Category: News and Announcements

We are delighted to have supported Ackworth School with the successful appointment of Amanda McShane as Head of their Junior School, Coram House from September 2025. 

Amanda joins the school from Cumnor House School in Croydon, where she has been Head for the past seven years, overseeing significant growth and success.

Commenting on her appointment, Amanda said: “I am delighted to be returning to the Ackworth family.  It is a privilege to join this wonderful community, and I look forward to building upon existing foundations while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.  Having spent some time with pupils and staff, I can see that Coram House is a truly special place. I am excited to meet more of you in the coming months, and to work together to shape a bright future for the school.” 

You can read more on the Ackworth School website. 

We are delighted to share the news that our founder, Russell Speirs, has chosen to sell RSAcademics to our CEO, Heather Styche-Patel. This strategic transition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for RSAcademics, as we continue to deliver exceptional service and innovation under familiar and trusted leadership.

Commenting on the sale, Russell Speirs said, “It has been a tremendous privilege to lead and grow RSAcademics since its beginnings in 2002. After many fulfilling years at the helm of RSAcademics, with the company strong and well set up for the future, I have decided that now is the time to step away. I am confident that choosing to entrust RSAcademics to Heather ensures continuity and a strong future. Heather has been a brilliant member of the leadership team for 10 years and an outstanding CEO for the last 18 months, making this transition a natural step. I am excited to see how the company continues to thrive under her leadership.”

Expressing confidence about the future, Heather Styche-Patel stated,

“I am honoured to take on the ownership of RSAcademics. Having been part of the leadership team for many years, I have seen the incredible dedication of our team, the loyalty of our clients and the impact of our work in schools and educational organisations worldwide. My focus will remain on delivering excellence, fostering innovation, and maintaining the strong relationships we have built. I look forward to leading RSAcademics into this next phase of growth and success.

RSAcademics will continue to provide the same high-quality services our clients have come to expect. There will be no immediate changes to our operations, and our commitment to our clients remains steadfast. RSAcademics is dedicated to advising schools worldwide by providing expert guidance in leadership appointments, strategic planning, marketing, admissions, and stakeholder research. We are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead in continuing to support schools to achieve their goals.

On behalf of everyone at RSAcademics, we extend our deepest gratitude to Russell for his vision and dedication. His contributions have laid a strong foundation for the company and his impact has been significant across the sector. Everyone at RSAcademics wishes him well as he moves on to new endeavours.”

We are pleased to have supported the search for the new Head of Cokethorpe School, resulting in the successful appointment of Dr Sarah Squire DPhil, MA, PGCE. Sarah will take up the role in September 2025, succeeding Damian Ettinger, who will retire after an exceptional 23 years of leadership.

She will become Cokethorpe’s eighth Head, and first Headmistress.  

On her appointment, Dr Squire said:
“I feel privileged and honoured to be building on Cokethorpe’s strong legacy and am very excited about leading the School into the next chapter of its history.”

You can read more about Sarah’s appointment on Cokethorpe’s website. 

We are delighted to have supported the Bedales School team with the successful appointment of Clare Kirkham as the new Head of Bedales Prep. Clare will join Bedales from 1 April 2025. 

Clare is currently Head of Junior School at Downsend, where she has been in post since 2017. 

Clare Kirkham said: “I am hugely excited to be joining Bedales as the new Head of Prep. I am excited to meet more members of the Bedales community this term, and to begin working in earnest in the Summer term to lead the Prep School with ‘head, hand and heart’.” 

Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Clare to Bedales as our new Head of Prep following such a rigorous recruitment process. We have been impressed by Clare’s deep affinity with the Bedales ethos and her enthusiasm for engaging with our community.  We look forward to working with Clare as we build on the strong legacy left by Colin Baty, whose leadership has been so valued, and we wish him all the best in his new headship.”   

We would like to wish Clare and the school every success with the new appointment. 

We are thrilled to have supported St Helen and St Katherine with the appointment of their new Head, Sarah Rollings. 

