw the assessment and awarding of all scholarships and means tested bursaries.

Dr Ruth Sullivan was educated at City of London School for Girls and Sherborne Girls. She read Geography at Edinburgh University and in 2007 took four years out of her teaching career to complete an MSc in Population and Health and a PhD in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Prior to joining Sherborne Girls as Head in September 2018, Ruth held senior roles at several schools, including Deputy Master at Haileybury College; Head of Sixth Form at The Queen’s School, Chester; Head of Geography at Glenalmond College and Housemistress at St John’s School, Leatherhead. She is a keen advocate for the development of women of the future; actively encouraging programmes at Sherborne Girls to enhance their wellbeing, individual voice, sense of empowerment, adaptability, digital ability and resilience. In her current role she has embedded a greater understanding of the importance and need for teamwork, kindness, empathy, friendship, and integrity, balanced with a healthy work ethic. She has also been a key driver of the School’s commitment to sustainability. She believes strongly that the unique relationship enjoyed with Sherborne School enables both schools to offer the best of both worlds - a superb single-sex education combined with a vast array of co-educational social, pastoral and co-curricular opportunities. Ruth enjoys running for physical and mental wellbeing and regularly completes marathon and ultra marathons.

Dr Tim Hands is Headmaster of Winchester College, having joined the school in September 2016. Tim was previously the Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford. Educated in the state sector, Tim studied the violin at the Guildhall School of Music before reading English at King’s College London of which he was recently made an honorary Fellow. He has a doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford, where he was a lecturer in English Literature at Oriel College. Tim has extensive experience in the independent sector acquired during his time as a boarding housemaster at King’s School Canterbury, Second Master at Whitgift School, and Headmaster of The Portsmouth Grammar School. He was also Chairman of HMC from 2013 – 2014 Committed to the idea that schools exist to serve both their local and national communities, Tim has acquired a national reputation for cross-sector partnerships. First at The Portsmouth Grammar School with the creation of the annual Portsmouth Festivities, followed by the Oxford Festival of the Arts. Most recently, Tim has committed critical support to Winchester’s Heritage Open Days, celebrating access to the history, architecture and culture of Winchester and the College. With the ambition of encouraging a diverse social mix in all of his schools, Tim has sought to encourage and open up access, minimise barriers for applicants and judge candidates on their potential, not their background. Tim has published several books on 19th century English literature, especially on the author Thomas Hardy. He writes frequently for national news outlets and specialist journals on a variety of educational issues. He is married to Jane, a solicitor, and they have two grown-up sons. Both Tim and Jane enjoy watching sport (from cricket to Gaelic hurling), reading books, and listening to classical music.

Dr Tom Durno began teaching as a Graduate Tutor at the University of Cambridge, while completing his doctoral studies on the poetics of the English Romantic ode. His research focussed on the ways in which ephemeral poetry written for newspapers - extremely popular in the early nineteenth century - shaped the practice of major literary figures at the time. Tom still holds a passion for the Romantic period: a time when it seemed that a mere thing of beauty, even the slightest poem, could inspire the most powerful political and social thinking. The joy of teaching undergraduates took Tom into the classroom and away from research, and he began his school teaching career at Trinity School, Croydon. Tom moved to Westminster School in 2017, running the English department there, and taking a particular interest in equity and diversity in school curriculums, cross-curricular scholarship, and, latterly, the possibilities of AI in education. Tom joined Alleyn’s School as Deputy Head (Academic) in 2023.

Ed Vaizey (Lord Vaizey of Didcot) is a member of the House of Lords, appointed in 2020, and sits on the Communications and Media Committee. Ed was the Member of Parliament for Wantage between 2005 and 2019. He served as the UK Government Culture and Digital Minister from 2010-16, and is the longest-serving Minister in that role. He played a key role in putting coding in the national curriculum for schools, and in attracting inward investment to the UK tech economy. He was appointed a privy councillor in 2016. Ed currently serves as a trustee of the National Youth Theatre, the Documentary Society and London Music Masters, and is a patron of Kids in Museums. Ed is a visiting professor at King’s College, London and Newcastle University; an Honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects; an Honorary Fellow of the Radio Academy; President of Didcot Town Football Club; and Deputy President of the Old Pauline club.

Elaine Cunningham-Walker is Forbes featured and award winning educational strategist and founder of global education consultancy GMA Education. Elaine is the mother of two award winning children who were endorsed by MENSA when they appeared on Channel 4 series Child Genius in 2015. Elaine’s experience in raising genius children and securing them at top boarding schools with music and drama scholarships has led to parents reaching out to her asking how they can get the best out of their children at home and in the field of education. The consultancy specialises in bespoke educational roadmaps, tuition and strategies to help children win places at top boarding schools including St Pauls, Ashdown House School, Eton, Harrow, Lancing College and Shrewsbury School. Elaine specialises in bursary and scholarship applications with a 100% success rate providing the child meets the eligibility criteria. Recently Elaine has started assisting children with university applications to Russell Group and Ivy League in the USA. Elaine has a core belief that every child carries excellence in them and it simply requires nurturing. Elaine equips people and parents with strategies that can not just be used in education but in life too. This is evident in her two children who play 7 instruments between them at distinction level. Elaine’s mantra is ‘there is genius in every child, it just needs nurturing’

Elaine is a parenting coach, speaker and author of ‘My Child’s Different’. Her expertise was born from real life experience, when her son was excluded from his third school at the age of seven. Using The Parent Practice methodology, her son’s sense of self worth was restored with lots of positive encouragement, giving him responsibility, encouraging independence, helping him understand and accept his feelings of difference, his anxieties, frustrations and anger, and helping him learn from failure and bounce back from set-backs. The outcome was he finished school as Head Boy, and is now a budding entrepreneur. A huge testament to the transformative work and impact The Parent Practice has on families and children. The story is told in her TEDX talk here on Neuro Diversity is a super power and not a problem. She’s not Wonder Woman or Super Nanny, not Mary Poppins or Nanny McPhee, she’s just herself (and in essence, she’s probably you) and that’s what makes her different. She’s been at the end of her tether wondering why her child is different and what she can do to support him. She has learned first hand the skills it takes not just to survive the struggle, but to get to the other side and change the story. She niches in neuro diversity and working with separated families helping then develop a plan to share the care and ensure the children are always in the centre and not the middle. It’s her mission to create a happier future generation by sharing parenting strategies that will have an authentic impact, transforming challenging children into confident and contented children with her personal style and a positive approach.

Eleanor Dixon launched Falkner House (boys) in 2017. Mrs Dixon was educated at Falkner House herself before going on to St Paul’’s Girls’ School and then Cambridge. She started her career as a City lawyer at Ashurst before moving to Falkner House in 2011. Mrs Dixon has two sons herself who are both currently studying at Falkner House.

Emma Bell has been appointed as the new Head of St James Senior Girls’ School in West Kensington; she is replacing retiring Sarah Labram. Emma was previously Deputy Head at Tudor Hall school in Oxfordshire. She has over 20 years of experience in education, as a teacher, careers and Higher Education adviser and senior leader. Having studied History at Oxford, Emma began her career as a Strategy Consultant and then through volunteering recognised her vocation in education. Passionate about the transformative power of a truly thought-provoking holistic education, Emma is a strong advocate for single-sex senior school education and the benefits of an environment where no subject or activity comes with a gender stereotype, and everything is designed with girls in mind. Emma is delighted to have joined the St James community.

Emma began her career in 2004, in investment banking (RBS, Bank of America Merrill Lynch) before joining Brewin Dolphin in 2014. She works with family lawyers, accountants, IFAs and private clients to help create financial security for the future.

Emma Goldsmith is the new Head of Dragon School in Oxford. She is the twelfth person to lead this renowned co-educational Prep School since it was founded in 1877 and the first female to do so. Emma joined the Dragon after a successful few years as Head of Winchester House Prep. Emma taught at Oakham and Rugby Schools and went on to become Deputy Head at Bloxham School where she also worked as Housemistress, setting up the first girls’ boarding house. Educated at Durham Johnston Comprehensive before reading English at the University of Manchester, Emma is enthusiastically involved with the Boarding Schools’ Association and IAPS, is an active ISI inspector and Vice Chair of ISEB.

Emma has been with St Lawrence College for over 6 years having been recruited, initially, as the Commercial Manager. Emma’s links with St Lawrence College go back to 1986 as her sister was a student during this time and in recent years Emma’s youngest son has been educated at the school. This connection has provided Emma with a first-hand experience of the incredible development of facilities at the College as well as a strong awareness of the successful careers that many Old Lawrentians go on to achieve. Having graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Business Studies and French, Emma’s initial career took her overseas as she pursued roles in Tour Operating before returning to her roots and establishing a new direction within the field of education.

Having graduated from New College, Oxford with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Emma started her career in teaching at Stowe School. She was a Housemistress to Sixth Form girls there before moving on to Canford School in Dorset to run a 13-18 day house in addition to teaching Economics and being responsible for Oxford and Cambridge entrance.   In 2001, Emma was appointed Admissions Tutor and then Senior Mistress at Dean Close Senior School and worked there for six years before taking up the Headship of Christ College, Brecon, the first female Head in that School’s 475 year history. During her 10 years at Christ College, Emma oversaw the enhancement of academic results, expansion of school numbers, significant building work including new facilities for Science and Creative Arts, the opening of a Junior School and a partnership with a Malaysian company to open a sister school in Kuala Lumpur. Emma is a champion for co-education, for the benefits of boarding, and for both excellence and inclusivity inside and outside the classroom. She has contributed extensively to BBC Radio and TV in Wales as well as writing and speaking on educational issues across the independent sector. Knowing Dean Close well, Emma was delighted to take up the leadership of the Foundation at an exciting time in its development, with ambitious and inspiring building work planned for the senior school and with growing and deepening relationships between the family of schools and nurseries, now offering outstanding care and education from the first months of life into adulthood.

Eve Jardine-Young has been Principal of Cheltenham Ladies’ College since 2011, and has worked in education for over 25 years. She had held academic and pastoral roles in both single sex and co-educational schools, having originally studied Engineering Science at Cambridge University and worked in industry for a time. She is Chair of the World Leading Schools Association (WLSA) and has spoken on themes relating to leadership and education in the UK, Washington, Prague and Hong Kong. She has written on leadership, careers of the future and the fourth industrial revolution, holistic education and wellbeing, and professional development within education. A Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, she is also a trustee of the Barnwood Trust, whose work supports marginalised and vulnerable adults in leading more independent lives. Deeply committed to environmental initiatives, she has an interest in conservation, sustainability, design, social enterprise, microfinance and development economics, having been born and raised in Malawi.

Felicity has been an English teacher at St David’s College for 10 years, delivering lessons to groups of students across KS3-5, many of whom have SpLD. After completing her BA (Hons) and PGCE (Secondary), Felicity taught for five years at Ysgol Eifionydd in Porthmadog before moving to St David’s where she gained the Teaching Dyslexic Learners qualification from Bangor University. In 2019 she visited Australia with Danielle as part of Rotary’s Vocational Training Team to share good practice and support teachers in Queensland involved in educating pupils with SpLD, focusing specifically on how to differentiate effectively and ensure an inclusive classroom experience. In addition to teaching English, Felicity is Head of Year 7, Educational Visits and Activities Coordinator and is involved in the school’s boarding provision. Outside of the classroom, Felicity is an Assistant Principal Examiner for English O Level and works as a Vetter, Setter and Quality Assurer.

An international/national Neurodiversity consultant and trainer. Former Head teacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, the first specialist school in the UK for students aged 7-19 specialising in ADHD, ASD and ODD. Fin is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the former Vice Chairman of the UK ADHD Network and of the European ADHD Alliance. Currently, Fin works as trainer and consultant for schools and school support systems including, Social Services, Health, the Police and Foster carers. He specialises in providing behaviour management strategies for children and families struggling with SEND and behaviour issues and has authored several books and scholarly articles on the subject of ADHD, ODD and a range of Learning, Behaviour and Socialisation issues.

Fiona was educated at Rugby School and St. Andrew's University, and for the past 30 years has worked in independent education in Australia, the U.K., and the U.A.E. Her roles in schools have encompassed teaching, marketing, recruiting, as well as running alumni relations. Fiona's comprehensive understanding of how schools run was built up as the wife of a Headmaster, a Governor of several U.K. schools, and as the parent of four children who have all been educated in British boarding schools. Fiona moved into education consultancy and ran the Middle East business of another well-known firm before taking up the role of the Head of Education at the Carfax Education Group. Over the years Fiona has worked with hundreds of families guiding them to make the best educational choices for their children whether at school or university level.

Having graduated from Oxford with a Classics degree, Fran worked in Westminster politics before completing her PGCE and joining the College in 2014, teaching Classics and Government and Politics. She subsequently enjoyed the roles of PGCE Co-ordinator, Head of Classics (paternity cover) and Head of Year in the Upper School. As Head of Lower School and a member of the Senior Management Team, Fran has academic and pastoral oversight for all boys in Year 7 and 8 and oversees Admissions at 11+.

Gareth is Principal of Cardiff Sixth Form College. After serving 17 years in boarding schools in the UK and internationally, fulfilling pastoral roles of Housemaster, Head of Boarding, Head of Pastoral and Headteacher as well as teaching, marketing and admissions roles, he joined Cardiff Sixth Form College in 2015. Gareth is a passionate exponent of international, boarding education and is proud to be associated with such a highly academic and top-performing institution as Cardiff Sixth Form College. As a Welshman, he is honoured to be able to contribute not only to one of Wales’ leading educational establishments, but also to one of its leading businesses.

Joining Alleyn’s in 2006 as Teacher of PE and Games, Gavin English worked his way up through taking on the position of Head of Football and Pastoral Deputy followed by Director of Sport in 2017, a role he kept until September 2022 when he became Deputy Head (Pastoral). In November 2021, Gavin founded and launched The Alleyn’s Academy; an ambitious outreach programme which aims to provide opportunities to break down barriers to access and enable social mobility through sport. This initiative continues to welcome over 100 pupils and their parents to Alleyn’s each week for a fun-filled evening of sporting action. Gavin has a unique insight into the Alleyn’s experience, having been brought up in South London and receiving a Bursary place to attend the school himself. Outside of Alleyn’s Gavin is a proud dad of two and he continues to work closely with the Independent Schools FA. He is also the Chair of Governors for a large state secondary school which is part of one of the UK's largest Multi Academy Trusts and is a Chairman of a non-league football club.

Since September 2018, Headmaster of Millfield Schools Gavin Horgan has sought to inspire and empower students to use their voices for change, to discover brilliance in every child and to lead staff to make Millfield the world leader for the development of children. Gavin, who has a history of academic excellence with a Masters in Classics from the University of Oxford, joined Millfield from Worksop College, where he delivered academic turnaround. His earlier career included working in schools in Sri Lanka and Argentina before he returned to the UK as the Deputy Rector of the Glasgow Academy. Gavin has worked in senior management in the maintained, independent and international sectors. In his time at Millfield, Gavin’s passion for encouraging students to be disruptors for good has resulted in students taking on active roles in several school and world-wide issues. In his own words, Gavin took on the role at Millfield as the school is, ‘distinctively different and not shackled by tradition. It has the resource, the attitude and the capacity to lead the way and define education in the UK, now and in the future’.

Gavin Mann is the Director of Development at North London Collegiate School with overall responsibility for setting and delivering the School’s development and alumnae relations programmes and embedding fundraising and philanthropy throughout the School’s community and beyond. Before this role, Gavin was the Director of Development at Haileybury where he set up a new Development Office and re-integrated fundraising into the School’s strategy, raising funds for capital projects, scholarships, and bursaries. Gavin is passionate about raising awareness and funds for bursaries to allow more bright students to benefit from the world-class education on offer at NLCS.

Gemma has worked in Atom's Customer Success team for just over a year and a half. Gemma's primary goal at Atom is to ensure that parents are fully equipped to support their child with senior school admissions and transition. Prior to working for Atom, Gemma worked in private tuition, supporting hundreds of students across London with their 11+ preparation for many of London's top day schools.

