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HMC
Description: HMC
HMC
THE HEADS’ CONFERENCE
HMC is the world’s first Heads’ association dating back to 1869 when Edward Thring of Uppingham School convened the first Conference. Since that time, Conference has convened annually and it is a condition of membership that Heads attend, so that the association retains its sense of collegiality and common purpose.
There are currently over 300 members in the UK and Ireland and serving 270,000 young people, making it by far the largest Heads’ association in the independent sector. HMC welcomes many different types of school, including day and boarding schools, senior and through schools as well as boys’, girls’, co-educational and diamond schools. In addition, 50 international members represent schools throughout the world.
UK and Ireland schools must operate on a not-for-profit basis, and they must also meet stringent requirements to ensure educational quality and breadth. HMC schools are prominent supporters of state sector partnerships and several sponsor state-maintained academies. All HMC schools are committed to the safeguarding of children and young people.
The aims of the association have changed relatively little since its foundation and it continues to support its members, to represent their views and to exemplify excellence in education. It has an extensive professional development programme for Heads, aspiring heads, senior leaders, governors and others. The Education team, with senior and junior school specialists, provides advice and support on a variety of school-related issues. Most recently HMC has published helpful guides on university access, bursaries, digital skills in schools, the future of assessment and much more.
The Communications team supports members with issues from crisis communications and political engagement to website design and social media strategies. HMC has a Partner Directory, offering members direct access to high quality and recommended suppliers and advisers, ready to support schools with excellent services.
HMC is closely associated with the other independent sector associations within the Independent Schools Council (ISC), and with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents the Heads and senior staff of secondary schools and colleges in both the maintained and independent sectors. HMC schools make up more than 50% of the student body within ISC, and 54% of all pupils on fee assistance in ISC schools are at an HMC school.
The HMC Board and Council 2023–2024
Elected Board Members
Chair
Sue Woodroofe
The Grammar School at Leeds
Vice-Chair
Melvyn Roffe
George Watson’s College
Chair-Elect
Jaideep Barot
Bristol Grammar School
Treasurer
Brendan Wignall
Ellesmere College
George Hartley
The King’s School, Chester
Sally-Anne Huang
St Paul’s School
Lisa Kerr
Gordonstoun
Geoff Thompson MBE
Arun Kanwar
Council Members
Chair – East
Simon Lockyer
Royal Hospital School
Secretary – East
Andrew Holman
Wellingborough School
Chair – Irish
Robert Robinson
Campbell College
Secretary – Irish
Chair – London
Fionnuala Kennedy
Wimbledon High School
Secretary – London
Alastair Land
Harrow School
Chair – North East
Anthony Jackson
Barnard Castle School
Secretary – North East
Alexandra Wilson
Tranby
Chair – North West
George Hartley
King’s School, Chester
Secretary – North West
Paul Vicars
Birkenhead School
Chair – Scottish
Mark Lauder
Strathallan School
Secretary – Scottish
Matthew Pearce
The Glasgow Academy
Chair – South Central
Alastair Chirnside
St Edward’s School
Secretary – South Central
Elaine Purves
Queen Anne’s School
Chair – South East
Shaun Fenton
Reigate Grammar School
Secretary – South East
Tom Lawson
Eastbourne College
Chair – South West
Rupert Heathcote
Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital
Secretary – South West
Louise Simpson
Exeter School
Chair – West
Charles Fillingham
Solihull School
Secretary – West
Jon Pitt
RGS Worcester
Chair – International
Vanita Uppal OBE
The British School, New Delhi
Secretary – International
Nicholas Hammond
The British School of Paris
Co-opted Members
Chair of Education
Christopher Stevens
Bradfield College
Chair of Professional Development
Ben Vessey
Canford School
Chair of Universities
Nick Weaver
Ipswich School
Chair of Inspection
Jason Slack
The King’s School in Macclesfield
Chair of Communications
Philip Britton MBE
Bolton School
Chair of Membership & Professional Standards
George Hartley
The King’s School, Chester
Chair of Sports
Kevin Knibbs
Hampton School
Chair of Pastoral & Safeguarding
Sarah Kerr-Dineen
Oundle School
Officers (in attendance)
General Secretary & CEO
Dr Simon Hyde
HMC
Director of Finance & Operations
Chris Silver
HMC
 
HMC – The Heads’ Conference
12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QU
Tel: 01858 465260 • email: office@hmc.org.uk • website: www.hmc.org.uk