Sarah will join the school in Autumn 2025, following the retirement of Rebecca Dougall in Summer 2025. 

Sarah has been Headmistress of Heathfield School Ascot, a senior girls’ school in Berkshire, since 2021. She holds a first-class degree from Brunel University in Secondary Education with Geography and Physical Education as well as an MA in Educational Leadership and Management. She has also completed an Executive Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. She previously served as Director of Sport at Helen and St Katharine from 2011–2017 and brings with her great experience and love of the School.

Chair of Governors, Sara Benbow commented that ‘St Helen and St Katharine has been extremely fortunate to have been led by a series of brilliant and inspiring women. We are delighted that in Sarah Rollings we have found not just a worthy successor to her illustrious predecessors, but someone with vision, dynamism and a passionate commitment to all aspects of girls’ education who will build on everything they achieved and take the School to even greater heights.’

We are delighted to announce, following a successful recruitment process supported by RSAcademics, Jonathan Anderson has been appointed as Head of Campbell College.

He will take up his post in September 2025, following the retirement of current Head, Robert Robinson who leaves Campbell at the end of this academic year.

Jonathan joins Campbell College from Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, where he has been Head for seven years. He brings a wealth of experience from a range of highly regarded schools, including Worksop College in Nottinghamshire and Christ’s Hospital School in West Sussex. 

Commenting on his appointment, Jonathan said:

“I am excited to build on the outstanding work of Robert Robinson and look forward to working with the staff, students and wider Campbell community to shape the next chapter in the School’s history.”

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

We are delighted to have supported Bradfield College in appointing Jeremy Quartermain as their next Head from September 2025.

Jeremy joins Bradfield from Rossall in Lancashire, where he has been Head since 2018. Jeremy has been an outstanding success in his current position, and the pupil roll has increased very significantly in recent years. Similarly, academic outcomes at Rossall have improved markedly during his tenure. Prior to Rossall, Jeremy was Deputy Head (Academic) at Brentwood School in Essex (2013-18) and Head of Sixth Form at Gresham’s in Norfolk (2010-13).

During a rigorous selection process, Bradfield College Council was extremely impressed by Jeremy’s passion for education and the range of skills and qualities he will bring to the position of Head of Bradfield. 

Speaking about his appointment, Jeremy said: ‘I am delighted to have been appointed the next Head of Bradfield, and I am committed to building upon Chris Stevens’ superb legacy. As a family, we are incredibly excited by the prospect of joining such an outstanding community. Bradfield is an extraordinary school, and it has been an absolute joy to see children thriving in all aspects of their lives. Everyone whom I met throughout the interview process expressed an enormous sense of pride in Bradfield. It is a vibrant and caring school with real ambition and heart.’

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

A comprehensive webinar series for leaders in independent schools 

Are you ready to tackle the challenges of independent school leadership in today’s ever-changing educational landscape? RSAcademics presents “Future-focused schools,” a webinar series designed to empower school leaders with actionable strategies for growth. 

This six-part series is designed to deliver practical advice and insights to help you address today’s challenges and secure your school’s future. The six sessions are: 

1. Leading through change: Strategic HR for independent schools  

2. Making a lasting impression: Admissions excellence – from interest to enrolment  

3. Crafting your school’s marketing blueprint: Strategies for success 

4. Fostering inclusivity: Marketing to a diverse audience  

5. Maximising alumni engagement to diversify income streams 
6. Standing out in a crowded market: Mastering brand identity  

Why should you attend? 
Gain expert knowledge from experienced presenters and leave with practical tools you can implement immediately. Whether you are a Head of School, Director of Marketing, Admissions, Development, or HR, this series is designed to support your success. 

How much is it to sign up? 
To attend the whole series costs just £495 + VAT.  This gives you up to two places per school for each webinar.  You can also sign up to single sessions or add more delegates to a session for £95 + VAT per delegate. 

Places are limited to ensure an engaging, interactive experience for all attendees. 

Join us for 60 minutes each session, throughout January and February, ​​​​to gain fresh perspectives. 

Register now

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.