Reports and Thought Leadership

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, Senior Manager, 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

“Why do you write like you’re running out of time?”

By Heather Styche-Patel, CEO

That line from Hamilton the musical plays in my head often. It’s restless and determined, full of urgency and belief in what words can do. Words can persuade, inspire, unsettle or clarify. They can bring order to complexity and light to confusion. For me, that captures something essential about thought leadership. It’s not decoration or performance. It’s an act of service, a way of helping others make sense of a fast-changing world.

When I joined RSAcademics in 2014, my first project was Ten Trends, our seminal piece of thought leadership. It was painstaking work involving interviews, data analysis and months of writing. What struck me most wasn’t the scale of the research but the appetite across the independent schools sector for clarity and context. School leaders wanted evidence, not opinion. They wanted something to hold onto when the ground beneath them was shifting.

That was when I realised how powerful good thought leadership can be. Done well, it serves a sector rather than sells to it. It invites reflection, not reaction. It asks questions that others haven’t yet found the words for.

The phrase “thought leadership” is used often but not always well. For us, it isn’t about declaring a view or amplifying a brand. It’s about thinking and leading, in that order. It’s about doing the research, testing assumptions and sharing insight that others can build on. In our work at RSAcademics, it’s also about responsibility. We serve schools around the world in a sector that is dynamic, complex and, at times, under pressure. In that context, research and writing are not optional extras. They are essential tools for clarity and confidence.

In Hamilton, Alexander writes because he must. He writes to shape ideas, to build understanding, to leave a mark. There is something in that urgency that resonates. We too write because time matters. The challenges facing schools today require careful, timely reflection. Words, when grounded in evidence and empathy, can steady thinking and strengthen decision-making.

Independent schools are navigating extraordinary times. Questions of access, affordability, leadership and identity are pressing. Yet there is also courage, collaboration and creativity everywhere we look. The role of thought leadership is to hold those truths together, to acknowledge the pressures while pointing to the possibilities. It helps leaders see beyond the immediate horizon and gives them tools to plan with perspective.

Writing well about education isn’t just about presenting statistics. It’s about understanding how those numbers play out in the life of a school: how policy changes affect pupils, how demographics influence strategy, how financial trends shape parental choices. The craft lies in connecting data with humanity, evidence with empathy. That balance sits at the heart of how we write at RSAcademics.

We aim to be warm and rigorous, approachable and precise. We listen first. We translate complexity into clarity. And we never forget that behind every data point are people who care deeply about what education makes possible.

Over the years, I’ve seen our research spark new conversations in governing bodies, encourage schools to think differently about strategy and give confidence to leaders making tough choices. That’s the quiet power of thought leadership. It doesn’t shout. It shapes. It helps people see their context differently. It connects colleagues across borders. It gives voice to emerging issues before they become crises. Above all, it reminds us why education matters.

As we look ahead, our commitment to research and insight remains constant. We’ll keep investing in projects large and small, from major international studies to short, sharp pieces of analysis. The questions will change, but the motivation won’t. We write because clarity helps leaders lead better. We write because education deserves thoughtful, evidence-led conversation. We write because in a noisy world, there is still a need for calm, credible insight.

So, why do I write? Because, like Hamilton, I believe words can change what’s possible. Because good research, well told, can move a conversation from fear to foresight. And because when evidence and empathy meet on the page, they can help schools, and the people within them, make sense of the future.

The Art of the Bursar is launched

This major research report, in partnership with ISBA, is the most comprehensive and evidence-based exploration to date of how the Bursar’s role is evolving in independent schools – and what’s needed for those in post to thrive.

The report draws on extensive sector-wide engagement:

300+ survey responses
In-depth interviews with Bursars, Heads and Governors
Group discussions and case studies
Expert insight into leadership, governance and organisational design

What we found is both challenging and encouraging. The role of the Bursar has expanded significantly – now encompassing strategic leadership, operational oversight and risk management. While the pressures are real, so too is the potential for meaningful and lasting impact.

The report presents a clear leadership framework, practical recommendations, and a call to action: if Bursars are to thrive, we need to ensure the right structures, expectations and support are in place.

We’re hugely grateful to everyone who contributed to this project – and to all those who joined us at the launch event for such an energising and thoughtful discussion.

The New Art of Headship

The Changing Landscape of School Leadership

Over the past decade, Heads have found themselves navigating an increasingly complex and demanding environment. Expectations from parents, governors, staff, and pupils alike have evolved — and the role of Headship has evolved with them.

What Defines an Exceptional Head?

The New Art of Headship, published in September 2023, explores this very question. Drawing on extensive RSAcademics research into the attitudes, behaviours, and skills of successful Heads, the report identifies nine key challenges facing school leaders today.

