We are known for our pioneering and influential research reports

RSAcademics has worked with more than 700 schools and education organisations in the UK and around the world. Our pioneering research studies help us to deepen our understanding of the schools’ sector and to strengthen our relationships among our extensive network of decision-makers, in the UK and around the world. Our reports, which can be downloaded for free in this section of our website, include:

  • The New Art of Headship 2023, a study of how school leadership is changing in the UK independent schools sector, which skills are needed more than before, and what this all means for the selection, support and development of Heads. This report is an update of our original “The Art of Headship” research which was completed in 2013.
  • Upwards and Onwards is a report about how Heads can better manage upwards and improve their working relationship with the Board of Governors/Directors
  • The Art of International School Headship: a deep dive into the additional challenges and complexities that international school leaders face compared with their peers in “domestic” schools
  • Ten Trends, an assessment of the factors shaping independent education in the UK, produced in association with Coutts

September 2023

The New Art of Headship

Our latest research into the new challenges facing independent school Heads and how they can address them

The New Art of Headship

August 2023

Governors' Update

This free termly update is filled with high-quality executive summaries of key information for Governors.

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March 2023

Dubai Inspires

A learning tour of Dubai schools for UK Heads and Principals

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January 2023

Upwards and Onwards

School leaders’ perspectives on how to improve the Board/Principal relationship

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September 2019

How and why families choose schools in Dubai

In 2019 we conducted a research study in Dubai to understand why and how families choose schools in this dynamic, competitive private schools market.

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2018

Managing a school leadership transition

Ten key questions and research insights for Chairs, Governors and Heads to consider before and throughout a headship transition.

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2018

Leading an international school in China

Research into the features of international schools in China and the range and type of school leadership roles.

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2017/18

Ten Trends

This most-recent edition of Ten Trends presents data-rich information and analysis of the latest developments and trends in our sector.

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2017/18

What drives parental satisfaction?

Drawing on aggregated data from SchoolPulse parental satisfaction surveys completed by 16,000 independent school parents, this 28-page research paper is an extract from Ten Trends.

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2016

The art of headship

Findings from research into the attitudes, qualities, actions and skills of effective Heads of independent schools.

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2016

The art of international school headship

Insightful research identifying the challenges of international school headship and the qualities needed for effective leadership, based on interviews with more than 100 leaders of international schools in Asia and the Gulf region.

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2015

Ten Trends

Ten Trends 2015 is the ground-breaking research report produced in association with Coutts, providing facts, insight and commentary on ten factors and trends that shaped independent education.

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