Schools and Educational Organisations

Perrett Laver is a market-leading executive search firm serving the schools and education sector globally. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and opportunities, and our work across this sector is driven by deep commitment to connecting our clients with truly exceptional leaders.

Our Schools and Education Organisations Practice is intentionally broad and we seek to serve the sector as a whole, utilising our knowledge, expertise and networks to add considerable value in a variety of contexts.

Our clients range from leading independent schools to high performing and aspirational academies, new and growing multi-academy trusts to international schools, global schools groups to national and international educational bodies of all types.

We established our Practice to respond to some of the challenges in the way the sector has traditionally appointed its leaders. We are intentionally different and we strive to add value in a number of different ways. A commitment to creative, rigorous research, compelling, nuanced advocacy, exceptional process and first-class candidate care are all hallmarks of Perrett Laver’s approach.

Where We Can help

Independent School Head Appointments

Perrett Laver has deep experience of the UK independent education and has a strong reputation as a leading firm serving the sector. We have successfully advised a wide range of boarding, day, co-educational, single sex, urban and rural independent schools on Head and Principal appointments.

Perrett Laver’s success rate in advising on such appointments is 100%. This distinguishes our firm in the market and we are proud of the positive impact the individuals we help to appoint are able to make in post. We track this through a systematic programme of client and candidate relationship management and are frequently asked by previous clients and placed candidates to advise on other posts. Every year, over 50% of our work is repeat business with longstanding partner clients.

Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory Head Appointments

Perrett Laver work extensively across the preparatory and pre-preparatory sectors and have advised many of the country’s leading schools on Head appointments.

We have also developed a particular expertise in advising ‘tied’ prep schools on Head appointments. The context for such appointments and the skills and experiences required in these posts are often very different.

Academy and Maintained Sector Head Appointments

Over the last five years, we have become a leading firm serving the academy and state sectors. We have advised a large number of school trusts, and standalone academies and maintained schools on Head and Principal appointments. We are committed to working with organisations where exceptional leadership can have a truly transformative impact and we have advised academies and maintained schools on all stages of their school improvement journeys.

International Schools Head Appointments

Perrett Laver’s work with both international schools and leading schools across the world is a significant part of our Practice. As a global firm, our clients are based all over the world and we are accustomed to attracting and managing diverse, international candidate fields.

As the international schools sector has expanded, we have developed particular expertise in advising UK independent schools on the appointments of Heads and other senior leaders for international franchises. Outside of the British curriculum sector, we partner with leading schools around the world on Head appointments.

Other Senior Leadership Roles

In addition to our significant work advising on Head appointments, we also have a strong track record of supporting client schools with appointments to a wide range of other senior leadership posts.

We have particular expertise in handling Deputy Head searches and in many cases have supported our clients through significant senior leadership restructures. Alongside our Deputy Head work, we also have a strong track record in advising on the appointment of Bursars, Chief Operating Officers or equivalent. Our other areas of specialism lie in the appointment of HR Directors, Development Directors, Admissions and Marketing Directors and Safeguarding Directors for numerous schools.

Who to talk to

Recent Schools and Education Organisations Clients

Recent Schools and Education Organisations Appointments

Appointment of Head to succeed Christian Pritchard from September 2023

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Governors announce the appointment of Simone Mitchell as the 9th Head of Beachborough School from September 2023. Beachborough will be Simone’s second Headship, as she will join from Swanbourne House School, one of the two Preparatory Schools within the Stowe Group, where she has been instrumental in growth and development under the new banner. Simone qualified as an English teacher in 1996 from Exeter University and has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham. She has been an External Tutor for the University and, has lectured on their PGCE…

NLCS Dubai warmly welcome Mr. Jonathan Locke as their new

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) Dubai is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Locke as the new Principal, effective September 2023, following the highly successful tenure of James Monaghan. This transition marks an exciting chapter for the school as it continues its commitment to providing exceptional education and fostering academic excellence. Jon graduated from University of Cambridge with a PGCE in Mathematics and brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. In his previous roles as Executive Principal at The British School of Barcelona and Headteacher at Leventhorpe School, he implemented strategic plans, achieved…

Sidcot School Appoints New Head

James Jones will join Sidcot from Wycombe Abbey in January 2024 Sidcot School’s Board of Governors has appointed James Jones as successor to Iain Kilpatrick as Head. Currently serving as Deputy Head at Wycombe Abbey, a role he has held since 2017, James will join the Sidcot School community from January 2024. The appointment follows an extensive and competitive executive search process. Commenting, Jameson Miller, Chair of Governors at Sidcot School said: “We are thrilled that James will be joining us. James is a dedicated and experienced educational leader, a confident and skilled teacher, and an ISI inspector who has impressed the Governors,…

David Payne Appointed as Head of Bedford Modern School

Bedford Modern School is delighted to announce that David Payne has been appointed as their new Head and will join the school in January 2024. Mr Payne has been Senior Deputy Head at Portsmouth Grammar School since 2019. He was previously Head of Sixth Form at Victoria College in Jersey and before that Head of Geography and Deputy Head of Sixth Form at St Albans School. He attended Rugby School and graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MA in Geography before obtaining his postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) at the University of Oxford. He also holds an MEd in…

Bradfield College appoint new Deputy Head (Academic) and Deputy Head

ELIZABETH (LIZ) WELLSDEPUTY HEAD (ACADEMIC) Liz joins the College from North London Collegiate School where she is Assistant Head (Head of Upper School). She gained a 1st Class degree in Economics from the University of York and went on to do a MPhil in Economics at Cambridge. After graduating, Liz spent three years working for HM Government as Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Justice and Treasury. From there she was appointed Teacher of Economics at Highgate School, where she was also Deputy Head of Middle School, before moving to North London Collegiate School first as Head of Economics, then Assistant Head…

Perrett Laver appoints six new Partners

Perrett Laver has kicked off the year with six Partner promotions. All are expert at connecting influential organisations with dynamic leaders in their respective sectors. The new Partners are: Natasha Zoltie, Partner, Climate, Environment and Conservation â€“ leading our work in climate, sustainability and conservation, Natasha supports organisations globally as they work to solve the single biggest challenge facing society today. With eight years’ experience at Perrett Laver, Natasha was seconded to Clean Air Fund in 2020. Shivani Smith, Partner, UK Non-Profits â€“ having worked in, and, with the non-profit sector for over 20 years and Shivani has extensive experience of governance, fundraising, research,…