Speakers | HMC Autumn Conference 2024

Simon joined HMC in August 2020 following nine years as Head of the King’s School in Macclesfield, where he was also a pupil. In that time, he led the Foundation’s 2020 vision, which transformed the split-site diamond school into a fully co-educational school operating from a new campus in one of the country’s largest school improvement projects. After reading history at Christ Church, Oxford, Simon completed a doctorate on mid-nineteenth century Prussia at the universities of Oxford and Bonn. His first permanent post was at Loughborough Grammar School, after which he became head of history and humanities at Oakham School. Moving to Haberdashers’ Boys’ School in Elstree as Deputy Head (Development), he was allowed to dabble in most areas of school life. Simon has been Chair of Trustees at the Macclesfield Music Centre and involved in various groups supporting the town’s regeneration. He was a member of HMC’s PD Committee as well as Chair and Secretary of the North West Division. He is a governor and former ISI inspector.

Jaideep has been Headmaster of Bristol Grammar School (The Times Parent Power’s Southwest Independent School of the Year 2024) since September 2018. Prior to this he was Deputy Head (Academic) at Marlborough College (2014-2018), Head of Science at The Godolphin & Latymer School (2008-2013), and Head of Physics at Westminster School, where he started his teaching career (in 1998), after a spell in the city with Goldman Sachs.

As a beneficiary of financial assistance to join the Manchester Grammar School as a boy, Jaideep is a passionate advocate of widening access to the life-enhancing opportunities provided by excellent schooling. He was one of the small group of independent and state-sector Heads that set up the Bristol Education Partnership – a cross-city initiative of what is now 17 schools, universities and the city council, working together to improve educational outcomes for pupils across the city.
Jaideep was Chair of HMC’s South West division in 2021-22, and has been their representative on the HMC Communications Subcommittee since 2019. He was, from 2021-2023, HMC’s representative on ASCL Council, during which he was elected onto the selection committee to nominate ASCL Council’s candidate to succeed Geoff Barton as General Secretary.

Jaideep is an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, a governor on the boards of the Manchester Grammar School, Bishop Cotton School in India (and from September 2024, St Paul’s School in London). Since March 2023, he has been a Member for the Futura Learning Partnership, a sizeable MAT spanning Bristol and the South West, for whom he was previously a Trustee. He will be HMC Chair in the academic year 2024-25.

Away from education, Jaideep is a microlight pilot, a PADI divemaster, a keen but very mediocre musician and sportsman, and a long-suffering Liverpool fan. He is married to Kerry, and they have two school-aged children, both boys.

Named a Champion of Change, Shivvy Jervis is one of Europe’s most trusted guides on incredible innovations and how to use them so we can thrive.

Having headlined over 600 stages (alongside F1 legends, inventors and former PMs), drawn a 30 million minutes-worth lifetime reach for online broadcasts and earned 25 accolades, Shivvy is breaking barriers as a female, Asian voice bringing breakthroughs to life for businesses and consumers.

On a mission to humanise digital, Shivvy’s fronted a gripping, two-part Discovery Channel documentary, been turned into a hologram to educate thousands, chaired gripping debates with influential leaders, and is called on by the BBC, Forbes and the FT.

How will the connected world – our devices, apps, online tools – work in our favour? Which ones have true staying power? Described as an ‘Innovation Forecaster’, Shivvy is invited by some of the biggest brands to demystify the most meaningful tools that will elevate our livelihoods, organisations and personal potential.

Don’t take our word for it – the iconic TED Talks commend Shivvy for ‘remarkably finding what’s relevant in all the noise’, and the World Economic Forum laud ‘her ability to make complex topics accessible, in such a human way’ (more powerful testimonials here).

Both an expert and storyteller, Shivvy applies her journalism roots to investigate and demystify new developments from not just digital but also neuroscience to packed venues. Her three most in-demand themes span the impact of digital innovations from AI, Metaverse and the connected world; jobs and skills of the future, and applying neuroscience (such as the science behind motivation and attraction) to create engaged workforces and customers.

Known as ‘hunting innovation’ on TikTok, Shivvy has rapidly amassed over 10 million views on there in a short time! Intensely advocating “tech-for-good” for over a decade, Shivvy calls for digital to prioritize our human needs and avoid over-engineering. “Our desire for social connection, safety or growth is key, and the innovations that fulfil these will give us a real shot at the fantastic future we deserve,” she insists with her trademark energy and spirit.

Above all else, the trailblazer named one of Britain’s Women of the Year dedicates her time to fulfil our century-old need… to be as prepared as possible for the most pivotal changes coming our way.

