Category: Appointments

We are delighted to have supported Shrewsbury School with the appointment of Dr Nick Dodd as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Clerk to the Governors.

Nick is currently COO and Clerk to the Governors at Bryanston School, an all-through 3-18 independent boarding and day school in Dorset.  Before taking on this post nearly five years ago, Nick worked in retail and logistics, most recently in a senior role at John Lewis and Partners.  Prior to that, Nick worked in the Department of Psychology at the University of Liverpool, whilst studying for his doctorate. 

He will join Shrewsbury School leadership team from the Summer Term 2025 and we would like to wish him every success with his new role. 

We are delighted to have supported Sherborne School with the appointment of Simon Heard as their new Head. Simon will take up his new post in September 2025.

Simon is currently Deputy Master at Haileybury and has worked at a number of boarding and day schools in the UK. Prior to his career in education, he spent time in the Royal Marines and the Ministry of Defence. Simon holds a Joint Honours Degree in French and Russian from Exeter University and is currently completing a Master of Studies Degree in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge.

Simon is a keen cross-country runner and downhill skier, who has represented Britain in biathlon and cross-country skiing and was British Champion in 2005. He also has a love of classical French and historical literature and enjoys walking, cycling and kayaking.

On his appointment, Simon said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be offered this opportunity at such a significant moment in the long history of Sherborne School.”

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Simon well for this exciting new appointment.

We are delighted to have supported Leighton Park School with the appointment of Luke Walters as Head from 1st September 2025.

Luke joins Leighton Park with a remarkable track record of success from Christ’s Hospital, where he has been Deputy Head since 2019. Luke has been instrumental in driving staff and academic standards at Christ’s Hospital, a school that has a focus on values and personalised learning in an inclusive and kind community.

He was previously part of the senior team at Ardingly College, where he was also a Housemaster. Prior to that, Luke worked at Marlborough College Malaysia as a Housemaster and Reading Blue Coat as Head of English. He gained his undergraduate degree from Exeter University, before later completing a Master’s in Shakespeare at Royal Holloway. 

Luke said: “I  am hugely excited to be joining Leighton Park School as Head. Leighton Park is an exceptional community of talented individuals, inspired to imagine a better world. As I step into the role, with such a superb foundation to build upon, I am committed to fostering an environment where kindness, compassion, and a holistic approach to learning are as vital as academic excellence. By nurturing both the hearts and minds of our students, we will ensure they not only succeed in their studies but also grow into thoughtful, resilient individuals, ready to make a positive impact on the world.”

Eme Dean-Lewis, Chair of Governors, said: “I am confident that Luke is the ideal person to lead Leighton Park into its next chapter. Luke stood out in a remarkably strong field of applicants, his proven track record of achieving outstanding results over time at his previous schools speaks to his ability. What makes Leighton Park truly remarkable is not just its academic success, but the unwavering dedication of its staff, the unique atmosphere of calm, and the inspiring way it encourages each student to thrive authentically, as themselves.”

We wish Luke every success in his new role. 

We are delighted to have supported King’s Bruton with the appointment of Matt Radley as their new Headmaster from September 2025. Matt was appointed from and extremely strong field of over 40 candidates. Matt is currently Second Master at Blundell’s School in Devon, a premier co-ed boarding and day school in Devon, with an outstanding reputation for its pastoral care and academic standards. 

Prior to Blundell’s, Matt was at Haileybury where he gained valuable experience, initially as Head of Department and then as a Housemaster. Matt is a graduate of Modern History from Lincoln College Oxford, has a Master’s in Education from Cambridge, and spent 6 years in banking before moving into the education sector. Matt is also a talented sportsman and a keen coach who loves to develop pupils’ talents in rugby, athletics and hockey.

Senior Warden, Stephen Edlmann said of the appointment, “Matt stood out due to his passion for the welfare and education of children and his clear alignment with the values and ethos which lie at the heart of King’s.”

We would like to wish Matt every success in his new role.

We are thrilled to have supported Leicester Grammar School with the exciting appointment of Dr Graham Purves as Headmaster of Leicester Grammar School and Principal of Leicester Grammar School Trust from September 2025. 

Graham is currently Head of Senior School and Vice Principal at The Grammar School at Leeds, one of the largest HMC schools and Sunday Times’ North Independent School of the Year 2024. Graham was also a member of the Senior Leadership Teams at two other HMC schools, Portsmouth Grammar School and King Edward VI School Southampton, prior to joining The Grammar School at Leeds five years ago. Graham is an ISI Team Inspector and a member of the Governing Body at another HMC school.

Graham attended RGS Newcastle on an Assisted Place, before reading Physics at Christ Church, Oxford. After a short interval working in industry and medical physics, Graham returned to academia to study for a PhD in Atomic Physics at Durham University, before completing his PGCE at Southampton University.

Steven Gasztowicz KC, Chairman of Leicester Grammar School Trust, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Graham Purves to succeed John Watson. We knew we needed an exceptional leader to build on what he has achieved in his outstanding six-year tenure and feel certain that Graham is a worthy successor, with the right combination of vision, passion and commitment to take the Trust from strength to strength”

We would like to wish Graham every success in his new role.

You can view the school’s announcement post on LinkedIn here

Following a rigorous and competitive recruitment process, led by RSAcademics, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Holman, currently Headmaster of Wellingborough School, as the new Head of Nottingham High School. 

Andrew is a Maths graduate, having studied at Cambridge University, and also holds a Master’s in Education. He began his teaching career 30 years ago at the King’s School, Chester, before moving to Nottingham High in 1998, where he stayed for seven years as a Maths teacher and Head of Year 7. Further moves took him to QEGS Blackburn as Head of Maths, and then onto Deputy Headship at Hymers College in Hull.