Among these, “unprecedented financial and strategic pressures” stand out as major concerns. Heads also report that parents are becoming more exacting — increasingly focused on “value for money” and more willing to raise issues or formal complaints than in the past.

Who Will Benefit from This Research?

Current Heads – Gain insights to strengthen and refine your leadership practice.
Aspiring Heads – Discover the qualities and approaches that define today’s most effective leaders.
Governors – Use the findings to support, develop, and recruit exceptional Heads.

Access the Report

You can download The New Art of Headship full report free of charge, along with the Executive Summary and a summary poster for display.

Dubai Inspires

In March 2023, RSAcademics organised a tour of Dubai for 8 educational leaders from the UK. We wanted to give them the chance to meet school leaders, to talk to students and teachers and to learn about the culture, systems and structures which underpin the development of schools in Dubai. The purpose was for their experience in Dubai to shape and stimulate their thinking for many years to come. And the name we gave to the whole experience… Dubai Inspires.

The 3 ½ day tour began with a visit to the offices of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to set the scene. Thereafter, we visited 8 more schools for tours, presentations, discussions and Q&A session, travelling from one to the other in a modified yellow school bus. On the last morning we held a symposium in which our UK guests shared their learnings from the week and discussed these with our hosts from the schools and other, invited guests.

If you would like to read a report from each school visit or to find out what our guests learned from the experience, please download the “Dubai Inspires” report for free here.

Upwards and Onwards Report

Strengthening the Board–Principal Partnership: Insights from International School Leaders

Upwards and Onwards is a ground-breaking report from RSAcademics, capturing the experiences and perspectives of 75 Principals from international schools around the world.

It shines a light on what makes the Board–Principal relationship work best, offering practical insights on how Principals can “manage upwards” to build trusting, effective, and positive partnerships with their Boards.

The publication is made up of nine in-depth chapters, each exploring a different theme drawn from our interviews. Every chapter concludes with “Points to consider and things to try” – concise, actionable ideas to support reflection and improve practice.

You can download a copy of the summary and the full report here.

Should you wish to discuss confidentially any topics raised by our report, you can email Keith Clark, Head of International Appointments or Chris Edwards, the author.

Keithclark@rsacademics.com

Chrisedwards@rsacademics.com

Ten Trends – our flagship report for senior leaders

“Ten Trends provides plenty of food for thought for anyone involved in leading a school. It is well-researched and carefully edited. Ten Trends is fantastic PD!”

Gabriel Ernesto Abad Fernández
Head of College, UWC Dilijan College

Ten Trends is the indispensable report published for Governors, Heads and other school leaders.

This second edition of Ten Trends presents data-rich information and analysis of developments and trends in our sector, and is now available to download as a free digital copy.

Managing a school leadership transition report

At any school, a change of Head requires careful management. It typically involves a transition period of at least 9-12 months, from the announcement of a Head’s intention to leave and a replacement taking up the post.

Our research paper Managing a School Leadership Transition draws on interviews conducted with chairs of governors, as well as outgoing and incoming heads. The paper identifies the common challenges that schools experience and highlights recommendations for good practice, as well as flagging potential pitfalls.

“When handled well, the transition between one head and another should be a very positive experience for all concerned.”

The paper presents ten key questions and research for Chairs, Governors and Heads to consider before and throughout a headship transition.

The Art of International School Headship report

We are very pleased to offer a free download of our publication identifying the challenges of international school headship and the qualities needed for effective leadership.

We consulted over 100 leaders of international schools in Asia and the Gulf region to understand the particular challenges faced by those leading international schools and the leadership qualities needed for success.

Our report includes numerous quotes from international school leaders sharing their insights and anecdotes, as well as questions you may want to reflect on and discuss with your team.

The first part of our report looks at the particular challenges faced by international school Heads. We then look at the qualities needed for success. Finally, we look at the importance of the fit of a Head to a school context and the need for candidates and Boards to undertake due diligence to assess this.

We trust you will find it an interesting read which adds to the thinking and development of the international education sector and contributes to its continuing success.

Please share this publication with your colleagues.

Ten Trends 2015 – the original!

Ten Trends 2015: the first study of its kind. From RSAcademics in association with Coutts.

This indispensable report, published for time-pressured Governors, Heads and other school leaders, provides facts, insight and commentary on ten factors and shifts shaping independent education, including:

School leadership and how it is changing
The evolving role of Governors and governance
Teacher recruitment, training and reward
Wellbeing
The state school sector
Edtech
London
Boarding
11+/13+ entry
Affordability

Written by the RSAcademics team and edited by Claire Oulton, Head of Leadership Appointments at RSAcademics, Ten Trends 2015 is compiled from a variety of sources including our own extensive original research, expert interviews and authoritative commentary.

“Ten Trends 2015” is now available as a free digital download.