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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Lucy Hayes
Global Practice Head, Schools and Educational Organisations
James Boyd
Partner
Janelle Entwistle
Country Managing Partner
Katie Kettle
Partner & Regional Practice Head, UK & Africa and Middle East, Schools and Educational Organisations
Antonia Storey-Mason
Senior Consultant UK
Amy Evans
Consultant UK
Frances Crossley
Consultant UK
Zoe Huang
Consultant Singapore
Bharti Aggarwal
Project Coordinator Amsterdam UK
Recent Schools and Education Organisations Clients
Recent Schools and Education Organisations Appointments
THE APPOINTMENT OF MRS ANNE WAKEFIELD AS HEAD OF ST
The Governors are delighted to announce, after a very thorough recruitment process, the appointment of Mrs Anne Wakefield as the new Headmistress of St Mary’s Calne and St Margaret’s Prep from September 2024, at the beginning of the next academic year….
Chair of Council Announcement
The College is delighted to announce the appointment of Heidi Venamore PSM as the new Chair of Council. Heidi is a distinguished diplomat with over 32 years of service to the Australian Government. She has recently completed four years as the Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and was the Ambassador to Jordan from 2012–2016. She was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) in 2004 for outstanding service in furthering Australia’s interests in Iraq, and the Defence Overseas Service Medal in 2023 for her leadership of Australia’s 2021 evacuation of 4,000 people from Afghanistan to Australia….
Exeter chooses next dean of students
Ashley Taylor arrives from Episcopal in Virginia and will succeed Russell Weatherspoon in July….
Simon Kibler appointed Head of King’s Ely Prep from September
We are delighted to confirm that we have appointed Mr Simon Kibler to be Mr Richard Whymark’s successor as Head of King’s Ely Prep from September 2024….
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…