Issue 15: The Business of Independent Education and Creative Thinking
This week, my highlight has been contributing research for the You and Yours consumer affairs programme on Radio 4, which aired yesterday. As I edit this on my phone, it’s difficult to drop in the link, so I’ll post it on LinkedIn. Alternatively, visit BBC Sounds and find the 11 February episode there. There was a feature reviewing the impact of VAT on the independent sector.
So what’s happening?
Tracking activity over the last week has shown that while appointments are steady, the surge in strategic developments and mergers suggests a sector continuing to reorganise itself rapidly to counter a range of pressures and opportunities. From Oxford to Riyadh, the trend is one of scale and diversification.
Total updates this week: 20
Breakdown: 14 Strategic Developments, 8 Appointments, 4 Strategic Partnerships, 4 Acquisitions, 3 News items, 2 Capital Projects, 2 Investments, 1 Merger
Month to month change: Significant increase in strategic development activity (up from 10 to 14), despite a quieter period for appointments.
Most active companies: Cognita Schools and Inspired Education Group.
The website continues to be updated with activity and new developments, which I’ll detail in the next briefing. Please continue to send me your school updates. This is the last issue for now as I pause for half term. I’m looking forward to picking it up again after the break.
Jonathan
INDEPENDENT EDUCATION/ Updates
Acquisitions
- Forfar Education enters Greek market with acquisition of Rodion Pedia
This marks Forfar’s first entry into Greece, continuing a pattern of rapid European diversification for the group.
- International Schools Partnership expands in Brazil with Godoi Educacional Group acquisition
The acquisition of three schools in São Paulo reinforces ISP’s strategy of building density in high-growth South American urban centres.
Strategic Development and Mergers
- St Dunstan’s Education Group to expand south London portfolio with West Lodge School merger
This merger signals the continued rise of the “local cluster” model, where established foundations provide a safety net for smaller preparatory schools.
- New Hall School to take over management of St Anne’s Preparatory School
Following the trend of larger schools absorbing prep schools, this takeover ensures the survival of St Anne’s.
- Magdalen College School to become fully co-educational
A landmark shift for the 550 year old institution, reflecting the broader sector move away from single sex education to ensure long term sustainability.
- Staff restructuring at Malvern St James as school cites economic pressures
- Stamford School announces redevelopment of St Michael’s for early years provision
This project reflects a wider trend of schools prioritising early years “feeder” hubs to secure the long term pupil pipeline.
International and Partnerships
- Cognita and ROSHN Group to expand King’s College Riyadh with new SEDRA campus
The partnership underscores the ongoing “gold rush” in Saudi Arabia’s education sector, following Cognita’s initial entry in 2025.
- Reigate Grammar School expands UAE presence with Royal Kids Nursery launch
- Moon Hall School to open specialist dyslexia satellite at Copthorne Prep
An innovative “school within a school” model that allows specialist providers to scale without the overheads of a full new site.
Appointments
- Cognita appoints David Baldwin as Group Chief Executive Officer
Baldwin’s promotion from the Middle East CEO role suggests the group will continue to prioritise expansion in Gulf markets.
- Inspired Education Group appoints Iain Colledge as CEO for MENA region
- Mark Taylor appointed permanent chair of the Independent Schools Council
- Rossall School appoints Victoria Lumby as Director of Admissions and Global Partnerships
- Windermere School appoints Jessica Sheldrick as Head
View the full tracking and the link to the Tracker sector update page.
SPOTLIGHT / Strategic Development
The theme this week is the acceleration of ‘Strategic Development,’ which accounted for 14 of the 20 recorded updates.
We are seeing two clear branches forming. On one hand, large international groups like Cognita and Inspired are aggressively pursuing growth in the MENA and European regions. On the other, domestic UK independents are seeking safety in numbers.
The merger between St Dunstan’s Education Group and West Lodge School, and the takeover of St Anne’s by New Hall School, are illustrative of a tightening ‘middle market’. Smaller prep schools are finding it increasingly difficult to operate with total independence, leading them to seek shelter with the financial and operational support of a larger school and / or group.
Investors and governors should note the trend towards ‘Early Years Hubs,’ such as Stamford’s redevelopment of St Michael’s. By investing in the early years, schools are attempting to ‘lock in’ families earlier, creating a more predictable revenue stream for the following decade. We expect this focus on the 3 to 7 age range to remain a primary strategic focus throughout 2026.
AI / Warning
Mustafa Suleyman argues that as AI accelerates, the next phase must be defined by restraint and intentional design. He warns against building systems that simulate consciousness, emotional dependency, or pursue unconstrained superintelligence. Instead he calls for “humanist superintelligence” which keeps people in control. The future of AI, he suggests, will be shaped by what we choose not to build. Listen to his full conversation with Azeem Azhar on the podcast for more.
“When I sit down to make a sketch from nature, the first thing I try to do is to forget that I have ever seen a picture.” / John Constable