Gemma Gray is a strategic marketing consultant who collaborates with schools and businesses to problem-solve all manner of marketing and communication needs. One of her clients is Scotland’s Boarding Schools, a collaborative group of world-class Scottish boarding schools. For 15 years Gemma was the Director of Marketing & Admissions at Fettes College Edinburgh so shares her client’s passion and commitment to promoting the benefits of boarding in Scotland to national and international prospective families. Gemma has in-depth knowledge of independent education and champions a customer-focussed approach to communication. Starting her career at Saatchi & Saatchi London, Gemma has over 23 years’ experience in advertising, marketing and branding, account directing major national and international television and press campaigns for high-profile brands including Johnson & Johnson, VisitScotland and Danone. She prides herself on her jargon-free strategic solutions designed to be implemented easily and produce impressive, measurable results. Her network of creative filmmakers, photographers, designers and PR specialists means she can offer a full start-to-finish service for her clients. When not at work, Gemma can be found walking in the great Scottish outdoors with her husband, daughter & faithful whippet, sampling whisky and extolling the virtues of living in Scotland.

Gemma Kilby is Head of Admissions & International Registrar at Felsted School. Prior to working for Felsted, Gemma was an EAL teacher and taught in China for two years, bringing an exciting cultural understanding to the Admissions Office at Felsted. Following her past experience in teaching overseas, Gemma has a passion for the promotion of internationalism in education, along with a desire to promote the benefits that boarding at school can bring for both UK and overseas students.

Prior to his appointment as Assistant Head, Teaching & Learning (Innovation) at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Giles has had a number of roles across the independent sector spanning both pastoral and academic leadership spheres, with an active interest in admissions at 11+. After attending Winchester College, he earned degrees in music and mathematics before discovering a passion for educational research. He completed his masters at Brasenose College, Oxford, focusing on the emotional components of maths learning. He is currently researching the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Education through a PhD at the Institute of Education, UCL. With a passion for evidence driven pedagogy and an unwavering commitment to improving the quality of education for all, Giles welcomes the opportunity to continue the conversation around the future of education

Giles Entwisle joined Durston House in September 2020. For the previous seven years Giles was Headmaster of Bede’s Preparatory School in Eastbourne, the prep school of Bede’s senior school. Before that he was Deputy Head at Highfield School in Liphook, Hampshire, and Housemaster at Holmewood House in Tunbridge Wells. In total he has taught at five different prep schools, all of them with strong reputations and high standards of teaching and pastoral care. Giles began his career as a languages teacher, qualifying from Bristol University in 1992. He has an Honours degree in Modern European Studies from Loughborough University, and is married to Regina, a Spanish teacher. They have two children aged 21 and 16. Beyond the classroom, Giles enjoys cooking, reading, travel and the great outdoors. More recently he has discovered the challenge of distance running, and lists one of his achievements as completing the midnight Arctic half marathon, which takes place each January in Tromsø, Norway.

Grace has been with The Good Schools Guide for more than 17 years, having previously been a barrister and classics teacher. She is now the Director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants. She has extensive experience of advising parents about schools and education. Grace has visited countless schools during her time with the Guide and knows the London education scene inside out. She has a deep understanding of the pressures and anxieties that parents experience when making decisions about the education of their children and how these can be heightened as a result of the competitive London market. Education has always been a passion of Grace’s, having grown up in a boarding prep school in Sussex run by her parents as joint heads.

Director of Tuition at Bonas MacFarlane, Harry Cobb spent two years working as a residential tutor out in Kazakhstan. Since 2013 Harry has worked with Bonas MacFarlane and overseen thousands of successful tutoring placements and homeschooling assignments.

Helen Davies is the editorial projects director of The Sunday Times looking after the Rich List, the Giving List, Best Places to Live as well as the Parent Power school league tables and the Good University Guide. As property editor she campaigned on issues of cladding, and better quality new homes. She is also a regular reviewer for The Sunday Times's Books pages.

Helen Keevil is the Pastoral & Mental Health Lead, Assistant Head in charge of Pupil Welfare at Epsom College with a particular focus on e-safety & wellbeing. She’s been a boarding HMM, Head of Year and Head of Department, and is a member of SLT. As a multi-linguist she uses IT in the classroom to deliver interactive lessons in French, German & Spanish whilst promoting independent as well as collaborative styles of learning. She trains senior student digital mentors, peer mentors of various ages and delivers regular INSET to teachers, gap students, parents & matrons on pastoral issues, safeguarding & e-safety updates. She tutors for the Boarding Schools Association, sits on the HMC Women in Senior Leadership Network mentoring female middle leaders and is a member of the advisory board of the Votes For Schools debating platform. She also enjoys raising awareness of positive mental health issues through local charity work.

Helen Lowe has been Head of Bute House Preparatory School for Girls since 2012. During her thirty years’ career in education Helen has worked extensively in both the maintained and independent sectors, at secondary and primary schools, teaching English and Drama. She is a Governor at Hampton Boys’ School, a member of the Governors’ Education Committee at Latymer Upper School, a Team Inspector for ISI and sits on the Members and Accreditation Committee for the GSA. Helen is committed to ensuring children move on to the ‘right school for them’ at 11+. Her school’s non-competitive academic ethos is unique; girls are encouraged to run their own best race. She works tirelessly with parents to choose the right school for their daughter and to support them in their navigation of the 11+ minefield! Helen is married with two grown-up children and enjoys all aspects of the Arts in her spare time.

Helen Stanton-Tonner been a serving head in the independent sector for 10 years and has recently moved into the role of Director of Education and Inclusion for the Independent Schools Association where she had been a member Head. Prior to this she worked within senior roles across a number of schools in both the independent and the state sector. She also worked as an educational advisor, supporting schools with the implementation of technology-based projects to enhance the education and accessibility for their pupils. The Independent Schools Association is one of the oldest of the independent schools’ organisations and provides professional support to its member Heads as well as high quality training opportunities and access to a wide range of membership services. With a reputation for offering warmth and professional, practical advice Helen is delighted to have joined their team.

Mr Henry Price MA (Oxon) became Headmaster of Oakham School in September 2019, having previously been Headmaster for five years at Wellington School in Somerset. Henry studied Classics at New College, Oxford University, before spending two years as an Oxford Classics Fellow at Sydney Grammar School. On his return to the UK, Henry taught Classics at Sherborne School, where he also coached the 2nd XI cricket and 1st XV rugby teams. He then moved to Rugby School, where he was Head of Classics, a Housemaster and latterly Senior Housemaster. Having spent 25 years in the boarding sector, Henry is a firm believer in the value of boarding and is passionate about making school years precious, joyful and transformative for each individual child. Henry is also a strong advocate of co-education, recognising the importance of thoroughly preparing pupils to thrive beyond their time at Oakham School and contribute effectively to the communities in which they live and work. Henry is married to Mary, and they have four school-aged children.

Henry is Head of Strategy at Selina Finance, an innovative UK lender helping parents use the equity in their home to finance their children’s school fee payments more efficiently. Henry is a former Army Officer and was subsequently a financial services consultant with Boston Consulting Group. He is also a governor at Sacred Heart School, Roehampton.

Hero Brown is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Muddy Stilettos, the ‘urban guide to the countryside’ and the UK’s No1 women’s lifestyle website outside London, with 1m users each month. “Muddy” has fast become the trusted guide for smart, cosmopolitan women looking to make the most of their and their families’ precious time. Combining a witty tone with warmly engaging editorial, Muddy curates and makes trusted recommendations on Things to do, Art & Culture, Kids, Home, Eat & Drink, Travel and Fashion for its fun-loving ABC1 readers. Encompassing the Muddy Stilettos School Guide with 300+ up-to-date online School Reviews, Hero and her team of editors give the inside line on the best independent schools across England and Wales, each visited annually. The reviews are highly trusted and provide genuine insights into each school, with informal, insightful advice from Hero and her team of ‘in county’ editors who are all respected national journalists, as well as mums. Hero’s own educational background means she has vast experience to call on in her school reviews – she attended a local state primary school before moving to an independent senior school and from there taking up a place at Oxford University to read English. As a parent, she has over 10 years’ experience of both private and grammar school education. Coupled with Muddy’s recently launched Top 200 Best Places to Live 2022 outside London, and the annual Muddy Stilettos Awards supporting local independent businesses, Muddy Stilettos is essential reading for any parent living in or looking to move out of London. A top national journalist with over 25 years’ experience with the broadsheets and glossy magazines, Hero has been Editor of the Independent on Sunday magazine, Deputy Editor of Red magazine and a freelance features writer for Elle, Marie Claire, The Telegraph and The Times. In 2019, Hero was named as one of the UK’s ‘50 Most Inspiring Women in the UK’ by the Daily Mail as well as being listed in PR Week’s Power Book. In 2020 Muddy Stilettos was named as one of the Top 20 NextGen UK media brands. In 2021, Hero appeared on Channel 4 as an expert on The Hotel Inspector with Alex Polizzi. Muddy Stilettos began life at Hero’s kitchen table after she moved out of London, fuelled by a desire to discover the local area’s bests kept secrets. A huge part of Muddy’s success can be attributed to Hero’s unique ability to talk directly, intimately, honestly and with humour to readers at a local level. She is passionate about supporting and promoting the most unique, exciting local businesses, both on the site as well as through the prestigious Muddy Stilettos Awards, Hero lives in Buckinghamshire with her three children and the least-friendly cat in the Home Counties.

33-year-old, former Classics scholar Hugh Viney is the founder and CEO of Minerva’s Virtual Academy, a unique, online independent school for pupils aged 11-18, and Minerva Tutors, one of the UK’s most well known providers of private homeschooling and after-school tutoring services. Over the last seven years, Hugh’s hands-on, passionate approach to growing Minerva and helping to professionalise the industry has opened the door for thousands of home-educated children to achieve the support and academic qualifications they deserve. In December 2020, Hugh launched Minerva’s Virtual Academy, an online school with a mission: to offer a truly viable, affordable, and fully-online alternative to traditional independent schools for the very first time, and to offer the British Curriculum to all children, no matter where they live in the world. Hugh’s education philosophy blends tradition with innovation: pupil confidence and multi-disciplinary learning is at the heart of everything Minerva does. His organisations have won many awards over the years, including three nominations for this year's Education Investor Awards. Hugh has also been runner-up for the Duke of York Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the National Business Awards.

Idhren joined SEN Legal in March 2020 as a paralegal, having held roles in education and family law previously. Having successfully completed the Training Contract at the end of 2022, Idhren now works alongside the other solicitors on aspects of SEND Law (with a particular interest in related social care issues), including applying for EHC Needs Assessments, all types of Appeals to the SEND Tribunal, and post-Appeal work, such as resolving funding and transport issues related to school placements. Prior to pursuing a career in law, Idhren worked in industry and then took a prolonged family break to raise 3 children with SEND. She returned to work in 2016, initially volunteering with Coram Children’s Legal Centre, where she developed a detailed knowledge of both education and family law. The decision to specialise in Education Law was an easy one, allowing her to support parents and children / young people to achieve the education they deserve, while also drawing on her experience as a SEND parent.

Irfan Latif is the principal of the multi-award winning DLD College London, a 13-19 co-ed boarding and day school in the heart of London. During his career Irfan has held a number of leadership roles in education including Headmaster of Sexey’s School, Deputy Head (Academic) at Bedford school, Head of Science and Chemistry at St Benedict’s School, Ealing, Senior Housemaster at Whitgift School, as well as being the Assistant Housemaster and Head of PSHE at the Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Boys. Educated at Emanuel school, London, Irfan graduated from King’s College, University of London with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, followed by a PGCE in Secondary Education and is currently studying for an MA in Educational Leadership. At university he was active on the Student Council and played representative sport, including rowing and cricket. Irfan has an active role in education and, boarding and is on the Executive Committee of the Boarding Schools’ Association, having been its Vice Chair, and is also the chair of the London Boarding Forum. He is on the board of directors at AGBIS and the Independent Schools’ Association and sits on the board of practitioners for the ground-breaking ‘AI in Education’ movement set up by Sir Anthony Seldon. In addition, Irfan is a co-founder of the Inclusion and Diversity group for the Independent Schools’ Council, and he also sits on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Independent Education. He has spoken at several national and international conferences including Disrupted23 and was recently nominated for Tatler’s ‘Best Head of a Public School’. He also sat on the board of education at the Diocese of Bath and Wells and sits on the Professional Development Committee for the Society of Heads. Outside of school, he enjoys art and attending galleries, museums, and concerts. He is a keen runner having recently completed the London Marathon, enjoys swimming, ballroom dancing, following Arsenal FC and engaging in politics. He is married to Jo, the Head of Science of a leading London independent girls’ school and the CEO of the award-winning ‘Karma Curry’. They have two daughters and their Jack Russell terrier, Rodney.

Isabelle is an independent school expert with over 11 years’ experience helping students gain entry to the best independent schools in the country. 100% of Isabelle’s students achieve at least one of their top three schools, and 95% achieve all three. Isabelle has seen first-hand how difficult the admissions process can be. Students lack a structured, 360-approach to learning, while busy parents don’t have the time and tools to support them efficiently. That’s why she created Paideia – to provide a clear learning pathway to the exam; one that fits into family life with ease, is fun for children to use, and gets the results they deserve. Isabelle is a member of British Mensa and studied French and Philosophy at university – including a year studying Metaphysics at the Sorbonne, Paris – before going on to be called to the Bar of England & Wales as a barrister.

Good humoured, empathetic, and pragmatic, Jacqueline understands the dilemmas parents face in their search for the right school and relishes identifying schools’ unique qualities and ethos in her reviews. After gaining a degree in English and Drama from the University of Exeter, she specialised in upper years in Kent primary schools as a senior leader. Educated at Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School and then The King’s School, Canterbury, after spending some years in France, she returned with her family to her old stomping ground. She believes there is very little they haven’t experienced in education (from a prestigious traditional London boarding school to Steiner and everything in between). With her experience in the 11+ process, Jacqueline has supported parents in preparation, appeals and exploring alternative options. The boarding school journey is close to her heart, having been a day pupil in a majority boarding school, then later experiencing all flavours of the boarding experience in her family from occasional, weekly and full-on full-time! ‘Boarding isn’t one size fits all and that’s why I love reviewing boarding schools’ she says. Jacqueline has taught and co-ordinated home school groups, specialised 1:1 SEN, led holistic educational workshops, and is a freelance writer. ‘The system can be overwhelming – but with a calm, rational, child-centred approach, there is always a good solution. When we relocated back to the UK, it felt as if we’d landed on the moon with the shifting educational landscape. Cue The Good Schools Guide, where I’m now delighted to help parents transform the uncertainty of their child’s education into an exciting reality.’

James began his career in financial services with the accountants Blackstone Franks before joining Advisory & Brokerage Services (A&B) in 1993. During his 15 years at A&B (which later became Origen) his team focused on the planning needs for high net worth clients. He holds the Diploma in Financial Planning (Dip PFS) and was made a Divisional Director in early 2013. James is responsible for providing clients with holistic financial planning advice and specialises in inheritance tax and retirement planning. He is also an affiliate member of STEP.

James Barton is Director of Admissions at Mander Portman Woodward (MPW). Having worked at MPW for 12 years, James is a huge believer in the sector and the virtues of a different approach to education. He has a wealth of experience from educational policy to interviewing, coaching and advising students on subject choices, university applications and careers. James is also author of the popular Getting into Medical School, Getting into Veterinary School and Getting into Engineering guides, and sits annually on medical school panels. Alongside giving presentations both domestically and internationally on a range of educational topics, James is a contributing editor for varying publications and has given talks for the How to Academy and TEDx. James read BA (Hons) Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Warwick, before gaining an MA Acting and working for many years as a professional actor.

