News and Announcements

New Deputy Head for Bosworth Independent School: Olivia Powell

We are pleased to have supported Bosworth Independent School with the appointment of Olivia Powell as their new Deputy Head.

Olivia will join the School in Summer 2026. Olivia is a former pupil at Bosworth, having been awarded an academic scholarship to study her A-Levels.

Speaking on her appointment, Olivia said:

“This is a very special move for me. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead such an experienced, dedicated and kind staff body. I know the community is filled with expertise, care and wonderful students, and I look forward to building on the school’s success together.”

We would like to wish Olivia and the School every success.

New Head for Ravenscourt Park Prep: Tim Smith

We are delighted to have supported Ravenscourt Park Prep with the appointment of their new Headteacher, Tim Smith.

Tim will join the school in September 2026 from Hampton Prep School, where he is currently Headmaster.

Speaking on his appointment, the School said:

“Mr Smith impressed directors and governors with his clear educational vision, strong alignment with the school’s ethos and his natural rapport with both pupils and staff.”

We would like to wish Tim and the School every success.

New COO for St Mary’s Calne: Colonel Ross Cleland

We are pleased to have supported St Mary’s Calne with the appointment of their new Chief Operating Officer, Colonel Ross Cleland.

Ross will join the school in Spring 2026 and will be responsible for key operational areas including finance, estates, HR, health and safety and commercial activities.

Speaking on his appointment, Ross said: ‘I am deeply honoured to have been selected by the Head and Board of Governors to be the Chief Operating Officer at St Mary’s Calne and St Margaret’s Prep. Visiting the schools and meeting the team through the selection process, it was clear why parents say Calne is such a special place and I was immediately drawn to the warm, inclusive, welcoming environment and the personal values-based approach to the development of pupils. I am genuinely excited to join such a high performing team and really looking forward to serving the pupils, parents, staff and Governors of Calne, and playing a part in the development of such brilliant young people.’

We would like to wish Ross and the school every success.

New Chief Executive of GSA: Jeanette Cochrane

We are pleased to have supported The Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) with the successful appointment of Jeanette Cochrane as its next Chief Executive.

Jeanette was formerly a headteacher and executive leader, and she brings her wide-ranging education experience to the role.

Speaking on her appointment, Jeanette says: “It’s an honour to join the Girls’ Schools Association as its new CEO and to lead such an exceptional network of Heads who champion girls, every day. This position has given me the opportunity to focus entirely on what I care about most – empowering girls and young women, and supporting the educational leaders who help them rise. Having spent my whole career in education, I’m proud to be part of an Association that stands for opportunity, aspiration, and the enduring power of girls-only education. I am excited to build upon Donna’s strong legacy with energy, purpose, and optimism to shape an equally brilliant future.”

Jeanette will formally start in post at the start of 2026, taking over from outgoing Chief Executive, Donna Stevens, who has led the GSA for five years.

Independent Schools Leadership Forum 2026: Programme

We are pleased to announce the programme for our upcoming Independent Schools Leadership Forum on Tuesday 24 February 2026 at Grant Thornton, Finsbury Circus

Time	Session	Speakers
9.30 - 10.00	Arrival & Networking Coffee
10.00 - 10.10	Welcome	RSAcademics: Heather Styche-Patel, CEO
10.10 - 10.50	Panel: The New Operating Reality for Independent Schools This opening panel will explore the current operating environment for independent schools, focusing on the financial, legal and structural realities shaping decision making today. Drawing on expertise in corporate finance, VAT, charity law and transactions, the session will consider how schools can respond to pressure with clarity, resilience and sound governance.	Grant Thornton: Andrew Frame, Partner, Corporate Finance Daniel Crumpton, Associate Director, Corporate Finance Robbie Smith, Associate Director, Corporate Finance (M&A) Withers: Alison Paines, Consultant, Charities Team Phil Reed , Partner, Charities and Philanthropy Team RSAcademics: Richard Backhouse, Head Designate of UK Appointments Martin Collier, Senior Advisor
10.55 - 11.25	Breakout Sessions
	- Consolidation in the sector, including employment law implications Considering the law and best practice around school mergers and similar transactions, including from an employment point of view in light of recent legislative developments.	Withers: Chris Priestley , Partner, Charities and Philanthropy Team Hugh More, Partner, Employment Team
	- VAT and the Next Steps: Now that the changes in VAT have been in place for a year – what does this mean? This session will cover VAT issues that have arisen, particularly the Capital Goods Scheme and fee pre-payments as well as a look to the future with e-invoicing and how to become tech-enabled and cost saving.	Grant Thornton: Irena Scullion, Indirect Tax Director

11.30 - 11.50	Coffee & Networking
11.50 - 12.30	Keynote: Millennial Parents & The New Value Narrative: Drawing on RSAcademics’ research into Millennial Parents, this session will explore how parental expectations of independent schools are evolving. It will consider what this means in practice for school leadership, governance and engagement, and how schools can respond in ways that are both authentic and sustainable.	RSAcademics: Heather Styche-Patel, CEO
12.30 - 13.30	Lunch & Networking
13.30 - 14.00	Keynote: Governance Under Pressure: Trustees’ duties, accountability and board effectiveness.	RSAcademics: Durell Barnes, Head of Governance Withers: Alison Paines, Consultant, Charities Team
14.05 - 14.35	Breakout Sessions
	- Funding the Mission – philanthropy, legacies and stewardship Exploring, from a legal perspective, how to maximise the flexibility and effectiveness of your donor fundraising.	Withers: Phil Reed, Partner, Charities and Philanthropy Team
	- Leadership in a Shifting Landscape Drawing on RSAcademics’ research into leadership across independent schools, this session will explore how the nature of leadership is evolving in response to financial pressure, changing expectations and increased complexity. It will consider what effective leadership looks like in practice today and how leaders can create clarity, resilience and shared responsibility across their organisations.	RSAcademics: Claire Oulton, Head of UK Leadership Appointments Richard Backhouse, Head Designate of UK Appointments