Richard Harman was educated at The King’s School, Worcester, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read English. Having spent two years working for an academic publisher, he decided his real vocation was in teaching. After five years at Marlborough College teaching English and Drama, during which time he also completed his PGCE at Exeter University, he spent 12 years at Eastbourne College. Progressing from Head of English to Housemaster of a Sixth Form girls’ house to member of the Senior Management Team, he then became Headmaster of Aldenham in September 2000 and thence to Uppingham in 2006. After a decade leading Uppingham and 32 years overall in teaching, he embarked on a third career as Chief Executive of AGBIS. Richard is much enjoying the challenges at AGBIS, having been Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association for 2011-12 and Chairman of HMC for 2014-15

Jonathan Simons is a Partner, and Head of the Education Practice, at the strategy and public policy consultancy Public First, which works with some of the biggest organisations in English education to help them address policy questions, shape their message and engage with government. Jonathan has spent the past eighteen years working in and with government on education issues – eight years in government including 2.5 years in the No10 Strategy Unit; as the Head of Education for the think tank Policy Exchange; and working in international education for the global charity Varkey Foundation. In these roles, he has written extensively on all elements of the English education system and is a frequent conference speaker, media commentator, and columnist. Jonathan is a Trustee of Education Development Trust, a Member of Astrea Academy Trust, and the co-founder of Ark Greenwich Free School. He sits on advisory boards for UCAS, Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation, and the Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO) at UCL.

David Woodgate was appointed Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Bursars’ Association in May 2016.  Prior to this he was Chief Executive of the Institute of Financial Accountants from 2007 to 2015 after which he spent a year as the Strategy Consultant to the Institute of Public Accountants in Australia.

David qualified as a Barrister in 1982 following a first degree in Languages (French and Russian), Law and Linguistics.  He moved from the law into the City, holding several senior management and executive positions in the National Westminster Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland – in Strategic Planning, Corporate Finance and latterly as Director of e-Commerce for the corporate bank. He ran an outsourcing business and a specialist internal consultancy providing market intelligence and competitor analysis.

He completed an MBA at Warwick University Business School in 1992 with distinction.  A former Chief Executive of the Institute of Administrative Management, he also holds a postgraduate diploma in Charity Management from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and South Bank University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Chartered Banker, a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights. David is also a former Chairman of Governors of an HMC Independent school and is currently a Governor of the City of London School.

Christina Hinton, Ed.D., leads the Human Flourishing Program’s work in education and parenting. At Harvard, she leads research on character skills, loving relationships, and flourishing among children, adolescents, educators and parents internationally. In addition, she leads the Evidence-Based Parenting for Flourishing Families initiative, which shares evidence-based parenting resources globally. Dr. Hinton is also the Founder and CEO of Research Schools International (RSI), which has carried out over 50 research and professional development projects to promote character skills and flourishing in schools across 70 countries. She lectures internationally and has delivered keynotes in over 35 countries. Prior to her current roles, Dr. Hinton was a faculty member at Harvard Graduate School of Education, lecturing on neuroscience and education and social-emotional learning, and a researcher at Sesame Workshop. In addition, she worked in multilateral diplomacy and international policy-making at the OECD’s Center for Educational Research and Innovation and UNICEF. Dr. Hinton completed her doctorate and master’s at Harvard in education, neuroscience, and child development, and her bachelors at Swarthmore in neuroscience and education.

Dr. Jim Heal is a leading advocate for bridging the worlds of research and practice in education. His work seeks to develop expertise in evidence-informed instruction and leadership in K-12 schools, school districts, and higher education in the United States and Europe. Dr. Heal was a high school English teacher and principal for ten years in the UK before moving to the US, where he became Director of Practice at Harvard’s Research Schools International program. In his work at Deans for Impact, a US-based non-profit, he strives to increase teacher effectiveness by infusing the science of learning into educator preparation. He currently serves as Professor of Evidence-Informed Education Leadership at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, and teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he earned his doctorate in educational leadership. He is author of How Teaching Happens: Seminal Works in Teaching and Teacher Effectiveness and What They Mean in Practice, and Mental Models: How Understanding the Mind Can Transform the Way You Work and Learn.

Daisy is Director of Education at No More Marking, a provider of online comparative judgement assessments. She works closely with schools in the UK, Australia and USA on developing new approaches to assessment, and on applications of artificial intelligence in the classroom.