James Bonas read Psychology at Oxford and is one of the founding tutors of Bonas MacFarlane. James is one of the company's lead assessors and with over 20-years of teaching experience is able to support pupils and help parents navigate their way through the educational system with enthusiasm and skill. When James is not tutoring, he works as a theatre and opera director.

James Dahl was appointed 15th Master of Wellington College from September 2019. Prior to that he was Second Master Elect as well as Deputy Head Pastoral, having served previously as Director of Admissions & Marketing. Educated at The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle and Haileybury, and having read Classics at Cambridge, James started his career under Anthony Seldon at Brighton College, becoming Head of Classics at the age of 23 and then Head of Sixth Form. He left Brighton in 2006 to become a Housemaster at Repton, before joining Wellington in September 2013. James is also a Grade 8 flautist, pianist and percussionist, and represented Cambridge at second team level in both cricket and rugby.

James began his educational journey as a teaching assistant, working 1:1 with children with a range of learning and behavioural needs. After this, he qualified as a secondary school English teacher through the TeachFirst programme (working in a 'turn-around' school). Since then, he has worked as a tutor with Bonas Macfarlane, and is simultaneously studying a masters in educational leadership at UCL. Beyond tutoring, he enjoys leading on the Duke of Edinburgh programmes, climbing Himalayan mountains, and has cycled 20,000km across Africa and Asia.

James Kimber is Head of Geography at Seaford College, he developed a keen interest in the wider world growing up with his father, a geologist. James read Physical Geography at Exeter University and then joined the financial sector before going into teaching, a career he loves. James has extensive experience in state, grammar and private schools. James chose to work at Seaford because of the warm and friendly community, the ‘Love to learn’ ethos and its location in over 450 acres of listed parkland at the foot of the South Downs National Park. In addition to his Head of Geography role James heads up our Sixth Form Eco Committee and supports many of the environmental projects throughout the school. These initiatives led to Seaford College winning the Independent Schools of the Year 2022 - The Green Award for Environmental Achievement in October. James is passionate about rugby and is a qualified England Rugby Coach, has the England Referees Award. He is a Referee for the Sussex Society of Rugby Football Union Referees. He lives in West Sussex with his partner Becky and son and they all enjoy travel. His most recent family trip was fossil hunting at the Jurassic Coast over October half term.

Having read Biology at the University of Bristol James Lyon Taylor started his teaching career at Brighton College, where he taught Biology and Chemistry and was Head of Year 9. James then moved to Marlborough College where he was a Housemaster in a co-educational boarding house for 13 years. James believes in the value of full-boarding to offer a richness to the curriculum and co-curriculum and has coached sport, particularly rugby and hockey, and been involved in many aspects of the co-curriculum. He has recently been appointed as Director of Admissions, overseeing the entry of pupils to Marlborough in year 9 and 12. It is a particularly exciting time as the College looks to expand its bursary provision to widen access for pupils through offering bursaries ranging from 5%-110%. James looks forward to the chance to discuss this provision with you

James Monaghan hails from South Devon, England where he spent a large amount of his childhood. He was a student at The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, where he boarded and completed his A Levels. After leaving school, James went on to complete a BSc (Hons) in Geography at Middlesex University and a PGCE at Southampton University. In 1994 he was appointed as a Geography teacher at Mill Hill School in North London, where he worked for 17 years. During this time, James coached school rugby and cricket teams; ran the Combined Cadet Force; coordinated extra-curricular activities and spent 10 years as a Housemaster. Between 2011 and now he has held positions within the North London Collegiate family of Schools as Director of Boarding, Vice Principal, Teaching and Learning and Vice Principal, Curriculum before being appointed, Principal of NLCS, Dubai and has led the school ever since. He completed a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2018 from the University of Buckingham. James is a passionate teacher of geography and enjoys all sports, including cycling and triathlons. His other big passion is spending time with his family.

James Priory has been Headmaster at Tonbridge since August 2018. He was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, where he was the recipient of an Assisted Place. He moved to the Sixth Form at Taunton School and then on to Lincoln College, University of Oxford, where he was awarded a First Class Degree in English and was Proxime Accessit for the Newdigate Prize for poetry. James' first teaching post was at Bradford Grammar School, where after two years he became Head of Year 7. He moved on to Portsmouth Grammar School, being appointed as Head of English in 2000, and was subsequently promoted to Senior Teacher and then Assistant Head with responsibility for the Sixth Form, before becoming the first internally appointed Headmaster in almost 200 years. During his time at Portsmouth Grammar School, James was Chairman of the Portsmouth Festivities, a city-wide annual celebration of young people and the arts, and a trustee of HMS Warrior (1860). He developed an interest in choral music as cantor in Lincoln College Chapel Choir, has performed in and directed a range of theatre productions, and is a keen follower of sport. James chairs the Governing Body Education Committee of Marsh Academy, a fellow member of the Skinners' family of schools. He is also a governor of Holmewood House School and Bickley Park School. He sits on HMC's Education Committee, is a team inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, and a member of the Independent Schools of the Year panel of judges. James is married to Helen, who teaches English. They have three children, the youngest of whom attended Tonbridge.

James became Head of North Bridge House Prep School in September 2018. James grew up in Kenya and spent five years at boarding school in Somerset. Following a degree in Economics and Spanish he worked for the consultancy firm PwC before completing a PGCE in Economics. His first teaching job was at St. Olave’s Grammar School in Kent where he taught Economics and History. In 2007 he was appointed Head of Economics at Highgate School where he was also responsible for the co-curricular programme. In 2014 James joined North Bridge House Senior Canonbury as Head of Sixth Form before progressing to Deputy Head Teacher. James is a keen runner and enjoys half and full marathons.

James feels very privileged to be the Senior Deputy Head of such an amazing school as Fettes College. His key responsibilities extend to the day-to-day running of the school, deputising for the Head in her absence, facilitating the varied range of the school’s excellent co-curricular programme, supervising the running of chapel, co-ordinating whole school events and upholding standards and good behaviour. James works closely with the Head and Deputy Heads to support and manage teaching staff, with staff welfare being a strong focus. Previous to taking on this position, James was Houseparent of Carrington for twelve wonderful years and also counted himself lucky to remain part of the Mathematics Department, as teaching sits at the core of all that Fettes does. Outside Fettes, he is a Governor of Craigclowan School & Nursery. Together with his wife Andrea, James likes to moonlight as a chauffeur, tutor, cook, go-fer, financier and general lifestyle facilitator for two teenage sons. His homeland of Australia remains a key part of his life and James remains ever-prepared to don the baggy green cricket cap should the selection call ever come!

James Wilton is Deputy Head in charge of Marketing and Admissions at Repton School. A former Head of English and Boarding Housemaster, and also a Microsoft Fellow in charge of the award winning ed-tech provision at his school, he brings a decade of varied experience and innovation to bear on pupil recruitment to Repton. He believes very strongly that the UK’s top boarding schools are uniquely placed to offer an education fit for the unpredictable and doubtless complex challenges of the coming decades, and that families should unquestionably consider boarding as a magic ingredient to help their children thrive in the 21st Century.

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Jane became the first female Head of Alleyn’s School, Dulwich, in January 2021 having been Head of Wimbledon High School from 2014 to 2020. Jane was previously at Wellington College and Prior’s Field Schools in a variety of roles: Head of English, Assistant Director of Studies, Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Pastoral and Housemaster’s wife, before becoming Senior Deputy at Wellington in 2010. Jane attended the University of Bristol (English) and the North London Collegiate School. Jane began her career in marketing and research before taking up teaching. She has a broad experience of both single-sex and co-educational environments; helped set up The Sunday Times / Wellington College Annual Education Festival and has run (and spoken at) numerous workshops and conferences. Her first book, “The State of Independence” was published in 2019 and the second edition of that will be published in Feburary 2023. She is currently Chair of the Teenage Mental Health Commission. Jane is also a Governor of the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, Barrow Hills School and King Edward’s School Witley. She is also a Trustee of the Royal National Springboard Children’s Foundation.

Janita joined The Good Schools Guide in 2008 and is now the commissioning editor; she has two children who were educated at state and independent schools and she lives in Herefordshire. After studying English literature at the University of York and a master’s at the University of Sussex, she worked as a commissioning editor in trade publishing and the university sector for many years. Despite her busy role as part of the senior editorial team Janita loves travelling far and wide across the UK to visit and write about day and boarding schools. Her prolific review writing and being part of the editorial team gives her a great advantage in consultancy work. 'I’ve become a complete school nerd' she says, 'and love finding out about all the diverse and fascinating schools we have in the UK. What I enjoy most about being a consultant is talking to parents about their children and the challenge of helping them to find the best choice of suitable schools.’

Having gone navigated through the British Private Education System himself, with a degree in Politics and International Relations from LSE, He has successfully started and managed several education social media accounts with over a million followers. Jason is now leading Think Academy’s Business Development team here in the UK. During his tenure at Think Academy he has helped hundreds of parents navigate through this crucial period of time in their children’s academic career.

Jemima is the School Project Manager for the Place2Be service at Knightsbridge School. Educated at St Mary’s School, Ascot, she studied Classics at Oxford University before working in investment consulting for six years. Jemima retrained as a child psychotherapist /counsellor through the Place2Be charity and is registered with BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).

Since becoming head of City of London School for Girls in 2019 in the Barbican, Jenny has focused much of her headship around the idea of 'Finding space to pioneer'.  Part of this has involved growing partnerships with other schools, including building much closer collaboration with City of London School, and also pursuing an estates strategy, forging new educational provision in ‘satellite’ buildings close by in the City.  The most recent expression of this is the establishment of a joint co-educational junior school at Gray's Inn.  This is Jenny's second headship; she spent 5 years as head of St Alban's High School for Girls, an independent day school with 1040 pupils aged 4 to 18.  Before this, Jenny worked in several leading schools, including South Hampstead High School and St Paul's Girls' School, where she was director of the sixth form.  Jenny herself was educated at North London Collegiate School and the University of Oxford, where she read English.  Jenny continues to teach English at A Level and cites reading John Donne and Jane Austen, going to the theatre with her playwright husband and children and wild swimming amongst her passions. 

After qualifying as an accountant and then teaching people for the professional examinations, Jenny moved into the Education sector and has spent more than 25 years there. Having started in a state school in London, she moved to the independent sector where she has worked in both boarding and day schools. Jenny spent 3 years in the USA and experienced life in an American independent school, the National Cathedral School in Washington DC. Jenny joined LIL in January 2017 and has relished the experience of life within such a young school which has been able to evolve rapidly in response to changing life in the UK and the world. It is exciting and challenging.

Jess Mendes Rego has worked in the education sector for 15 years following her education at both state and independent schools in the UK and overseas. Raised in Portugal, Jess is bilingual, fluent in Portuguese and English. Her love for different cultures led her to become an adventurous and well-travelled person, having explored countries in South America, East Africa, and Asia. After completing her education, Jess embarked on a career in education, where she worked in Taiwan, teaching English as a foreign language and developing curriculum and academic programs in schools. She also led teacher training sessions. Returning to London in 2012, Jess worked as the Summer School Director at the International Community School London, leading a successful summer programme, where she was in charge of the operational aspect, academic standards, and safeguarding. Following this, she joined the Admissions team as the Admissions & Marketing Coordinator and Special Projects Director, where she was responsible for developing and implementing strategies to promote educational programmes and initiatives. Jess joined the admissions team as Head of Admissions at North London Collegiate School in January 2023, overseeing the Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form admissions.

Mr Jesse Elzinga has been Headmaster at Sevenoaks School since September 2020. During this time, he has successfully managed the school through the pandemic, overseen its most successful exam results and supported the wellbeing of the school community, including being part of Harvard University’s ground-breaking Human Flourishing Program. His aims for the future include widening access to Sevenoaks School with more free and assisted places, becoming carbon neutral, developing partnerships with other leading IB schools and furthering Sevenoaks School’s global outlook. He is committed to the school’s award-winning ethos of service and partnerships that connects us with our local community, and supports other communities around the world. Jesse joined Sevenoaks School from Reading Blue Coat School in Berkshire, where he was Headmaster from 2016. Before this, he was Director of Studies at Harrow, where he broadened the school’s academic curriculum. He also worked at St Edward’s School in Oxford as Director of Studies and as IB Coordinator where he helped introduce the IB Diploma and was a residential Assistant Housemaster. He started his career at Whitgift School as a teacher of Theology and Philosophy, the Assistant Head of Sixth Form and the Theory of Knowledge Coordinator. He studied at Harvard University, where he gained a BA Honours cum laude in Comparative Religion and Philosophy, and at Oxford University, where his MSt focused on ethical philosophy. Jesse was a three-time national champion rower at Harvard and Oxford, and then became a competitive cyclist, twice racing against Sir Bradley Wiggins at the British Time Trial Championships (although Jesse is keen to point out that Sir Bradley won, by a significant margin, on both occasions!). Jesse is also an Ironman triathlete and marathoner, and since moving to Sevenoaks, he can be spotted in the early morning running in Knole Park. Jesse’s wife, Elaina Elzinga, works in the investments team at the Wellcome Trust. Jesse and Elaina enjoy cooking, BBQing, travelling and they are Friends of the Royal Opera House and supporting members of England Rugby Club. They have three daughters and live in Sevenoaks close to the school.

As the Pastoral Deputy Head Jessica oversees all aspects of the pastoral care of the pupils and the boarding life of the School, including the recruitment, training and line management of the HMs. She is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and manages a team of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, the Health Centre staff and School Counsellors. Jessica works closely with the Bursar to assess and co-ordinate the maintenance and upgrading of the Houses. Preparing young women for a lifetime of change has never been so important as it has been over the last 18 months. This is why, in her current role, she is particularly focussed on cultivating a culture of life-long, self-reliant wellbeing in the girls at Sherborne, ensuring they develop into confident and well-rounded women of the Twenty-first century. Jessica has held a number of pastoral positions in both day and boarding schools, single-sex and co-educational settings, including being a Housemistress at both Cheltenham Ladies College and Dean Close. Jessica read English Literature at Reading University before completing her Graduate Teacher Training Programme at Downside School.

Jo founded Bursary Assessment Associates in 2017. Following her experience as Director of Finance and Operations at a leading day school, Jo recognised the need to provide more support to schools and families with the bursary assessment process. She established Bursary Assessment Associates to provide the link between the school and family, managing the bursary application and assessment process on their behalf in an impartial, insightful and joined up way. Having grown up in one of the most deprived areas in the Country, Jo has first-hand experience of the transformative opportunities of a great education and is motivated to help families access these life changing opportunities for their children. Before founding BAA, Jo spent almost 30 years in international board level roles, she is a Chartered Global Management Accountant and qualified in Advanced Programme Management. Jo is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of the company, and she works closely with school leaders and organisations representing the independent school sector to ensure that young people have access to great educational opportunities whatever their background.

Jo joined the Trust in 2019 to lead and develop the Trust-wide marketing and admissions strategy. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing and fundraising and prior to working at the Prep Schools Trust was the Director of Marketing and Development at Northampton High School. Jo worked for a number of years prior to this at Scope, responsible for marketing and fundraising across the Midlands Region. Jo has a Geography degree from the University of Nottingham.

John Solosy, Chartered Financial Planner, Solosy Wealth Management. John began his career in financial services in the City of London prior to looking for a little excitement and joining the British Army. John attended Sandhurst and after 10 years and having achieved the rank of Major he had a family of his own and decided to re-embark on a career as a Financial Adviser. John is a Chartered Financial Planner specialising in intergenerational wealth and tax efficient school fees planning.

