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 |
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HMC – The Heads’ Conference
12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QU