ISA
ISA
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
The Independent Schools Association (ISA) brings together the Headteachers of nearly 800 independent schools, representing the rich diversity of independent education across the UK and overseas. Established in 1878, ISA is one of the oldest and most respected member associations within the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
ISA exists to provide professional support, fellowship and opportunity to their Members who nurture and develop over 140,000 pupils within their schools. Promoting best practice and fellowship remains at the core of ISA, as it did when it began over 145 years ago.
ISA supports Headteachers using their independence to meet the specific needs of their pupils. At ISA there are schools with different approaches to the curriculum, schools with different religious characters, and none, and schools with different ways of operating. This all contributes to a wide-ranging membership, not confined to any one type of school, but including all: nursery, pre-preparatory, junior and senior, all-through schools, coeducational, single-sex, boarding, day, bilingual, performing arts and specialist provision.
As well as tailored professional development opportunities for ISA Members through their programme of courses and conferences, pupils in ISA schools benefit through their Head’s membership with access to the extensive ISA Sport and Arts programmes. ISA Sport champions inclusion in physical activity for young people across 54 national (and over 150 regional) events. ISA Arts helps schools inspire creativity, expression and individuality across the arts with both virtual and in-person events. Also, the annual ISA Awards ceremony celebrates excellence and innovation across Members’ schools.
The ISA central office also provides advice to Members in areas such as HR, curriculum, finance, leadership and governance, and represents the views of its membership at national and governmental levels. A strong regional network of fellow Heads supports each Member, and all Members receive a complimentary compliance check in the run-up to their next scheduled inspection, as well as an annual pastoral visit from a dedicated regional ambassador.
Membership is open to independent school Heads and Proprietors provided they meet the necessary criteria, which include accreditation by any government-approved inspectorate.
Council and Officers 2025–2026
President: Lord Lexden OBE
Honorary Officers:
Chair: Jonathan Hetherington
Vice-Chair: Natasha Dangerfield
Vice-Chair: Sue Knox
Independent Trustees:
Stefan Anderson
Andrew Hampton
Stuart Nicholson
Elective Councillors:
Matthew Burke | Emma Bell |
Allan Cairns | Geraldine Maidment |
David Brown | Kevin Samson |
Sue Knox | Oliver Scott |
Victoria Playford | Francesca Ellsmoor |
Irfan Latif | James Wilding |
David Preston | Jeff Shaw |
Area Coordinators:
East Anglia: Pauline Wilson | Midlands: Rebecca Harrison |
London North: Amanda Campbell | North: Jeremy Duke |
London South: Dominic Price | South West: Craig Wardle |
London West: Graham Spawforth |
Officials:
Chief Executive Officer: Rudolf Eliott Lockhart
Deputy Chief Executive Officer: Peter Woodroffe
Director of Education and Inclusion: Helen Stanton-Tonner
Professional Development Officer: Alice Thompson
Office Manager and PA to the CEO: Karen Goddard
Independent Schools Association
ISA House, 5–7 Great Chesterford Court, Great Chesterford, Essex CB10 1PF