An Oxford graduate, Judith is a highly experienced Drama and English teacher, and over twenty-five years has worked extensively in both the independent and state sectors. She has taught in girls’, boys’, mixed, academically selective, non-selective, specialist and SEN schools, and has particular in-depth knowledge of schools in south-east and south-west London. As an actress, she specialised in theatre-in-education and community theatre, and toured to primary and secondary schools all over the UK in a huge variety of shows. She holds an MA in Performance Arts from Middlesex University, and continues to have a passionate interest in music, drama and dance education. As well as writing for The Good Schools Guide, she is a commissioned playwright for BBC Radio, where her Sony-nominated work has won consistent popular and critical acclaim; she also regularly wrote and presented “Something Understood”, the BBC’s contemplative arts-strand for insomniacs. She is married with two sons, and lives in south east London. She says, “Putting together my teaching, my acting, and my work for The Good Schools Guide, I’ve been inside more schools and met more teachers than almost anyone I know, outside The Good Schools Guide experts, of course! I know how they tick, and I love using my experience to help parents make the right choice for their child.”

Julia Harrington is Headmistress of Queen Anne’s School in Berkshire, an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 – 18. An Exeter University graduate in History and Government and Politics, Julia’s first job was at the Independent Television Companies Association. Following the birth of her three children, Julia trained as a history teacher. She joined Prior’s Field School in 1996 and was appointed Deputy Head in 2003. Julia joined Queen Anne’s School as Headmistress in 2006. Julia, who has also trained as a psychodynamic counsellor, has always been interested in neuroscience. In 2013, she established BrainCanDo (BCD), an educational neuroscience programme which she introduced into Queen Anne’s School. She believed that the knowledge gained from research into how the brain learns, and its potential - as well as its vulnerability - during adolescence, should be fed into the education system and translated into programmes for schools, using neuroscience, psychology and motivational skills. Working with academics at the Universities of Reading and Goldsmiths (University of London), BrainCanDo has undertaken research into a number of areas including emotional contagion; the effect of music on sporting and academic performance; the value of self-affirmation; how to deal with anxiety and stress, especially in preparing for exams; how memory works; sleep and bio-rhythms, and has developed resources for teachers to develop their own expertise and bring evidence-based teaching practice into the classroom. Queen Anne’s School is part of the United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation, which includes four other schools (independent and state).

Julia Hodgson was educated at Eastbourne College and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge where she studied Geography. Having completed a PGCE at the Institute of Education she taught at Dulwich College before becoming Head of Department at the British School of Brussels. On returning to the UK, she taught briefly at Downe House and then moved to Marlborough in 2000. Julia teaches Geography at the College and was Resident Tutor and then Housemistress in Morris for a combined total of 16 years. She took over as Director of Admissions in September 2017.

Julian Thomas is Director of JPT Consulting, and an inspirational speaker, combining his experience of high-level organisational leadership with tales and lessons from some of the world’s iconic adventure challenges. He was until September 2019, the Master of Wellington College and Chief Executive of the Wellington College Group of Academies and Schools, as well as Chairman of the Wellington College Multi Academy Trust. He was a founding governor of the London Academy of Excellence - now regarded as a model for state-independent school partnerships. Julian is a champion of meaningful collaboration between state and independent schools and is committed to forging links between the two sectors. Following an early career in IT in the banking and oil sectors, Julian taught at Forest School and St. Dunstan’s College, where he co-authored several Maths text books. He went on to be Director of Studies at Portsmouth Grammar School and Second Master at Hampton School. After completing an MBA in Educational Leadership, Julian was appointed Head at Caterham School in 2007. He became the 14th Master of Wellington College in 2015. In 2014, Julian completed an unassisted 950km trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and, more recently, he has competed in the Marathon des Sables and will attempt to row the Atlantic Ocean in December 2019. He has climbed Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso and is in the process of acquiring his freefall skydiving licence. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2016, he was named by the Evening Standard in The Progress 1000 – London’s most influential people. In 2019, he was named in the i25 - one of independent education’s 25 most influential people.

Julie Robinson attended Sackville School, a state secondary in East Grinstead, before studying English at the University of Birmingham. She began her career as a teacher and was head of two IAPS, co-educational, day and boarding prep schools for children aged 3-13. She led education and training for IAPS for five years and was appointed General Secretary of the Independent Schools Council in 2015. As CEO, Julie is responsible for the day-to-day management of the ISC and answers to the ISC Board and Chairman. The ISC’s data analysis informs advocacy of the sector and Julie has appeared in the national media regularly. Her live appearances include Newsnight, Sky News, The Today Programme, BBC and Channel 4 News. The ISC is a coordinating, umbrella body providing a vital link between the independent education sector and government policy. It brings together AGBIS, GSA, HMC, ISA, IAPS, ISBA and the Society of Heads along with affiliates BSA, COBIS, SCIS and WISC. The ISC’s three priority areas of activity are (1) research/data, (2) media/communications and (3) policy/public affairs. In all things, the ISC seeks to support, inform and promote the sector, rebutting untruths and explaining the value of independent education to wider society. Julie is a school governor at a state school as well as an independent school in London.

Mrs Kate Reynolds has been Head of Royal High School Bath, GDST since January 2020. Formerly Head at Leweston, Mrs Reynolds was previously Head of International Students and teacher of English and Drama - before that, she taught at Sherborne and Gillingham School. Mrs Reynolds has a commercial background, having briefly practised Law in London and Somerset and brings a breadth of experience to her role as Head of Royal High School, a leading girls’ day and boarding school in Bath. Mrs Reynolds’ philosophy is founded on her expectation of high standards in all aspects of School life including academic, pastoral and extra-curricular to ensure students are encouraged to be their best versions of themselves. She believes that an over-arching value of kindness is critical to ensuring students hone their empathetic skills and treat everyone as they would wish to be treated. As well as this pursuit of high standards, Mrs Reynolds is a keen advocate of physical activity and sport which she believes is key to good mental health. She practises what she preaches including leading a lunchtime running club which has proved extremely popular with students – perhaps because of the involvement of Lolo, her enthusiastic Collie dog. “The pandemic has not dented the School’s character in any way. There is so much to celebrate at Royal High School Bath with friendly, engaged and curious girls; supportive staff who go the extra mile because they care hugely about the school; and, an exciting and challenging learning environment.” The girls’ energy and determination yet down to earth groundedness makes for a very special school of which we are all proud. I am humbled to be part of such a remarkable establishment.

Mrs Woodcock is currently Headmistress of Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park. She was previously Headmistress of Sydenham High School, GDST, where she held the post from April 2017-August 2022. Mrs Woodcock read French and Russian at Bristol University. She gained considerable teaching experience, both in the UK and abroad, before embarking on her PGCE at St Mary’s, Twickenham. Katharine comes from a long line of teachers, and her first teaching post was as a languages teacher and resident tutor at Oakham School, Rutland, where she later became a Housemistress. She moved to London in 2005 where she took up the role of Second Deputy Head/Head of Sixth Form at Queen’s College. During her last four years at Queen’s she was Senior Deputy Head. Mrs Woodcock sits on a number of educational groups, is a governor of a primary school in north London and in her spare time enjoys running and outdoor pursuits. She is married with two children.

Kelvin Tanner is a Partner in the immigration team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP and a specialist in corporate and private client immigration. His corporate clients range from multinational companies through to SMEs and start-ups and he assists them on matters related to their immigration strategy, compliance and the relocation of their staff into the UK. Kelvin assists private clients on the full range of UK immigration applications, with a particular specialism working on the immigration matters of high net worth individuals and families seeking an alternative residence or citizenship. Kelvin regularly assist clients on the immigration aspects of UK inward investment matters, working with companies and entrepreneurs. He also regularly works on complex immigration matters and has had a number of notable successes in persuading the Home Office to exercise their discretion to approve applications outside of the Immigration Rules.

Kirsty has led the admissions team at South Hampstead High School since 2019. Before this, she practised as a solicitor for 20 years and holds an MA in Law from Queens’ College, Cambridge. Kirsty lives in North London and has been a South Hampstead parent for 12 years. She is a passionate advocate of all-girls’ education and all three of her daughters currently attend the Senior School. As such, Kirsty brings first-hand insight and extensive experience to prospective families; she thoroughly enjoys helping parents to navigate the applications process and supporting them to find the best fit for their daughter. She is keen to ensure that every applicant gets a sense of South Hampstead’s warmth, energy and purpose; each year she enjoys welcoming a new cohort of diverse individuals and watching them thrive.

Mr Koen Claeys is the Principal of Burlington House School, a thriving specialist SpLD day school for children aged 7-19 years old. Burlington's new Prep School was launched in September 2022 and is just minutes away from the main Senior School campus in Fulham. It also has a Sixth Form campus in Ravenscourt Park. Koen started his teaching career in Belgium, where he was born and educated, before moving to the UK in 2002 to teach Languages. He spent thirteen years at St James’ Senior Boys School holding several senior positions including Deputy Head. Prior to joining Burlington House School in 2019, Koen was the Headmaster of Bredon School in Gloucestershire, an award-winning dyslexia-specialist boarding and day school which under Koen’s leadership was named as the number one school in the UK for ‘value added’ at Post-16. Koen values the importance of the relationship between school and home and is a firm believer in providing pupils with access to an appropriate and ‘hands-on’ curriculum, focusing on the needs of the individual, providing specialist support in the form of therapies and assistive technologies, and ensuring the best academic outcomes and opportunities for all. He is an ISI Inspector, a Governor for Thamesmead School in Shepperton, an 11-16 years Academy School, and the Safeguarding Governor for Shrewsbury House School Trust, a group of 3 pre-prep and prep schools in the Surbiton/ Kingston area.

Laura's 'first career' was in print and broadcast media at Channel 4, Five and The Guardian. Her roles in education have taken her to John Lyon and KCS. She has led the admissions team at Latymer since 2020 where her focus encompasses bursaries and marketing.

Leanna entered the world of education upon having her children and wishing for a better education for them. She founded Little Forest Folk from a dream to provide her children with the childhood they deserved. Her initial dream of one full-time forest nursery for her own children to attend was soon expanded through demand into an organisation of now seven full-time nurseries, which have received numerous accolades, won many prizes and have been presented with an award from the Queen for innovation. Upon Leanna’s children getting older, she began to pursue her dream of the creation of a primary school which was an extension of the Little Forest Folk ethos, allowing children to remain the individual wonders that they are as they progress through primary years towards becoming those children most likely to succeed in today’s world. Liberty Woodland School opened in September 2019 and is excitedly preparing to move to their new, permanent 3 acre site in Morden in September 2021.

Libby Nicholas is a managing director at Dukes Education where she is responsible for a number of Little Dukes nurseries and London day schools. A highly experienced teacher and leader, Libby has held positions such as Head of Year, Deputy Head, Headmistress, Deputy Director of Education at the Girls’ Day School Trust, and Regional Director of Education for the South & West at the Academies Enterprise Trust. Most recently Libby founded and was CEO of Astrea Academy Trust - a family of 27 schools across Yorkshire and Cambridge.

Linda Underwood is the Admissions Registrar at Woldingham School Linda has over 20 years’ experience of leading an admissions department in an independent school, 11 of these years at Woldingham School. Prior to this, Linda taught girls sports at a local independent co-ed prep school and held a position on the senior management team as they successfully transitioned from all boys to a co-ed school. Linda has two sons, both having very different educational journeys, one in single sex day grammar and one in a co-ed boarding school. This experience has given Linda a good grounding and allowing her an appreciation of the wide perspective of priorities for parents making their school choices. Woldingham is a very special school, I love being an integral part of the student’s journey through senior school education and watching their successes.

Lisa is based in NYU’s London office. Born and raised in France, Lisa also lived in Denmark and spent a couple of years in leafy upstate New York. A proud Star Wars fan since childhood, she is also a keen traveller to India and a big fan of tennis at Wimbledon.

Liz was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and Sutton Valence School.  She then completed a BA (Ed) at Reading University, where she specialised in English. Liz has worked in boarding throughout her entire teaching career.  She was delighted to join the Junior King’s boarding tutor team from 2000-2002, before gaining further pastoral experience at Port Regis, as Assistant Houseparent.  Having returned to Canterbury, and indeed to Junior King’s, Liz thoroughly enjoyed supporting her husband, Jon, during his twelve-year Housemaster tenure at Senior King’s.  Following a successful stint as Head of Year 4 and Housemistress of one of the four day houses, Liz took up the Head of Boarding role at Junior King’s in September 2018, where she is also Deputy Head (Pastoral) and DSL.  Liz has been married to Jon, who is now Head of Psychology at King’s, for seventeen years.  They have two teenage children, Rebecca and Thomas, both of whom have been lucky enough to have gone through Junior King’s and are currently being educated at King’s.  Although never boarders themselves, the children have certainly benefitted from spending so many of their formative years living within a boarding environment. Liz is a passionate advocate of the opportunities afforded by a strong boarding ethos. She sees Junior King’s as a prep school that affords the time and space in which to nurture the whole person, and where pastoral care is at the centre of all that it does. It is within this environment that young people will achieve their best, both in and out of the classroom.

Liz McLaughlin has been Head of Falcons Pre-Preparatory School in Chiswick for 2 years. Before joining the school, Ms McLaughlin was the Primary School Principal of the International Community School in Marylebone, having been there in a leadership role for 7 years. Prior to teaching in London, Ms McLaughlin taught in the USA (including the Hayley Pilot School in Boston) and in Italy at the Bilingual European School in Milan. She studied for her first degree in English and Elementary Education at the University of Vermont where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Ms McLaughlin then went on to take a Master of Education at Queen’s University in Ontario and another Master of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Boston, as a part of the School Leadership Programme. In her spare time, Liz enjoys horse riding, as well as continuing to improve her Italian following her time in Milan.

Mrs Gaffney has a wealth of experience in the independent school sector, joining Prince’s Gardens from Brighton College Singapore where she was Deputy Head from 2020-2022. Mrs Gaffney knows the independent school sector well, having worked in leadership positions within prep schools for the past 13 years. She started her career at Old Buckenham Hall Preparatory School where she held the role of Head of Science and Designated Safeguarding Lead before progressing to Deputy Head. Mrs Gaffney then moved to Korea where she became Head of Prep School and Vice Principal for North London Collegiate School in Jeju, before relocating back to England to join the prestigious Handcross Park School in Sussex. Qualified in Science, and Early Years and Primary, Mrs Gaffney has experience in 11+ and 13+ schools and the International Primary Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and The Prep School Baccalaureate. Most recently, this broad experience allowed Mrs Gaffney to write a complete curriculum as the founding Deputy at Brighton College Singapore. Mrs Gaffney is passionate about curricula development, pupil progress, and innovative teaching and learning. In recent years, she has specialised in developing excellent Early Years provision, ensuring the foundations for the youngest children are well developed.

After studying English at St John's College, Oxford, Lorna worked as a theatre agent and reviewer before joining the Financial Times, where her roles included Deputy UK News Editor, Arts Editor and Editor of the Weekend section (now Arts and Life). In 2006 she decided to follow her longstanding vocational desire to teach. She started at Sutton Valence, then spent four years at Ashford School as Head of English before joining Sevenoaks as Assistant Head of Sixth Form. Her husband is a theatre dramaturg and translator for international festivals across Germany and Austria; he and Lorna lived in Hamburg for several years. She has three children, one of whom is an Old Sennockian.

Lottie was educated at the Dragon School, Oxford and Cheltenham Ladies’ College. She then completed a BA (Hons) in History of Art and Architecture at Manchester University before receiving a PGCE at the Institute of Education in London. Lottie taught at Broomwood Hall in London and Elstree School, Berkshire, before moving to Cottesmore with her husband, Tom, to run the school in 2008. Lottie ran the boarding from 2008 to 2012 and still oversees many aspects of it. Having had her own children, the eldest is boarding at Cottesmore, she is in charge of admissions and has a full role in the school as Head’s wife too. Cottesmore is a family run school which ensures that all children are well looked after whilst enjoying all that boarding school has to offer.