14.40 - 15.15	Keynote: Beyond Cost Cutting: Strategic Restructuring for a Viable Future Independent schools face tough choices. From managing stakeholders and raising finance to site consolidation, mergers, asset realisation and even school sales - this session explores practical strategies to secure long term resilience.	Grant Thornton: Alistair Wardell, Partner, Restructuring RSAcademics: Kate Perceval Senior Advisor
15.15 - 16.00	Panel: The Futures Lab Setting the Priorities for 2026 to 2030 This final session will provide space to step back and reflect on the themes explored during the day. Through a guided discussion with panellists and delegates, the focus will be on exploring plausible developments and sensible planning assumptions, rather than predictions - helping leaders think calmly and constructively about the future.	Grant Thornton: Andrew Frame, Partner, Corporate Finance, Alistair Wardell, Partner, Restructuring Withers: Phil Reed, Partner, Charities and Philanthropy Team, Richard Cassell, Chair of Governors, St Paul's School, and Of Counsel at Withers RSAcademics: Martin Collier, Senior Advisor Durell Barnes, Head of Governance Heather Styche-Patel, CEO
16.00	Networking Drinks

New Headteacher for De La Salle College, Jersey: Nick Belcher

After a ‘rigorous and inspiring selection process’, we are delighted to have supported De La Salle College, Jersey with the successful appointment of Nick Belcher as their new Headteacher. Nick will take up the role in September 2026.

Nick will join the College at an exciting point as they move to a fully-integrated, 3-18 school.

Nick is currently Headteacher at The School at Park City, Kuala Lumpur and has previously worked at schools in Singapore, Bahrain, China and the UK.

We would like to wish Nick and the College every success.

New Head for Gayhurst School: Amanda McKnight

We are pleased to announce that, following a robust recruitment process supported by RSAcademics, Gayhurst School have announced the appointment of their first female head.

Amanda McKnight will join the Gayhurst Community in September 2026.

We would like to wish Amanda and the School every success with the appointment.

New Head for King’s College Taunton: Benjamin Evans

Following a successful search process led by RSAcademics, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Benjamin Evans as the new Head at King’s College. Benjamin will start his role in September 2026.

Benjamin is currently Deputy Head (Academic) at Wellington College and brings with him a wealth of experience, including six years in Australia as Director of Teaching and Learning at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide.

Benjamin gained his degree from Durham and a PGCE from Cambridge and has previously taught at Oundle, Shrewsbury, and Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School

We would like to wish Benjamin and the School every success.

New Head for Ballard School: Stuart Turner

We are pleased to have supported the Governors of Ballard School with the successful appointment of their new Head. Following a rigorous recruitment process, Stuart Turner has been appointed as the new Head of Ballard School, with effect from 15th April 2026.

Stuart is currently Deputy Head at Emanuel School in South London.

Independent Schools Leadership Forum 2026

Tuesday 24 February 10.00 – 16.00

Tailored for Independent School Heads, Governors and Bursars

View the programme

The Independent Schools Leadership Forum 2026 will bring together Heads, Governors and Bursars for a day of forward-looking discussion shaped by the combined expertise of RSAcademics, Grant Thornton and Withers. This partnership offers a perspective that few other sector events can match.

RSAcademics supports schools through leadership appointments, strategic consultancy and research that informs confident decision-making and strengthens school culture. Grant Thornton adds practical guidance drawn from its work with education clients across the UK, across advisory services including mergers and acquisitions and tax. Withers brings recognised authority in governance, charity regulation and the legal issues that influence strategic decisions in schools.

The programme will explore the pressures and opportunities now shaping the independent school environment, including changing regulatory demands, shifts in parental expectations and the financial realities that leaders are working through.

Breakout sessions will provide space for delegates to focus on topics such as support with banking and business models, VAT in practice, donor engagement or leadership in a more uncertain landscape. The day will close with a collaborative futures session that invites participants to consider priorities for the years ahead.

Time for discussion and reflection is threaded throughout the event so that leaders can share insights and compare approaches with peers who are facing similar choices.

Places are limited and reserved for representatives of independent schools.

About the Event

You are invited to arrive for coffee from 9.30am and the event will start at 10.00am. There will be opportunities to network throughout the day, and the day will end at 4.00pm with a drinks reception. The Forum will take place at Grant Thornton’s Office, Finsbury Circus.

Book Your Place

Secure your place now for the Independent Schools Leadership Forum 2026. With places strictly limited and reserved exclusively for representatives of independent schools, early booking is strongly advised.

Tickets are priced at £120 including VAT, and booking is available via TryBooking. Join us for a day of strategic insight, expert guidance and meaningful discussion alongside peers from across the sector—book today to ensure your school is part of this important conversation.