Following the appointment, Nottingham High’s Chair of Governors, Steve Banks, said “We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to appoint Andrew as our new Head. He greatly impressed the panel of Governors, and we believe that he is absolutely the right person to lead the School into its next phase.”

We would like to wish Andrew all the best in his new role.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Daniel Gabriele, Deputy Principal of Caterham School, as the new Head of Colfe’s. Daniel’s appointment follows a robust recruitment process, led by RSAcademics. 

Dan will take up the position from September 2025 following the retirement of the current Head, Richard Russell.

Dan read History and English at Oxford before going on to teach at Latymer Upper, Eton and Brighton College, first as Head of English and then as Director of Sixth Form. Dan is currently Principal Deputy Head of Caterham School.

As well as teaching English, Dan has been involved in a wide range of school activity beyond the classroom, particularly directing plays, leading cultural trips overseas and taking cricket and football sides. His current role at Caterham has seen him lead on academic and post-18 strategy, pastoral care and the co-curricular offer.

Dan is married to Izzy, who is a drama teacher, and has two sons – George, who is thirteen, and Bert, who is three. Commenting on his appointment Dan Gabriele said:

“I am thrilled at the prospect of leading Colfe’s at this exciting time in its progress. The school was founded to transform the lives of local children, and that core purpose remains as important now as ever, embracing academic and co-curricular experience and achievement alongside the skills young people will need to flourish not just at university but in the wider world beyond.”

Matthew Pellereau, Chair of Governors said “The Governing Board was determined to find an outstanding successor to build upon Richard Russell’s excellent legacy. We believe that Dan is firmly aligned with the ethos, values, and culture of Colfe’s and his significant strategic and professional experience is best placed to lead us through the next exciting phase in our development.”

We would like to wish Dan all the best in his new role.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Judd as the Head of Christ’s Hospital from September 2025. Matthew’s appointment follows a robust recruitment process, led by RSAcademics. 

The role generated a lot of interest and the appointment panel was able to select from a field of very strong candidates. Matthew has been Head of Leighton Park since 2018 and was previously Second Master and Head of the Prep and Pre-Prep Schools at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School and Principal at Mander Portman Woodward.  He has a BA in Geography from the University of Wales, Swansea and a PGCE from Queen’s College, Cambridge. 

Speaking on the announcement of his appointment, Matthew said: “I am honoured and thrilled to be appointed as Head of Christ’s Hospital. I first visited the school as a local boy from Crawley around 30 years ago; its mission has always resonated with me both professionally and personally.  The wealth of opportunity and the deep sense of pride in being part of such a diverse and vibrant school community was very obvious to me when I visited before my interview. I am delighted and inspired to be invited to lead a school with such a proud history and contemporary outlook.

Looking to the future, I will be moving onsite with my husband Ian over the summer holiday in 2025 and look forward to getting to know the staff, students, parents, governors and Old Blues in the months that follow.” 

 We wish Matthew every success in his new role.  

We are delighted to announce the appointment of  Dominic Oliver as the Head of Oundle School from September 2025. Dominic was an outstanding candidate from an extremely strong field of applicants and has a wealth of strategic leadership and boarding experience.  

 Dominic has been Head Master of Lancing College, a co-educational boarding and day school in West Sussex, since 2014. Before joining the Lancing Family of Schools, he spent four years as Managing Head of Bedales School, prior to which he was Head of English and Head of Academic Development at Malvern College. He holds an MPhil in English from St Peter’s College Oxford, where he became a Lecturer and member of the University of Oxford English Faculty, with a specialism in Shakespeare. He is married to Lydia and together they have two children, both of whom are now undergraduates at university. 

Dominic shared these reflections on his appointment: “Oundle is a byword for all that is excellent in boarding education. I have long been an admirer of the School and it is a huge honour to be selected to take up the role of Head from September 2025. Oundle’s special combination of determined aspiration, the warmth of its community and complete commitment to enabling each pupil to thrive is an exhilarating prospect. I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to lead the school into its next phase.” 

 We wish Dominic every success in his new role.  

Following a rigorous recruitment process, led by RSAcademics, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Battison as next Head of Wellington School.

Alex has been Senior Deputy Head at the prestigious Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire since 2018 and has extensive strategic development experience, as well as an impressive academic and pastoral leadership background.

Alex has a BSc (Hons) and PGCE from the University of Wales, Cardiff, a Masters from Oxford University in Learning and Teaching and is currently working towards the latter stages of his Doctorate in Leadership, Learning and Policy at Bristol University which he will complete this Summer.

Prior to Lord Wandsworth, Alex led the teaching and learning as Assistant Head at Wells Cathedral School and previously as Director of Learning and Innovation, as well as Assistant Houseparent and Head of Sports Science at Hurstpierpoint College in Sussex. He also has over 15 years experience in boarding houses.

Anna Govey, Chair of Governors of Wellington School, stated: “I am confident that we have found an outstanding leader with exceptional experience, breadth of knowledge and an impressive academic pedigree who will take Wellington School successfully into the future. Alex showed an immediate affinity with our culture and ethos as well as enormous energy and passion for the possibilities that being part of the Wellington community will offer him.”

Alex said: “I am thrilled to have been entrusted to help lead such a wonderful community in the next stage of its journey and build on the many successes and achievements in recent years. I am particularly looking forward to getting to know students, staff, parents and alumni over the months ahead, and collaborate to further inspire the remarkable education that goes on here. My family and I are also very much looking forward to returning to the South West and settling in this Summer”.

Alex will be taking up his position in September 2024 and we wish him every success with his new role.