Before that, she was Head of Assessment at Ark Schools, a network of academy schools.  She has taught English in two London comprehensives and has been part of UK government commissions on the future of teacher training and assessment

Daisy is the author of Seven Myths about Education, Making Good Progress? The future of Assessment for Learning, and Teachers vs Tech.

Hal is one of the top stand up comedians working in the UK today, as well as being a highly accomplished writer and actor.

He has made several appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ as well as regular appearances on shows such as ‘Mock the Week’, ‘The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ and ‘The Apprentice: You’re Fired’. He’s written and starred in his own sitcom, ‘Hal’ on Radio 4 (co-written with Dominic Holland).

Hal’s stand up shows, ‘It’s Best You Hear It From Me’, ‘Tough Luvie’, ’Chubster’ and ‘Straight Outta Cruttenden’ are available on Amazon Prime. Other TV appearances include ’Would I Lie To You’, ‘Pointless Celebrities’, ‘The Weakest Link Celebrity Special’, ’Richard Osman’s House of Games’, ‘The One Show’, ‘Celebrity Mastermind’, ’Let’s Dance For Comic Relief’, ‘Celebrity Chase’, ‘Celebrity Tipping Point’, ‘Guessable’, ‘The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala’ ‘The Jeremy Vine Show’, ‘The Wright Stuff’, ‘Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live’  ‘Comedy Central at the Comedy Store’ ‘Just For Laughs Gala’,  ‘New Zealand International Comedy Festival Gala’, ‘7 Days’ and ‘The Project.

Hal has completed six nationwide tours: ‘It’s Best You Hear It From Me’ (2022/23)’Chubster’ (2018/19), ’Straight Outta Cruttenden’(2015/16), ’Tough Luvvie’ (2013/14), ‘The Tiny Rage Tour’(2011) and ‘Lively (2010). He is also a three time Chortle Award nominee and was nominated for the Perrier Newcomer Award back at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002. As well as writing and acting in his sitcom ‘Hal’, other Radio 4 appearances include being a team captain on ‘Britain versus the World’ , several spots on ‘Loose Ends’, ‘Act Your Age’, ‘Chat Show Roulette’ and ‘Four at the Store’. He has also appeared on many podcasts including ‘Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast’, ‘Evil Genius with Russell Kane’ and ‘Three Little Words’.

Having originally trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Hal’s acting career includes roles on TV and film in ‘Shackleton’; ‘Eastenders’; ‘Kavanagh QC’; ‘Out of the Blue’; ‘Touching Evil’ and ‘Bramwell’. He also appeared in the movie ‘Mrs Dalloway‘. Theatre work includes ‘Brexit’ and ‘Making News’ at the Edinburgh Festival and ‘Orwell A Celebration’ at Trafalgar Studios, London and the Edinburgh Festival. As well as his performances at Melbourne and the New Zealand Comedy Festival, Hal has appeared at Montreal’s Just For Laughs’ Festival three times and travelled all across Canada on their Just For Laughs Comedy tours. He has performed on two Just For Laughs Galas hosted by Joan Rivers (2008) and Howie Mandel (2012). Other international appearances include Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival in Ireland and tours to India, Bermuda, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Norway, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. For the British Armed Forces he has played gigs in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Germany.

‘Chubster’ is available on NextUPComedy.com and Amazon Prime

‘Straight Outta Cruttenden’ is available on Amazon Prime

‘Tough Luvvie’ is available at www.amazon.co.uk

Sarah Fletcher is currently High Mistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School. She was previously Head of Kingston Grammar School and of City of London School. She was involved from the outset in the development of the Extended Project Qualification and the Cambridge Pre-U, sitting on the Pre-U Steering Committee from inception to launch. She is a member of the HMC Academic Policy Committee and currently leads an HMC discussion group on reform of assessment. She sits on the equivalent discussion group for the GSA and is a member of Rethinking Assessment.

Sir Clive Woodward, OBE was the architect of Britain’s greatest rugby achievement, Sir Clive Woodward earned international acclaim and a knighthood after he led England’s players to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003.

Clive’s approach to winning has captured the imagination of both the sporting and corporate worlds. He draws on his experience as a World Cup-winning Head Coach, as Director of Sport for Team GB at the British Olympic Association for the London 2012 Olympics, and as Founding Partner and Chairman of Captured (an online coaching software and synchronised app based on his coaching philosophy).

Clive is a respected commentator for BBC Sport, ITV Sport and SKY Sports’ rugby coverage, and writes as a member of The Daily Mail’s award-winning sports team.