Miss Lucinda began her teaching career doing work experience at Young England Kindergarten in 2000. She then continued her training and gained a degree in Early Childhood studies, followed by a PGCE in Primary Education specialising in Early Years. Miss Lucinda obtained her QTS in June 2008 whilst teaching a reception class at Eaton House, The Manor School. Miss Lucinda re-joined Young England in 2009 and became Head Teacher in September 2011. Located in the heart of Pimlico, Young England Kindergarten is a family-run nursery school that has been educating children since the 1960’s. Young England Kindergarten is proud to hold an OFSTED ‘outstanding’ rating. We are passionate about creating a fun, loving and educational space for our children. Our children are encouraged to explore their potential and develop at a relaxed pace that is rewarding, fun and challenging.

Lucinda has more than 14 years’ experience supporting students and families with their education choices. She joined The Good Schools Guide in 2018 having previously run London-based education consultancy Oxbridge Applications. There she worked closely with schools and students to demystify the Oxford and Cambridge applications process and offer practical guidance for preparation. Since starting as Managing Director of The Good Schools Guide, Lucinda has developed the teams of editors and consultants who write school reviews and deliver consultancy advice and has furthered the Guide’s reputation as the UK’s leading impartial source of information on education. Lucinda now has a child of her own and comperes The Good Schools Guide Forum with the fresh perspective and enthusiastic interest of a new parent hungry for insight on education matters.

Lucinda Miller is the founder and clinical lead of NatureDoc, a UK-wide team of Naturopaths, Nutritionists and Nutritional Therapists who incorporate Functional Medicine. We take a scientific and holistic approach to identify the key drivers of health problems including laboratory testing and provide natural and gentle nutritional interventions.

Mrs Lucy Elphinstone, who started as Headmistress of Francis Holland School Sloane Square in September 2012, is an English graduate of Newnham College, Cambridge, and was previously Head of Sixth Form at Downe House School. Prior to a career in teaching, she worked in publishing, property development and hospitality. As a ghost-writer, she has published six books. Her vision is to prepare young women to be the leaders, thinkers, innovators, designers, entrepreneurs and game changers of the workplace in the coming decade by creating an environment which develops skills and character. Flexibility, creativity, enterprise, resilience, optimism and courage are the qualities she believes young women need to succeed in a rapidly changing technological world. Amongst many initiatives, Lucy has brought in the Extended Project Qualification, Expeditions Week, TIPS Week (Thinking Innovatively and Problem Solving), TEDx, BecomingX and ContemPlace, a programme of early intervention in children’s mental health. Her pioneering work in developing a programme of Creative Enterprise has resulted in FHS winning two national awards within the last year and running mentoring sessions for members of the GSA. She chairs the London 11+ Consortium, was voted Tatler’s ‘Best Head of Public School 2021’ and is known for her innovative approach to education.

Luke studied English at Exeter University, then a Masters in Shakespeare under Kiernan Ryan at Royal Holloway. He became Deputy Head at Christ’s Hospital in 2019 following a Senior Management Team role at Ardingly College. His own schooling was in Hong Kong and he has worked at Marlborough College, both in the UK and Malaysia, and Reading Blue Coat School. His interests include time on his ‘ergo’, refereeing sport and making the most of the Sussex countryside with his family.

Magoo Giles is currently the Principal at Knightsbridge School. He served for 11 years in the Army in Belize, Cyprus, Bosnia, and Germany, and whilst serving in Bosnia he had his penny-dropping moment where he knew what he was going to do next - work with the young! He started as an assistant and became Head of Garden House in 2000. In 2006 he took the plunge and set up Knightsbridge School as Head. In 2016 he became Principal and now oversees the school, in particular, the extra-curricular and the Alumni, and works very closely with the Parents Association (KSPA) and the Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (KSEF) providing 100% bursaries to local children.

Mrs Margaret Giblin is the Headmistress of all-girls senior school, Marymount International School, set in Surrey, southwest of London. She has over 23 years of experience in education both in the UK and Ireland. She holds an MA in Catholic School Leadership from St Mary’s University and obtained her Higher Diploma in Teaching and a BA in Theology and English at the National University of Ireland and St Patrick’s Pontifical University, respectively. Prior to her commencement at Marymount in 2021, she was the Deputy Head People at Woldingham Catholic School for Girls, where she has been working since 2012 in various roles. Mrs Giblin champions all-girls education, the value of the IB curriculum and the benefits a boarding house offers in terms of supporting the international environment she leads. She operates in a kind and objective manner which is reflective not only of her warm approach, but also of the ethos and values of the school. Mrs Giblin is married and has two teenage children.

Mark was born in Scotland, and educated at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh. He studied at the University of Aberdeen, before moving to St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he became Junior Dean of College. Mark brings with him excellent experience in a boarding environment. He began his teaching career at Shiplake College in Henley-on-Thames, where he was Head of the History Department, Resident Tutor and Master I/C of Rowing. He then headed back to Oxford in 1999, to become Head of History at St Edward’s School, as well as a Housemaster. While there, he continued with his rugby refereeing, coaching U16s rugby and U15s rowing, and ran the naval section of the CCF. In 2007, Mark was appointed Deputy Headmaster and Head of Boarding at Felsted School in Essex, where he maintained his coaching and teaching roles. It was from there, in 2010, that he headed north, to take on the role of Headmaster at Ashville College in Harrogate, an HMC co-educational day and boarding school with 870 pupils, 2020 also saw Mark take on the role of Chairman of the BSA. He has also been an ISI team inspector and a school governor and is now in his fourth year as Headmaster of Strathallan School. Mark is married to music teacher Caroline, and has two teenage sons. In his spare time, he enjoys wild camping in the Scottish islands and walking in the hills.

Mark White was educated at Eton College and Edinburgh University, where he read History and Politics. After five years in two retail business, he completed a Secondary PGCE in History at Bristol University and taught in Cheltenham at a large comprehensive for ten years, where he was an Assistant Headteacher. A move to Oxford and the Dragon School, saw him become Deputy Head (Academic). Over the past seven years, he has been both Head of Hazlegrove Prep School, a day and boarding school in Somerset, and currently he is Head of Wetherby Prep in Marylebone, London. He lives in Oxfordshire with his family. All his three children have experienced both prep school and boarding senior schools and are now working in London or at university.

Mary has a background as a Speech and Language Therapist, both in the NHS and private sector, with experience working in a special school and as an autism assessor. She has a particular sensitivity to finding the strengths and needs of the individual child. Her work takes her into a range of schools: Independent; State and Special provision; Primary; Prep and Secondary and she is familiar with the requirements of the National Curriculum. Mary says 'With three children of my own I understand the pressures on family life and how important finding the right school is. I have also lived through the agony and joy of the competitive entrance tests. Being a Good Schools Guide Education Consultant allows me to help parents at a worrying time with some practical help and reassurance. My advice about schools often involves my specialism of Special Educational Needs.'

Matt Way joined Stonar in September 2019 bringing with him over 20 years' experience of working in predominantly boarding schools, including Milton Abbey, Stowe and Mount Kelly. He knew of the school's strong academic record and leading equestrian reputation prior to joining and has been building on these and, despite the difficult year, the school has increased in size and continues to grow.

Matthew Pattie is Director of Teaching, Learning and Scholarship at Putney High School GDST. Matthew has a particular interest in scholarship and academic extension and believes in helping students to develop a genuine lifelong love of learning for learning’s sake. Previously Head of History and Politics at Putney, Matthew is a History teacher with a strong interest in Early Modern History and cultural and gender history, holding an MA in History and English Literature and an MLitt in Women, Writing and Gender. He is also involved in Putney’s 11+ Admissions including developing and running the school’s bespoke entrance process.

Matthew Shoults has been Headmaster of Notting Hill and Ealing High School since 2017. He studied Classics at Worcester College, Oxford, and after graduation he spent two years in the Civil Service before teaching called. He began his career teaching Classics at KCS Wimbledon, also immersing himself in music, sport and other activities. He moved to North London Collegiate to be Head of Classics in 2004, becoming Academic Deputy Head in 2010 and Senior Deputy Head two years later. He is a keen musician (violinist and singer), mountain walker and runner.

Melanie has been with The Good Schools Guide for 9 years, having previously worked as a PR agency director. During this time, she has prolifically reviewed prep, grammar, state and independent day and boarding schools across London and the home counties. In 2014, Melanie joined the Guide’s team of education consultants, working with families tackling international and UK relocations, education planning and troubleshooting, among other areas. In 2019, she became managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, tasked with overseeing all the print and digital content, including school reviews and advice articles. Mum to two school-age sons, she has experienced first-hand the highs and lows of school selection, prep school admissions, the 11+, common entrance, boarding life and a whole lot more, and is keen to pass on her wealth of knowledge to other parents.

Mike founded Ashbourne College in 1981 and has since presided over its continuing academic development and success. Mike is a key figure in the promotion of independent education in the UK through organisations such as the Council for Independent Education. Mike was also formerly a lay member of the Admissions Panel for Medicine at UCL and Head of Faculty for Mathematics and Physics, one of Ashbourne's most successful departments. Mike studied Aerospace Engineering and Statistics at the Universities of Toronto and London.

Mireille’s international career started as a French lecturer in the US & Norway, followed by twenty years as part of the senior leadership team of various schools in France and the USA. After playing a major role in the setting up of innovative educational projects and new teaching methods at the Lycée International Franco-Américain in San Francisco, CA, Mireille was delighted to return to Europe to take on new responsibilities as Founding Head of the Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill.

For Naheed education is a deeply moral endeavour and the exercise of leadership demands a thoughtful, ethical foundation. His own rests on the tenets of pluralism, integrity, generosity, and trust. Naheed arrived in south Wales in August 2021 from Upper Canada College in Toronto, where he was head of upper school for six years. Before that, he served as dean of students and senior school principal during his 10 years at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. Joined in Wales by his partner Edwina and two children, Rainan and Nabih, Naheed will work with this strong community to build a more just, sustainable and peaceful world. “The move to a more peaceful and sustainable future is to the benefit of all and we will get there by helping our students harness the world’s diversity and caring for those who are most vulnerable, he says. “At UWC Atlantic, with its roots in experiential learning, building compassion, selfless service and innovation, we stand the best chance of achieving these noblest of ideals.” Naheed holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the Western University, Canada; a Bachelor degree in Education from the University of British Columbia, Canada; Masters of Arts from the Institute of Education, University College London, UK; Masters of Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, USA

Naomi Bartholomew was educated at Portsmouth High School for Girls and went on to read English and Education at Homerton College, Cambridge. Having spent two years in South West China with Voluntary Service Overseas, she went on to teach both in state and independent schools as a primary class teacher. Naomi then spent five years as Head of English at Yateley Manor School before moving on to Deputy Headship at St Catherine’s Preparatory School, Bramley, an independent school for girls aged 4 – 11, near Guildford, in 2009. She was appointed as Headmistress of St Catherine’s Preparatory in January 2012.

Charismatic leader, Natasha Dangerfield, took the helm as Westonbirt Headmistress in 2013. In the years preceding her headship, Natasha enjoyed success as Head of PE and Sixth Form Boarding at North Foreland Lodge, Director of Pastoral Care at Gordonstoun and Deputy Headmistress at Harrogate Ladies. A mother of three teens who is described by the Good Schools Guide as “energetic, fiercely determined and a force to be reckoned with,” Natasha is passionate about inspiring young minds. She has fostered a nurturing environment at Westonbirt where students are supported to become the best version of themselves and has driven significant growth at the school which successfully transitioned to co-education in 2019.

Neil McLaughlan has been Head Master of Westminster Cathedral Choir School since 2007. He graduated from Durham University with a First in Philosophy and Politics, before working in management consultancy with Accenture (then Andersen Consulting). In 1997 he took up a vocational career in teaching, first at Worth School and then as Head of English and Director of Admissions at Downside School. The independent Good Schools Guide says of Neil’s leadership at WCCS: ‘Under Neil’s visionary yet kindly leadership, this has become an inspiring school that is going from strength to strength.’ Neil lives in London and is married to Philippa. They have two children: Miranda (13) who is at Godolphin and Latmyer School, and Edmund (12) who is at WCCS, and heading to KCS Wimbledon in 2020.

Head at Fulham Prep School since 2018, Neill has been an instrumental leader to drive the expansion of Fulham School which now incorporates Fulham Senior school in addition to the Pre-prep and Prep. He is a great advocate of the school’s approach to combine stretch and challenge across the curriculum with a kind and nurturing environment in which to grow and develop. Neill previously taught biology at Wellington College for 24 years, where he ran a boarding house for 12 years. He spent three years on secondment at Wellington’s Prep School, Eagle House, where he was Deputy Head Strategy. He spent the last three years at Wellington as a Deputy Head Pastoral. He is passionate about sports of all kinds, especially football, having played football for England Universities in 1992. You will often find him cheering his students during weekend fixtures. He is married to Jane, who is Head of school at Alleyns in Dulwich. They have two children; Josephine graduated from Bristol University with a Classics degree and is now studying a Graduate Diploma in Law in London and Jamie studying English at Durham.

Nick joined St Paul’s Juniors in 2020 having spent 14 years working in North London prep schools. As the Senior Deputy Head at St Paul’s Juniors, Nick works closely with colleagues from both SPJ and St Paul’s School to ensure that the inquisitive and thoughtful young men who join at 7+, 8+ or 11+, enjoy their time at the school.

Nick Seward was Chaplain and Housemaster at Magdalen College School in Oxford before taking the post of Headmaster at KHS in 2008. Alongside a continuing commitment to academic rigour, the stunning Cotswold setting has facilitated the development of a School farm and environmental science programme, during a decade when the School has seen both numerical growth and a multi-million pound development in facilities. The Headmaster's personal enthusiasms are indulged with the addition of a motorsport team, a choral tradition, and his position as licensee of the Sixth Form bar(!). The latter has been a very successful way of developing manners and social graces; part of Kingham's commitment to holistic development in sport, music, and service, which equips young people to flourish in their wider lives and careers. Childhood is protected and nurtured; there is a strict policy on devices, with smartphones banned during the School day, alongside a commitment to STEM and adaptive technology in learning. He is committed to the local community as a governor of the village primary school and vice-chair of Kingham All Blacks football club, and married with four children.

Nicola Swales joined NHP as Deputy Head (Academic) in September 2020. An English specialist, with a First-Class Degree in Music from the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), she joined NHP from North Bridge House Prep School in Regent’s Park, where she held the post of Assistant Headteacher and Director of Teaching and Learning. Prior to that, she spent seven years at the Dragon School in Oxford, where she spearheaded their Teaching and Learning Innovation Programme. Whilst undertaking post-graduate study with Harvard University, she pushed for schools to use research-based evidence to improve the outcomes of pupils and to equip them with the skills they need to flourish in an ever-uncertain world. With over ten years’ experience preparing children for 11+, 13+ and scholarship entry to the country’s top independent schools, she has a strong track record leading children and parents successfully (and happily) through the senior school transfer process.

Olivia Buchanan is in her fourth year as Headmistress at Falcons Prep Richmond, where she also continues to teach her passion, Geography. Olivia began her interest in Humanities by studying Geography at St Andrews University. During her studies, she volunteered at a local Primary School, where she fell in love with teaching. From there, she went on to continue her studies at Cambridge University, completing a Secondary PGCE in Secondary Geography. Her first Geography Teacher role was at Cottenham Village College, she then achieved a Masters with Distinction at Cambridge University. Olivia moved to London to take up the role of Head of Geography at The Hall School in Wimbledon, where she was promoted to Deputy Head of Learning and Teaching. Following six successful years at The Hall School, Olivia then began her first Headship at Falcons Prep Richmond, where she continues to lead today. Olivia hosts her own ‘Lead Your Learning’ Podcast and Instagram Channel focussed around her interests on ‘how we learn’ and neuroscience.

Olivia Power is one of the Assistant Directors of Admissions at Sevenoaks School. She has special responsibilities for Financial Assistance and Year 7 Entry. After studying Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge, Olivia joined the Teach First programme, working at Parliament Hill School in Camden. Olivia joined Sevenoaks School in 2014 as a Critical Thinking and an IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher. Since then, her roles have included Head of Critical Thinking, Residential Boarding Tutor of a Sixth Form boarding house, Head of Debating and Head of Philosophy. She continues to teach Critical Thinking, Philosophy and TOK to students throughout the school. Olivia looks forward to the opportunity to discuss Financial Assistance at Sevenoaks with you.

