Category: News and Announcements

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. 

Following a long and challenging process, with an excellent list of interested candidates, we are delighted to announce that Andrew Ward has been appointed as the new Head of Halstead St Andrew’s.

Andrew is currently Head of Merstham Park School near Reigate, where he has been in post for 4 years. He has held leadership positions for 16 years.

Andrew will take up post in September 2024 and we wish him every success in his new role.

We are delighted to have supported schools, both UK and internationally, with recruitment to the following posts for 2023/2024 starts. We wish the schools and the new postholders every success with their new appointments.

View all of our recent appointments. 

Find out more about our appointments services.

We are pleased to have supported The Stephen Perse Foundation with the appointment of their Chair of Governors, Michael Windmill.

Michael is founder and director of Kaze Consulting. He previously held senior strategy and operational positions with multiple FTSE 250 organisations, Central Government departments and defence industry. Michael is an alumnus of The University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London.

Johan Jensen, Director of All-in Education, recently led a webinar for newly appointed Heads considering launching their school’s EDI journey.

Key insights from the webinar included:

• How is inclusion created?
• How to launch your School’s EDI journey
• How All-in Education can support your School​​​​​​

You can watch a short video of these insights below.

We are pleased to announce that, following a robust recruitment process led by RSAcademics, Robin Sharp has been appointed to the post of Director of Development at Wycombe Abbey and will lead the Development and Seniors’ Office, overseeing their fundraising and alumnae engagement activities.

Robin is an alumna of the Emma Willard School, Denison University, and George Washington University. She was also awarded an MA from the University of Oxford. Robin is a Trustee of The Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) and has worked in independent school and university philanthropy for almost 25 years. She began her development career at the Madeira School, a girls’ day and boarding school in the Washington DC area. After almost 20 years working in higher education, she previously held fundraising leadership positions at Trinity College Cambridge, Brasenose College Oxford, University of Southampton, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Aberdeen. Robin returned to the independent school sector in 2022 as Director of Development at Bradford Grammar School.

You can read more about Robin’s appointment on the Wycombe Abbey website

Su Wijeratna, Head at Latymer Upper School talks to Johan Jensen from All-in Education about her career, the challenges she has faced and her advice for other female leaders.

Register for the event