Sir Anthony Seldon, is one of Britain’s leading contemporary historians, educationalists, commentators and political authors. Head of Epsom College since February 2023, he was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham from 2015 to 2020 after being a transformative head for 20 years of Brighton College and then Wellington College. He is author or editor of over 45 books on contemporary history, including the inside books on the last six Prime Ministers, was the co-founder and first director of the Institute for Contemporary British History, is cofounder of Action for Happiness, was honorary historical adviser to 10 Downing Street for ten years, was the UK’s Special Representative for Education to Saudi Arabia, was Deputy Chair of The Times Education Commission, was a member of the Government’s First World War Culture Committee, was chair of the Comment Awards, is a director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, is the President of IPEN, (International Positive Education Network), is Chair of the National Archives Trust and is initiator and deputy chair of the “commission on the centre” run by the Institute for government. He is patron or on the board of several charities, founder of the Via Sacra Western Front Walk, and was executive producer of the film Journey’s End. He appeared on the Desert Island Discs in 2016. For the last fifteen years he has given his money from writing and lecturing to charity. He has three children; his wife of 34 years, Joanna, died of cancer in December 2016. He married Sarah in April 2022.

Tom Arbuthnott is Deputy Head (Partnerships) at Eton College. As well as overseeing the school’s strategies to widen access to talented boys from diverse backgrounds, he oversees Eton’s strong and multiple relationships with state sector schools and the community engagement programme, as well as the annual summer schools.

Tom took degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge universities and worked in Brussels and London before retraining as a teacher in 2004. From 2010-2016, Tom led an award-winning outreach programme at King Edward’s School, Birmingham.

An Old Etonian himself, he returned in 2016 as Eton’s first Director of Outreach and Partnership and in 2017-18, he served as Chair of the Schools Together Group. Tom is currently leading Eton’s collaborative project with Star Academies to establish new state-funded sixth forms in coldspot areas of the Midlands and North. He is co-founder and Chair of the School Partnerships Alliance and a governor of Holyport College.

Mark S. Steed has spent the past 23 years leading top UK independent school; and international schools in Dubai and Hong Kong.

He now runs Steed Education (steededucation.com), an international educational consultancy committed to supporting school leaders. Steed Education provides project management services for key strategic initiatives, such as school mergers, opening new campuses and developing digital strategy; as well as undertaking IT and cyber-risk audits and implementation programmes. As part of this work, he is currently working as the Interim Principal and CEO of Stamford School in Lincolnshire

Mark worked in the UK as a Teacher, Head of Department, and Boarding Housemaster prior to his two senior leaderships roles as Headmaster of Kelly College in Devon; and then as Principal of the Berkhamsted Schools Group. He moved aboard in September 2015 to be Director of JESS, Dubai, before moving to Hong Kong in September 2019 to be the Principal and CEO of Kellett School.

Mark has degrees from Cambridge and Nottingham Universities and from Ashridge-Hult Business School where he researched ‘Alternative Business models for Secondary Schooling’. He has a particular interest in how new technologies can be used in education and chaired the UK Independent Schools Council Digital Strategy Group from 2007 to 2015. He recently completed the Harvard course on Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age.

Mark writes about international education and a range of other educational and IT issues. He is active on his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/independenthead.

Christina is a prominent thought-leader on partnerships, especially cross-sector, and helps schools build strategic partnerships for mutual benefit.  She is Founder-Chair of the Schools Together Group (now the School Partnerships Alliance), established whilst she was Head of Partnerships at King’s Canterbury.  She offers bespoke consultancy and mentoring for schools, directs training programmes and speaks and writes on school partnerships. In January 2022 she launched #PartnerChat, a series of free monthly breakfast briefings.

She is also a school science consultant (having taught physics for over 20 years) and advises corporate clients on their educational outreach.

www.astinconsulting.com

@ChristinaAstin

Will Goldsmith has an MA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. He became Acting Head of Bedales in September 2021, having initially joined the school as Deputy Head (Academic), and became Head of Bedales in February 2022. He was previously Director of Teaching and Learning and Head of English at Latymer Upper in West London, which followed teaching in state and independent schools. He says education is “about empowering young people to engage with learning on a profound level that they sustain their whole life”. He is passionate about diversity and works closely with students in supporting LGBTQ+ rights in school and beyond. He enjoys singing, having spent much of his life in a variety of chamber choirs; he was brought up as the child of expatriate parents in Africa, the Middle and Far East; and he speaks fluent French having lived in Paris for five years after graduating. On Bedales, Will says “the willingness to challenge the orthodoxies of education (without necessarily rejecting them), combined with a profoundly communitarian approach and an understanding of the importance of the natural world make it very special indeed”.