Patricia Snowdon has been the Registrar at St James Senior Girls’ School since 2021. Previous roles include independent schools’ marketing and admissions in day and boarding school. in Sussex, Kent and Central London. Patricia is delighted that St James Senior Girls’ School is exhibiting at the Independent Schools Summer Fair. She would be happy to answer any questions about the school’s unique ethos and opportunities which offer an enlightened education that nurtures mind, body and spirit, all within a happy environment where learning and personal development go hand-in-hand.

Patrick Derham has been Head Master of Westminster School since September 2014. After studying History at Cambridge he taught at Cheam and Radley before becoming Head Master of Solihull School in September 1996 and Rugby in September 2001. Passionate about widening access Patrick set up the Arnold Foundation for Rugby School in 2003 which provides a boarding education at Rugby to under-privileged children and was instrumental in the setting up of the SpringBoard Bursary Foundation, a new national charity closely modelled on the Arnold Foundation, in November 2012. He is also Deputy Chairman of Trustees of IntoUniversity and a Trustee of the Gladstone Library. At Westminster Patrick is closely involved with Harris Westminster Sixth Form, an academically selective free school which has as its key objective to transform the education of the most able London students. Patrick co-edited Liberating Learning Widening Participation with Michael Worton (2010) and Cultural Olympians with John Taylor (2013) and edited Loyal Dissent (2016). In The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018, Patrick was awarded an OBE for services to Education.

I'm a Tulane alum, and Miami-native. I first came to campus in 2007 to start my bachelor’s degree. The biggest surprise of my time on campus was becoming captain of the university equestrian team. It wasn’t something I actively explored before coming to Tulane, but became a big passion. After my first degree I spent a year researching in Finland's Arctic region through a Fulbright grant. I later returned to Tulane for my second degree and to start my current role. New Orleans' innate urge to celebrate almost anything through a festival or special meal is one of my favorite parts of living here! The city always seems to be alive with music or some sort of celebration.

Paul Curran joined St Edmund's College & Prep School in January 2020 as Deputy Head - Pastoral. Educated in a small Catholic Grammar school in South Wales, Paul went on to study Computer Science at the University of Reading before securing a job in the department teaching first years how to program. Following his degree, he returned to his school for a year’s experience in the classroom, and it was there that he fell in love with teaching. Paul went on to train in Swansea before taking up his first post in New Hall School as Teacher of IT and Assistant Housemaster in boarding, where he met his wife, Jen. Paul instantly gravitated towards the pastoral life in the school while working in boarding and was appointed as Housemaster of the Sixth Form Boys’ House. Following his time at New Hall, Paul moved to Christ College Brecon to be Head of Department, Head of Faculty and Acting Deputy Head Pastoral for the final two terms. During his time at Brecon, Paul had his two daughters Isabelle and Ariana. Following six years at Brecon, Paul moved to Ampleforth College to take up the role of Housemaster, and eventually, Senior Housemaster, before joining St Edmund’s College with his wife and two children, now at St Edmund’s Prep. In his free time, Mr Curran is a fan of all things technological and all sports. Mr Curran is a qualified rugby coach and is a keen skier, and he makes the most of any possible school trip. He is a very valued member of our Senior Leadership Team and has settled wonderfully into the St Edmund’s Community.

Paul Jones, of Hawkins Thomas Wealth Management, gained an interest in financial services whilst as a professional international rugby player having observed the financial pitfalls of incapacity due to injury. As a Financial Adviser, his early career specialised in wealth management for medical and dental professionals, and this over time has developed into helping high earning parents plan and pay for their children's education.

Paul is a long-serving educationalist with almost 25 years’ experience working in independent schools in London, including 10 years at senior management level. Having gained a first-class undergraduate degree and a Masters in French literature from University College London, Paul relocated to Paris where he taught English at the New Sorbonne University before returning to England to complete a PGCE in French and Italian at the University of Cambridge. Starting his secondary teaching career at St Paul’s School, Paul was quickly promoted to Head of Italian and then Head of Modern Foreign Languages. From there Paul moved to St Paul’s Girls’ School as Director of School – senior deputy – where he had overall responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the school, pupil wellbeing, staff appraisal and development, and where he gained significant experience in supporting the design and construction of a new teaching block and sixth form centre. Prior to being appointed as Head at London Park School, Clapham, Paul served as the founding Head at Kensington Park School, a split-site, co-educational day and boarding school in central London. Under Paul, the school roll grew to 250 students in two years, while the school’s first public examination results saw 66% of GCSE grades at 7 or above, and 65% of A level grades at A*-A. Paul has also worked with St Paul’s Girls’ School and its overseas partners to set up an international school in China. Paul has been an independent schools’ inspector, a principal examiner for Cambridge Assessment International Examination, and a school governor in both maintained and independent schools. He is currently Chair of the Governors’ Education Committee at Glendower Preparatory School. When not working, Paul likes spending time with his family, hiking, visiting National Trust and English Heritage properties, and is a volunteer coach at Weybridge Rowing Club. He is a lifelong fan of Brentford Football Club.

Peter Thackrey is Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Bedales. Peter read Russian and French at Durham University, before training as a journalist. He worked as a freelance journalist in Moscow for two years, before returning to London where he spent a year in Financial Research. Peter started his teaching career in 2006 completing his PGCSE teacher training at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School where he stayed until 2012 teaching French and Russian and becoming a Day Housemaster. In 2012 Peter moved into the Boarding sector when he became Head of Languages at Bedales. Peter was then promoted to Houseparent and then Head of Boarding through to 2020 when Peter moved to Harrow Shanghai as Deputy Head. Due to the pandemic Peter returned to Bedales to be reunited with his family and is now Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Bedales. Peter’s firm belief is that when pupils, parents and the school all work together it has the best pastoral outcomes for the child.

Phillip Evitt is the Headmaster of Highfield School. Highfield School is one of the leading co-educational boarding and day prep schools in the country and is situated in 175 acres of stunning grounds on the borders of Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex. Educated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, he previously taught at Monmouth School and Dulwich College, where he was Head of History. Since joining Highfield in 1999, Phillip has established strong relationships with the leading independent senior schools which has resulted in a flawless track record for entrance to his pupils’ first-choice schools

Qiaojia is recognised as a leading advisor in the UK, and has been awarded the PAM 'Top 40 Under 40' in 2018 for her outstanding services. She previously worked for Coutts & Co as Co-head of the Asia Desk, following 4 years at Credit Suisse UK. She also held executive roles at a few prominent companies in China with broad experience ranging from relationship management, corporate finance to real estate development. Qiaojia is also a chartered FSCI and received her MBA from London Business School.

Rachel has worked at Wimbledon High School for many years and is on the senior leadership team. A keen linguist, she began her career working in the media then moved into PR, where she worked in the City and PwC’s corporate press office. She is passionate about girls’ education and the need to allow students to use their voices for good.

Ralph Lucas joined The Good Schools Guide in 1995 and became editor in chief in 2000. He has run The Guide since then and, although he still visits a few schools every year to keep his hand in, his main activities are in managing The Good Schools Guide and acting as a spokesperson. He is an active backbencher in the House of Lords where he takes a keen interest in education politics. Education data and its analysis are areas in which Ralph continues to work closely – as a former physicist, and an inveterate programmer, he has undertaken most of the work that underlies the online Guide's extensive distillations of schools’ information.

Richard Backhouse has been Principal of Berkhamsted Schools Group in Hertfordshire since January 2016. Berkhamsted is a family of six schools which operates as a ‘diamond’ model combining both single-sex (11-16 years) and co-educational teaching (3-11 years and 16-18 years). The Group also has a satellite Prep school in Buckinghamshire, Heatherton, which provides a co-educational nursery class (3-4) and single-sex education for girls aged 4 to 11. Richard is the current Chair of the HMC (the Headmasters' & Headmistresses' Conference is a professional association of heads of the world's leading independent schools). He was a boarder both at Cheam School, and Marlborough College, where he won an Exhibition. After a year working on a kibbutz in Israel, in a hotel in the French Alps, and running a bar in his home town, he read Economics at Cambridge, expecting to go on to be a journalist. Experience acting as a ski guide for school children and teaching sailing in the summers for a charity gave him a sense of the value of teaching, and so he went to Oundle School in 1990, expecting to teach only briefly before returning to university to do a PhD, but stayed for six years before moving to Bradfield College. At these schools he variously taught Economics, coached rowing and football, ran a Christian Union, and acquired managerial and leadership experience both running a boarding house and as Director of Pastoral and Extra-curricular activities. In 2005, he was appointed Principal at Monkton Combe School – an all through group – where he developed the scope and depth of the pupils’ opportunities and achievements. His interests include skiing, playing golf (badly), reading, and supports Southampton FC.

Richard Devey joined Gordonstoun in 1992 as a Geography and PE teacher. During the years he has worked at Gordonstoun he has also been a Housemaster, Head of Sixth Form and Deputy Head (Pastoral). He was recently Gordonstoun’s Director of International Development, announcing Gordonstoun’s first international schools in China and Canada. He has worked for the Gordonstoun fire service for 25 years, and continues to work with them today despite his position. The school is the only one in the UK to have a fire station which is crewed by students and is part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue service.

Richard is the Head of Bryanston and has a strong affinity with the School's ethos and values. Richard joined Bryanston as Second Master in 2020 and was given interim responsibilities as Acting Head at the end of 2021, and was appointed Head at the end of the Spring term 2022. With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, he has a wealth of experience as a housemaster and in front-line teaching and, before joining Bryanston, was previously at Canford School and St John’s School, Leatherhead. Working alongside the School’s Chief Operating Officer, Nick Dodd and other members of the Senior Management Team, Richard’s focus is to align with the School’s unique culture to provide an inspirational and dynamic educational environment for current and future pupils. He lives on site with his wife, Emily and their two sons.

Richard was Aiglon’s Head Master from 1994 to 2000 and from 2009 to 2019, since when he has taken up the newly created role of Executive Director. Before Aiglon, Richard taught for 10 years in the UK, seven years at Charterhouse and three years at Christ’s Hospital as a housemaster; he has also held a leadership role at Collège Alpin Beau Soleil in Switzerland. Richard serves on the global Board of Trustees of Round Square and on the board of the Swiss Group of International Schools, which he chaired for four years. He is a lifelong champion of challenging holistic education.

Richard Morris is a Partner at Killik & Co. For the past 13 years he has helped individuals and families save, plan and invest for their futures. He runs one of Killik’s offices in south-west London and is helping increase the firm’s branch network further. Killik & Co is committed to being the best Wealth Manager for families by blending both Financial Planning and Investment Management for all their clients.

Robin Fletcher, MBA, MPhil is CEO of BSA Group, comprising the BSA (Boarding Schools’ Association), SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association) and BAISIS (British Association of Independent Schools with International Students). Robin was a journalist, editor and communications director before joining BSA in 2014. As BSA CEO, Robin is a member of the Department for Education’s Systems Partnership Oversight Board. Outside BSA, he is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff Metropolitan University, a Governor of Rugby School, President of the Rugbean Society, and a non-executive director of the trade body Make UK.

Roland Martin, has been in his second headship at City of London Freemen’s School since September 2015. Previously, he spent four years as headmaster at Rendcomb College in Gloucestershire and thirteen years as a Housemaster and English teacher at Eton College. He was educated at Rendcomb, as a scholar, proceeding to take a degree in English and Related Literature at the University of York, before starting his teaching career at Newcastle-under-Lyme School. As a head, he is committed to widening access to pupils through bursaries and scholarships and has been active in engaging with educational issues as founding Chair of The Society of Head’s Futures Group, which he led for six years; he is also a serving team inspector for The Independent Schools’ Inspectorate. Roland was Chair of The Society of Heads 2019-20.

Mr Rory Vokes-Dudgeon is the Headteacher of Abingdon House Prep and Senior Schools. Abingdon House is a mainstream-style specialist day school in Central London for children with specific learning difficulties, autism, social communication difficulties and other associated needs, aged 5 to 19 years old. Rory is a Mathematics teacher by training however has worked his entire career in Special Needs Education. Rory qualified with a PGCE from UCL-IoE and started his teaching journey in a Secondary Special Needs School in North West London. Here he took on leadership responsibilities both pastorally and for their Maths department. He developed his skills as a Dyscalculia specialist before joining the Senior Leadership Team as an Assistant Headteacher. In 2020 Rory joined Abingdon House School as Senior Deputy Headteacher before taking on the role as Headteacher over their Prep School in South Kensington and Senior School and College in Marylebone. He is passionate about Special Needs Education and giving all students the opportunity to have meaningful outcomes in life. Annually Rory guest lectures at King's College London to their Maths PGCE cohort on teaching Maths to students with SEN.

Rosalynd has held management positions in a variety of independent schools, day and boarding, single sex and co-educational. Rosalynd has a BA and MSc in Mathematics from Queen’s University Belfast. At the age of 32 she was appointed as Deputy Head of Woodbridge School, Suffolk an HMC co-educational day and boarding school and soon afterwards became Acting Head. At 35 she took up the Headship of Wykeham House School, a girls’ independent day school where she built up pupil numbers, added new facilities, improved academic standards and established the school in the local community. Since 2006, she has been Principal of Queen’s Gate School, London where she enjoys the international dimension of this popular and successful day school for girls from 4-18. Rosalynd has worked as an ISI Inspector since 1993 and is also a Governor of a state boarding school. Until 2020, Rosalynd was Chairman of the London 11+ Consortium of many of London’s leading girls’ schools and led these schools successfully through significant changes.

With over 20 years experience as a Director of Marketing in the global education sector, Rossella is responsible for the strategic marketing direction and development of all the schools and colleges within the Alpha Plus Group, both nationally and internationally. She graduated from the University of Trieste with a BA Hons in International Relations and is fluent in both English and Italian. Her current ambition is to find time to restart her triathlon training, and other interests include history and music.

Ruth Burke, who joined the school in August 2021, is a passionate and inspiring educator, with a career spanning more than three decades – teaching in Ireland, the UK and the UAE. During her career, Ruth has driven her schools to receive Outstanding ratings from the KHDA, and has a deep understanding of the International Baccalaureate education programme, which aims to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal and social skills ready for a globalised world. Having served as a principal at three Dubai schools – Jumeirah English Speaking School, GEMS Wellington International School and Deira International School, Dubai, during the last 13 years, Ruth has almost unrivalled experience of what it means to teach and manage schools in a truly multicultural environment. Her achievements include improving academic outcomes, increasing attainment for UAE nationals, developing better parent/teacher communications, transparency and engagement, and achieving improvements across the board at all her schools. Ruth holds a Bachelor of Education degree with Honours from Trinity College, Dublin and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from the UK’s University of Bath.

Sally-Anne Huang was educated at Bolton School prior to reading Classics and English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. She also has an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management and a Masters degree in Children’s Literature, which is a personal passion of hers. Sally-Anne is High Master of St Paul’s School and experienced in governance of both boarding and prep schools. Previously she was Headmistress of James Allen’s Girls’ School, and Kent College, Pembury, where she was also chair of the Methodist Independent Schools heads’ group for two years. Sally-Anne has been an elected officer of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) since 2018 and was Chair during the academic year 2020/21. Her previous appointments have included Housemistress at Sevenoaks School, where she taught the International Baccalaureate, and Deputy Head at Roedean. Her professional interests include the importance of cultural diversity within schools and the power of performing arts in pupil experience. Married to Alexis, Sally-Anne has two adult sons and two dogs; her interests include young adult fiction, playing the saxophone and watching rugby.

Samantha Price was educated at Malvern Girls’ College and Edinburgh University, where she read History of Art (with modules of European History). Having graduated, she joined the Tate Britain and was responsible for marketing for Members and Patrons and became heavily involved with the Patrons of what is now the Tate Modern. She started her teaching career in 1999 as a History of Art and History teacher at Reading Blue Coat School, where she stayed for a number of years. She then joined King’s Canterbury as a Housemistress, History and History of Art teacher. Her next post was to be Deputy Head at Hereford Cathedral School and from there she became Head of Godolphin in 2010. Samantha is married with a daughter and a son. Her husband is an Army Chaplain. Samantha joined Benenden as the Headmistress in January 2014 and has led a number of ambitious strategic innovations at the School, including the introduction of day boarders, planning a series of schools in China and a swathe of enhancements as part of the School’s Centenary Vision; these include curriculum improvements through the introduction of the Professional Skills Programme and Benenden Diploma, alongside development projects such as the construction of staff housing, an All-Weather Pitch and the new School Hall and Music School which is due to open in the coming months. Samantha is GSA President for 2021/22.

Sameer graduated from Oxford with a Degree in Modern and Middle Eastern Languages, and worked as a translator and researcher for a film production company before pursuing a career in the Civil Service. He is the Head of Middle School at Dulwich (Years 9-11), having previously been the Head of Lower School. As Head of Middle School, Sameer has pastoral and academic oversight of some 660 pupils in Years 9-11. He also works closely with the Director of Admissions and the College Registrars on the 13+ Admissions process. Sameer also sits on the Board of Governors at Hornsby House.

Sami Michael has worked for over ten years in the independent sector. He is Director of Junior Years and Admissions at Whitgift School, a leading independent boys’ day and boarding school in Surrey. Sami has overall responsibility for all admissions entry points offered at Whitgift – 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. He also has strategic pastoral oversight of Years 6, 7 and 8 to ensure continuity of care and development for students as they commence their school careers. Sami enjoys teaching his specialist subject, English, and is also trained both as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and in Mental Health First Aid. He studied English and Related Literature at the University of York before entering teaching.

Born in Spain, Sara Williams-Ryan grew up in Switzerland where she studied History at the University of Geneva before moving to the UK, completing first a PGCE and then a Master’s Degree in Education. Sara’s first teaching post in the UK was at Coopers School, in Kent, before moving to Ibstock Place School as Head of Spanish and then Head of Modern Languages, teaching Junior and Senior pupils. She also spent two years teaching Spanish to adults in the evenings. Sara joined Peregrines Nursery and Falcons School for Girls in September 2018 from Emanuel School, where she spent 16 years in senior roles, both academic (Head of the Modern Foreign Languages faculty) and pastoral (first, Senior Tutor for Girls and then Assistant Head Pastoral). In her spare time, Sara loves reading, music and dance and volunteers for a hospital radio.

Sarah Adams is the Registrar at Putney High School. Having started her Putney career in the school’s Development Department almost 5 years ago, she has a wide knowledge of Putney High, its ethos and community as well as the southwest London market. Putney encourages students to be both innovative and intrepid in their learning and makes learning challenging, fun and relevant. Pupils explore everything from entrepreneurship and oracy to design thinking and AI, with the importance of co-curricular activities and community involvement key to a rounded education. Predominately focussing on admission into the Senior School, Sarah is passionate about engaging with prospective families and being a part of finding the right school for their daughter.

Former head of a leading independent school in Birmingham and before that, head of a co-educational boarding school in Saffron Walden, Sarah Evans has chaired a number of national education committees including establishing as an independent company and chairing the Independent Schools’ Teacher Induction Panel. She now chairs the National Induction Panel for Teachers in Academies and Free Schools and works as an educational consultant advising governing bodies on senior leadership appointments and leadership training. A Governor of four state and independent schools, Sarah is also a trustee for two Charities involved in social enterprise. She has advised her own family and friends extensively on educational matters! Sarah has been awarded the Tatler Award for Best Headmistress of a Public School, an IoD Midlands Leadership Award and an OBE for Services to Education in the January 2014 Honours List. Sarah is a welcome and highly experienced member of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants team and can advise parents on all matters to do with their children's education.

Her teaching career spans over thirty years. Early in her career she taught for the Open University in the South West and Oxford, and then spent thirteen years in the English department at St Edward’s Oxford, where she was also a boarding housemistress and ultimately Director of Studies before moving to be Warden of Forest School, London. She has been Head of Oundle School since 2015, and is currently a Governor at four prep schools. She chairs HMC’s Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee and sits on the advisory board for the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation, the UK’s largest bursary charity which helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children from across the UK to access fully funded bursaries at leading schools Sarah was educated at Steyning Grammar School, West Sussex before going on to gain an MA in English at Trinity College, Cambridge and to pursue graduate study at Christ Church, Oxford. She is married to Anthony who plays an active role in Oundle School and together they have four grown up children.

Sarah is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. She has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and re-joined Brewin Dolphin in 2015 following over ten years at Kleinwort Benson where she was responsible for managing private client, trust, bespoke unit trust and charity portfolios both on and offshore. Sarah first joined Brewin Dolphin in 2000 moving with a team from Williams de Broë. Sarah is a voting member of Brewin Dolphin’s Asset Allocation Committee.

Sarah Raffray has been Headteacher of St Augustine's Priory, which is an all-through Catholic girls day school in Ealing, since August 2012. She was previously Deputy Head of St Mary's School, Shaftesbury, having joined as Head of Sixth Form in 2001. Sarah has always worked in Catholic schools and is passionate about communicating what is best about Catholic education. She is also devoted to the warm hearted, holistic approach to schools which the Society of Heads' schools embody. Preparing students for what life in the 4.0 Industrial Revolution looks like, she is convinced that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion must be central in all schools. Sarah is Chair of The Society of Heads for this academic year 2021-22.

The Key Clinic is the first practice to bring together multiple cutting edge, drug-free treatments under one roof to unlock children’s potential. “A large number of children at school are consistently underperforming relative to their intelligence, despite being offered a first rate education. Instead of propping children up with extra support or telling them to work harder, we investigate and treat the underlying, biological factors which can cause chronic underperformance and low emotional resilience. By removing barriers to learning, you not only get a better return on the considerable investment you make in your child’s education, you totally rewrite their future.” Sarah has a BA and MA in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University. She is also a qualified Neurodevelopmental Psychologist; Auditory Integration Therapist and Walsh Institute Practitioner, specialising in identifying and treating the biochemical imbalances which underpin emotional and behavioural problems, such as ADHD, Mood swings, anxiety and depression. As a mother of four and having lived in the US, Japan, Singapore, the French Alps and the UK, Sarah brings a breadth of experience regarding different evidence based approaches adopted in different countries. She continues to research and train in the latest game-changing methods to unlock potential.

Sarah Wilson, BSc Hons (Brunel), MA (Open) has a first-class degree Secondary Education with Geography and Physical Education. Sarah was awarded the Bergman Osterberg award, a national award in recognition of her dissertation, as well as the Prydderch Williams Prize for Education by her university. Sarah has an MA in Educational Leadership and Management and has completed the University of Oxford Executive Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School. She comes to Heathfield with a wealth of leadership experience in girls’ schools: prior to Heathfield, Sarah was Senior Deputy Head at a leading all through school in Oxfordshire and was previously Director of Sport and Head of Year (Sixth Form) at St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon. Sarah is also Chair of the GSA Sports and Wellness Committee.

Sarah was educated at Wycombe Abbey before studying Physiology at Newcastle University. She then spent 21 years at Dulwich College in London as a Biology teacher, progressing to Deputy Head of the Middle School for ten years before becoming Director of Co-curricular. In 2019, Sarah arrived at Benenden to become the Housemistress of Hemsted. With the arrival of Covid, Hemsted became the original Fourths House, which set up the format for the now established Fourths House, Medway. She continues to love teaching Biology, enjoys travelling all over the world, and is best known at Benenden for her ever-present dog, Marmite.

I’m an assistant director of admissions at Tufts University, where I have worked since January 2016 with both domestic and international students. My own education from primary years to graduate school all took place in the UK (with a brief study abroad in Japan). I’ve always had a passion for international education and upon moving to the United States in 2016 I found a way to help other young people explore the benefits of an interdisciplinary education with a global focus through my work in admissions at Tufts University. I work at Tufts because our students are curious, collaborative and have a great sense of humor, and they find inspiration, community and great mentors through faculty, students and staff here.

Sean has been Headmaster at Westonbirt Prep School in the Costwolds since 2016. In addition to this, Sean is a board member of The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) and is the current Chair of the IAPS National Sports Committee. Sean has a background in, and passion for, rugby and sits on the RFU Schools Partnership Group. As an English Language graduate, Sean spent his early career in the sales industry before moving on to managing tuition centres and then qualifying as a Middle Years (KS2 and 3) teacher. After beginning his teaching journey in the maintained sector as a primary teacher, Sean moved to Westonbirt where he has held roles as Assistant Head Pastoral and then Head. In this time, he has seen the school successfully move into The Wishford Schools Group and has overseen the school doubling in size. His educational approach is centred around providing memorable and enjoyable experiences first and foremost and ensuring that pupils are prepared for life beyond prep school as learners but also as people.

Sebastian Hepher was appointed as Principal of the Eaton Square Schools Group in September 2019. This includes nurseries, a Pre Prep., Prep, Senior and Sixth Form; an education from 2.5 years through to 18 years old. Mr Hepher joined Eaton Square School in 2010, since when the school has grown significantly, as has its standing. The pupils now follow a more academically rigorous and stimulating curriculum, whilst at the same time having wonderful opportunities through the extra-curricular provision. The Schools have been through four ISI inspections under his Principalship, where the findings were Excellent or Compliant as relevant. Mr Hepher sat on the Council of the IAPS, was Chairman of IAPS 1S (70 Prep Schools in London and southern suburbs) and currently sits on the 1S Committee too; he was previously the Treasurer for IAPS 1S. He is a Governor of a highly successful girls boarding school and regularly advises other Heads as needed. He and his wife have four children, all of whom have gone through the independent sector, and each to a different senior school!

Shaun Fenton has led some of the UK’s leading independent and state schools. He has a strong belief in the power of education to open doors of opportunity and the conviction that young people must be supported with the very best pastoral care. Prior to joining Reigate Grammar School (RGS) Shaun led Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham and Sir John Lawes School, Hertfordshire. Multi-award winning RGS (TES, ISP, SOMO, Private Education Awards, Leading Parent Partnership, School House and Muddy Stilettos) for wellbeing, pastoral care, social mobility, community engagement and outreach and creativity RGS was judged to be “Excellent in all areas” by ISI in 2023. Educated at Oxford, Shaun worked in the commercial world before gaining the degree of Master of Education in School Leadership and also holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship. A Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, Shaun has been on the board of education charity and examination board AQA; a National Leader of Education; a member of the UCAS Service Advisory Group; and is an ISI Inspector. Shaun has been Chair of HMC, is a trustee of the Institute of Development Professionals in Education and sits on the advisory board of The Sleep Charity. Shaun was also honoured to be awarded OBE in for Services to Education.

Head of Knightsbridge School, Shona has been working in education for over 20 years. She began her career teaching English as a Foreign Language, both in this country and abroad. After a period working in Environmental Management, she trained at the University of Oxford (Mansfield College) and returned to teaching Science to GCSE and Biology at ‘A’ Level, initially in large, maintained secondary schools before moving to the independent sector where she was lucky enough to set up a Science department from scratch. Shona has been a Head of Science, Director of Studies and Deputy Head before accepting the Headship of KS, which is described by her as a: 'unique, warm and caring school where happy staff and happy children achieve amazing things.’ She has an MA with distinction in Educational Leadership and is trained as an ISI School Inspector.

Simon is Deputy Head Academic at Westonbirt School, having previously worked at Wells Cathedral School, Abingdon School and single-sex grammar schools in the state sector. He joined Westonbirt with the first cohort of boys, and led the transition at Westonbirt from being all-girls to co-educational. Simon has a background in Philosophy and Computer Science, with a particular interest in Artificial Intelligence and the changes to society, jobs, skills and education which we are already seeing as a result.

Simon Conner is our Registrar and runs the Admissions Department. He has been at Cheltenham College since 2001 and has been Senior Housemaster, Head of Third Form (Year 9) and Sports Coach amongst many other roles. Simon continues to teach Maths and Geography whilst being Registrar.

Simon Lockyer has been Headmaster of the Royal Hospital School since 2016. He was previously Second Master at Portsmouth Grammar School and before that a Housemaster and Head of Department at Wellington College. He studied Microbiology at the University of Newcastle, completed his PGCE at the University of Cambridge and gained a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Buckingham. He is the son of a Royal Naval officer and was educated at Blundell’s School. His interests include running, kayaking, natural history and island destinations. Simon is married to Abigail, who is Head of Geography at RHS, and they have three children who all attend the school.

Simon began his teaching career in Kingston, Jamaica, teaching French at a girls’ secondary school straight out of university. After two wonderful years, and having survived the baptism of fire and with the teaching bug, he returned to the UK to complete his PGCE. He began his UK career in the New Forest as a teacher of French and German, before moving to London where he has spent the last twenty years, working mainly in inner London state schools, latterly Vice Principal of an academy in Hackney. The last five years have been spent at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington, where he is Deputy Head and Head of the British Section. One of the largest schools in the country, the Lycée offers French, English and bi-lingual curricula through which seven other languages are on offer. Simon feels very at home there.

Siobhan joined Southbank in September 2013. She was born in New Zealand to Irish and English parents and is a passionate reader. She regularly lectures on teacher training and educational leadership courses at university and runs in-service insets for schools. Siobhan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History (University of Canterbury), a Diploma of Teaching (Christchurch College of Education) and a Master’s in Educational Leadership (University of Buckingham).

Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham since 2015, is one of Britain’s leading contemporary historians, educationalists, commentators and political authors. He was a transformative head for 20 years, first of Brighton College and then Wellington College.

After graduating from the University of Oxford with a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages (French) and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Language teaching in 2009, Sophie taught French and Spanish at Cranleigh School in Surrey. Sophie took up a post as a French and Spanish teacher at Ibstock Place School in September 2012, where she still teaches languages, but has also taken on a variety of different roles, such as Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Teacher in Charge of International Applications and, most recently, Executive Director of Admissions and Pathways in September 2022.

Sophie has worked with The Good Schools Guide since 2000 as a writer and an education advisor for both mainstream and special educational needs. Her early career included founding and running a nursery and pre-prep school and providing 1:1 tuition for people affected by specific learning difficulties and ASD. Currently she works part time as an additional support lecturer/tutor with children and adults in an FE College. She has also worked for charity helplines and been involved with research and training projects in both the statutory and voluntary sector. Sophie tells us, “My varied career has given me much experience and insight into today’s educational options and issues across all age ranges and abilities. I live in South London with my husband, two daughters and a dachshund. I enjoy the variety and flexibility of being part of The Good Schools Guide writing and consultancy team.”

Stephanie is currently the Headmistress at Devonshire House Preparatory School in North London and Group Director of Education for three schools which includes Devonshire House and is owned by the Proprietors. Prior to starting at Devonshire House, Stephanie was the Headmistress at Kings House School in Richmond for nine years and worked in one other Prep School as a Deputy Head. Stephanie started her career as a Senior School specialist French and German teacher to A level. Stephanie has been an ISI inspector for seven years and is trained in compliance and academic quality inspections. Stephanie has held Governorships at two independent schools. Membership of Associations: Stephanie is a member of IAPS and ISBA. Personal: Stephanie is married with three grown up children. For the past fifteen years, Stephanie has organised and run teacher training trips to a small region in Rwanda where she and other teachers have trained up to a hundred and fifty teachers on each trip.

Founding Head of Maida Vale School, part of the Gardener Schools Group, since 2019. Previously Deputy Head at Bethany School in Kent which had a dyslexia specialism. Prior to that was Director of Leadership and Outreach at Felsted School in Essex for 10 years.

International Sales and Marketing Director

Susan Godfrey is the Prep School Registrar at Felsted School, a co-educational, boarding and day school for children aged 4-18, in rural north Essex. Susan has a wealth of admissions experience and supports families at all stages of their enquiry and application. Susan manages the admissions process for multiple year groups from Reception to Year 8 and works closely with the Senior School and International Registrars at Felsted.. Susan is passionate about her role and loves welcoming families and their children to Felsted. She brings enthusiasm, commitment and a strong customer focus to her work. Susan is always happy to answer questions and prides herself on communicating clearly, honestly and with integrity. In May 2022 Susan was appointed to the Board of Directors at AMCIS (Association for Admissions, Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools). Before moving to the independent education sector, Susan worked at Xerox Digital Communication and Language Services and has over 15 years of customer management, project management and leadership experience overseeing localisation projects. Outside of work, Susan enjoys health and fitness, singing, making jewellery and macrame.

Susan Hamlyn, director emerita of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants, created and managed for six years the Good Schools Guide's team of expert consultants. Prior to that she was senior editor of The Good Schools Guide for 12 years. She continues to advise on all things educational and family-related in talks to parents and through advising individual clients. Formerly head of English and drama at a London independent school, Susan has been teaching English to children and adults for more than 40 years in schools, colleges and one-to-one. She has been a GCSE and A level English examiner and a school governor. Susan is the writer of numerous books on English at the 11+ level. She has written many other books, stories and poems for children and writes regular journalism for national press on educational matters.

Head Since 2013, Susan McLean BSc, MA (50s). Born and educated in Michigan, USA. Awarded sports scholarship to Central Michigan University, for BSc in special education. Father English, mother Canadian, piquing a lifelong interest in travel. Keen to discover British heritage she crossed the Atlantic for a teaching exchange programme in Winchester. Further academia followed with degrees in elementary education and psychology, plus a masters in administrative leadership. Taught at The American International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, staying on in Saudi to establish the early years and pre-prep British International School. A desire to return to the UK saw her take proprietorial headship of The Old Vicarage, Derby, from 2002-2007. Perpetually seeking new challenges Mrs McLean decided to leave education for the world of business but at the eleventh hour her gambit was halted when the CEO of The Cothill Trust asked her to become headmistress of Kitebrook.

Susan Wijeratna joined Latymer Upper School from Eton College where she was the Lower Master (Senior Deputy Head) for six years. Prior to that she was Deputy Head (Pastoral) at St Paul’s Girls’ School. Her stellar CV reflects her career progression at high profile and internationally renowned schools – co-ed, single sex, day and boarding. As well as the above she has also held positions at Epsom College, Eastbourne College, St Benedict’s and Haberdashers’ Boys’ School. As Chair of Governors at her local state school, St Stephen’s CE Primary School in Shepherds Bush, she has been involved in supporting the education of a diverse group of children in the local area. Her interests span sports (she is a QPR Season ticket holder) and the arts (she is also a Governor and Chair of the Academic Committee at the Royal Ballet School). Before starting her career in education, she read Geography at the University of Birmingham.

Susannah lives in Wimbledon. She read history at the University of York, worked in publishing and as an investment analyst before moving into the education world, first as a mother and then as a teacher. She has spent most of the last twenty-five years working at a prep school in south-west London in various capacities but mainly teaching years 5 and 6 and as a member of the leadership team. She has also worked one-to-one with children to build confidence and to reinforce key skills. Susannah is fascinated by schools, in their almost infinite variety, and has always enjoyed advising parents and helping them navigate the complexities of the English school system both locally and further afield. ‘Working with children and parents is a privilege and the importance of finding the right school for the right child cannot be underestimated.’ She has three adult children (educated at state and independent schools, day and boarding) and two spaniels.

Susie has experience in teaching and leadership across KS1 and KS2. She began teaching at Broomfield House School in 2006, joining the Senior Leadership Team in 2013 and becoming Deputy Head, Pastoral, in 2015. She was appointed Head in September 2019. Susie read for a BEd (Hons) in Education at The College of St Paul and St Mary, Cheltenham. Susie is passionate about providing a bespoke education for all of the children in her care. To ensure that each child’s curriculum matches their requirements drives Susie’s quest to get the best from every child. Susie has been married for 20 years with two children at independent schools. She enjoys walking her dogs and has a particular penchant for poodles!

Suzanne Fearon is the Director of Admissions, Communications and Development at Putney High School GDST. With more than a decade of experience in the sector, Suzanne has an in-depth knowledge of the southwest London education market. She is committed to making the admissions process straightforward and stress-free for parents, and enjoyable for their daughters. Shortlisted for Independent Senior School of the Year in the 2022 TES Awards, Putney High School offers a relevant, forward-thinking education based on an ethos of modern scholarship, with entrepreneurship, oracy and design thinking sitting alongside outstanding co-curricular opportunity.

Suzi Abensur is Head of Admissions at Hall School Wimbledon and during her earlier years as School Secretary, was also a parent at the school. She has worked in education for sixteen years and prior to Hall School Wimbledon, was Ballet Administrator at The Royal Ballet School. Suzi has extensive experience in the independent sector, co-ed and boarding schools. She is passionate about working with families to find the right school for their children.

Twenty years ago, Suzie Longstaff had a successful sporting career as Cox of the British Olympic VIII at Atlanta 1996 and of ‘Goldie’ in the in 1997 and 98 Boat Races. Since then she has been immersed in the world of education and is now Principal of London Park Schools. Suzie’s background in music, economics, computing and sport has provided a rich tapestry of experience on which to draw. Her dynamic and forward-thinking approach to education encourages students to be both innovative and intrepid in their learning. An approach she calls, ‘modern scholarship’ makes learning challenging, fun and relevant, exploring everything from entrepreneurship and oracy to design thinking and AI.

Suzy Dixon, Head of Francis Holland Junior School, has been an educator for 18 years, teaching English up to A level and holding management positions for 15 of those years in Secondary and Primary Schools (3-18). As a keen educationalist, she is dedicated to developing pastoral and academic excellence that enables every individual child to thrive

Ms Tanya Moran is the Headteacher of Abingdon House School and College, a flourishing specialist day school in Marylebone for children with specific learning difficulties, autism, social communication difficulties and other associated needs, aged 5 to 19 years old. Tanya is a Mathematics and Science teacher and specialist in pastoral care and well-being. She began her teaching career overseas and moved to the UK in 2004, joining The Harrodian School as a Head of Year and teacher of Mathematics, before being appointed as Deputy Head Teacher. She was the co-founder and Principal of The Independent School (TIS) near Hammersmith, a mainstream, co-educational, independent secondary school for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, together with those who perform better in a more individualised environment. In 2015, TIS became part of the Cavendish Education Group. Tanya is also a founding member of Thomson House School in Mortlake, where she remains a Trustee and has been a member on the Board of Governors as Vice Chair, Link Governor for SEND and Safeguarding, and Chair of the Education Committee.

Mr Ted Lougher has been Headmaster of King’s College Junior School since September 2021. An accomplished linguist and educationalist by training, Mr Lougher graduated with first class honours in French at the University of Exeter, where he also achieved a qualification in Mandarin, and went on to gain a distinction in his MSc in learning and teaching at Oxford. After success in his role as Director of Upper School at Cheltenham College Preparatory School, he joined King’s College Junior School and took on dual roles as Assistant Head and as the head of modern languages. In 2018 he became Deputy Head (academic) at Clifton College Preparatory School in Bristol, after which he returned to King’s in the role of Headmaster. Mr Lougher is also a keen sports fan and musician, coaching football and cricket at King’s and singing in the Chamber Choir.

Tim joined Kingham Hill in September 2015. Having graduated as a PE teacher (University of Northampton), he has been involved in Learning Support for the past 8 years, holding various SpLD qualifications. He has a passion for supporting young people and enabling them to flourish and reach their potential, both in and out of school. Tim loves all sports and played hockey for Oxford Hawks in the National League for 10 years. Tim is a Housemaster for senior boys and is married with 3 young children.

Tom Arbuthnott is Deputy Head (Partnerships) at Eton College and oversees the school's strategies to widen access to talented boys from diverse backgrounds. He oversees Eton's strong and multiple relationships with state sector schools and the community engagement programme, as well as the annual summer schools and school communications. Tom took degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge universities and worked in Brussels and London for a European Parliament think tank before retraining as a teacher in 2004. From 2010-2016, Tom led an award-winning outreach programme at King Edward's School, Birmingham. An Old Etonian himself, he returned in 2016 as Eton's first Director of Outreach and Partnership and in 2017-18, he served as Chair of the Schools Together Group. Tom is currently leading Eton's collaborative project with Star Academies to establish new state-funded sixth forms in coldspot areas of the Midlands and North. Blog: crosssectorschoolpartnerships.wordpress.com Twitter: @arbuthnotttom

Tom is Head of the Junior School at Cothill with responsibility for Years 4,5 and 6. He is currently overseeing the integration of day boys into the school for the first time in our history and works closely alongside our admissions and marketing teams to ensure this process is successful. Before joining Cothill Tom worked for 11 years at the Dragon School in Oxford where as well as teaching he worked in both admissions and marketing. Tom began his teaching career at Bruern Abbey and has a Masters in Education and his PGCE.

Mr Tom Beardmore-Gray, MA, FCA, graduated from Oxford University in 1983 with a degree in Modern History. After three years with the Metropolitan Police he joined Price Waterhouse and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He went on to work for Pepsi Cola International and spent 15 years with De Beers. In 2010 Tom joined The Girls' Day School Trust where he became Chief Financial Officer. In 2018, he took up his current role as Chief Executive of Prep Schools Trust. Tom was appointed Warden of Bradfield in August 2022. He is also a Director of the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS). Tom was previously Vice President of the University of Reading, Chairman of Governors at Lambrook Prep School and a Trustee of the Pre Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) and the Institute of Business Ethics.

Tom Rogerson has been working in the independent school sector for 31 years and is in his 14th year of Headship at Cottesmore School, an award-winning academic boarding prep school for girls and boys on the border of Surrey and Sussex. Educated at Eton and Cambridge, he has since taken only one year out of teaching in order to work for Vivendi-owned conglomerate Universal Music International in the A&R department looking after American artists such as Eminem, Nelly Furtado and Erica Badu. Tom’s vision for Cottesmore is to combine Cottesmore's 127-year story of academic and sporting excellence with a fresh and dynamic vision to ensure that Cottesmore continues to deliver a future-driven world-class education to prep-school-aged girls and boys.

Trish Watt is Head at Eaton Square Prep School, a co-educational, independent London day school renowned for its academic and extra-curricular strengths. With strong teaching and leadership experience across Early Years, KS1 and KS2, Trish is passionate about fostering a culture of kindness and good manners, in an environment where pupils can fulfil their individual potential. Trish began teaching at Eaton Square Kensington in 2007, before moving into the Deputy Head role and then Head from October 2018. She read English Literature at Brunel University and has a PGCE and NPQH from the Institute of Education. Most recently, she has been championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the school, leading to acclaimed community initiatives and ISA Awards success. Trish has two delightful children, enjoys travelling, hot yoga and spending time with her family.

Former Ireland international rugby player Tyrone Howe joined Shiplake College as Headmaster in September 2019. He started his teaching career at Marlborough College but left to play professional rugby for Ulster, going on to represent Ireland, also touring with the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians. Mr Howe spent five years in industry before returning to education - teaching languages, politics and business, coaching rugby and running a boarding house at Uppingham School in Rutland. Mr Howe is married to Alex, a teacher herself, and they have twins, Hugo and Georgia, and a golden retriever ‘Head Dog’ Simba. He enjoys reading, music and sport and is particularly interested in sports psychology. Since joining Shiplake his exercise of choice has become ‘an ergo’, although is yet to take to the water to attempt to replicate this in a boat, despite repeated invitations from the Director of Rowing. Mr Howe takes his role as Headmaster seriously, but doesn’t take himself too seriously, which may explain why he can be found on YouTube singing a Sea Shanty, channelling Elton John at Christmas, or taking on a starring role as James Bond or Top Gun’s Maverick.

Vicky Bingham joined NLCS in September 2023 as its 10th Headmistress. She has spent her career working in high flying 4-18 girls’ schools and is deeply committed to empowering young women. This is her second headship, having previously led South Hampstead High School GDST for over six years. Prior to that, she was Deputy Head (Academic) at Guildford High School and before that Head of Classics at St Catherine’s School, Bramley. She has a Classics degree from Oxford and a PGCE from Cambridge. She was educated abroad at the European School of Brussels. Vicky has been a governor in settings as varied as a 10,000 strong FE college and a leading boys’ prep school. She currently serves on the Governing Bodies of Harris Academy in Tottenham, Berkhamsted School and The Hall School in Hampstead. As a keen, though frequently injured runner, she is delighted to join a school with such beautiful outdoor space and even a cross-country trail.

Victoria is Head of Admissions at DLD College London, a multi-award-winning senior school opposite Westminster Palace. Prior to this, she worked as an educational consultant for British and international schools in the UK, India and China and she was also Academic Director of ASIS, helping young people to prepare for competitive senior schools and universities. Victoria has a written two books about boarding, which involved visiting more than forty independent schools across the UK. Her latest book was co-authored with Jennifer Ma and was a best seller in Hong Kong and Singapore. She has also sat on Head selection panels for independent schools and helped with curriculum development of international schools, promoting the best of eastern and western approaches to learning. She is a regular speaker at parenting and educational events and is on the team of London’s ‘Work, Life Central’.

A strong strategic thinker with a particular interest in research and how it is used, I have 14 years' experience in advertising and public service broadcasting.

Will Goldsmith has an MA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. He became Acting Head of Bedales in September 2021, having initially joined the school as Deputy Head (Academic), and became Head of Bedales in February 2022. He was previously Director of Teaching and Learning and Head of English at Latymer Upper in West London, which followed teaching in state and independent schools. He says education is about empowering young people to engage with learning on a profound level that they sustain their whole life. He is passionate about diversity and works closely with students in supporting LGBTQ+ rights in school and beyond. He enjoys singing, having spent much of his life in a variety of chamber choirs; he was brought up as the child of expatriate parents in Africa, the Middle and Far East; and he speaks fluent French having lived in Paris for five years after graduating. On Bedales, Will says the willingness to challenge the orthodoxies of education (without necessarily rejecting them), combined with a profoundly communitarian approach and an understanding of the importance of the natural world make it very special indeed.

In his role as an Educational Consultant, William has advised countless families from around the globe on gaining places at leading Independent Schools in the UK. He has been featured in publications including The Times, The Economist and Tatler and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

William joined the Good School’s Guide in 2018 and has reviewed state, independent and boarding schools across the North of England. He is a third generation teacher who grew up in a prep school in Nottinghamshire. With a degree in history from York university and post graduate qualifications from Kingston and Lancaster universities he has worked in the state and boarding sectors for forty years as a teacher and for eighteen years as head of state and international state boarding schools in Lancashire, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. He was a school adviser, consultant head teacher, set up a multi academy trust and has delivered on initial and in-service teacher education as well as school leadership and governance training programmes. He is a trustee on two academy trusts and, with a keen interest in the performing arts, is also a trustee of a major theatre. When not working for the Guide he enjoys walking and gardening and travels as widely as possible. Passionate about discovering how different young people learn he believes his wide experience across a diverse range of schools gives him a good insight into what makes different schools tick and what will and won’t suit different children.

William is the third generation to oversee the daily running of Hill House, one of the biggest, privately owned prep schools in London. Hill House was founded by his grandparents seventy one years ago. William is personally involved in every aspect of school life. This ranges from communicating with parents and managing logistical matters to launching Hill House Online during the pandemic and rolling out Apple technology innovations across the school this autumn. William wholeheartedly believes happy children are successful children. He thinks it is essential that parents come to see for themselves the children in their school environment and he dedicates the start of every day to individual tours. A music scholar, William is active in the extensive musical life of the school while he enjoys performing professionally in this country and internationally. William is married to an opera and theatre designer and together they have a son who is currently studying at Winchester College.