Issue 9: A Briefing on the Business of Education and Creative Thinking
130 strategic deal activities, 63 closures and key updates in independent education. Plus exhibition ideas for January 2026.
UPDATE / Independent Education Activity and Commentary
As we move towards the end of the year, the latest strategic deal activity stands at 130, with closures rising to 63. This jump reflects last week’s data update and the release of the updated closures map (see below). When I moved into education over a decade ago, I never expected the independent sector to shift quite like this. Following it closely has helped me understand the landscape more clearly, and I hope these snapshots continue to be useful.
Here are the updates, with a few recaps:
Leicester Grammar School Trust leadership changes: Dr Graham Purves steps down as Headmaster and Principal; Stephen Jeffries, formerly Director of Finance and Operations, appointed interim Chief Executive, alongside Magnus Anderson (Head of Leicester Grammar School), Sophia Ashworth Jones (Junior School), and Christina McCullough (LGS Stoneygate).
Magdalen College School secures Oxford City Council approval for new Science, Library and Partnerships Building, designed by Walters & Cohen; project to advance STEM (AI, robotics, Big Data) and partnerships, with completion targeted for 2030.
AFIS launches to give families a collective voice in UK independent schooling.
Roedean announces a proposed charity merger with Mill Hill Education Group, aiming to join the Mill Hill family of schools while retaining its unique identity as a leading girls’ school.
Lady Eleanor Holles (Junior) - Iona Carmody named Head from September 2026; brings leadership experience in UK and South Africa.
Hunter Hall, located in Penrith, has successfully raised £180,000 + in a recent fundraising campaign to save the school.
Bede’s School confirms major expansion with a new Lower School building set to open in September 2027 at the Upper Dicker campus, planning in progress.
Rugby School Dubai: Henry Price, current Headmaster of Oakham, is appointed Executive Principal of the new co-educational Rugby School in Dubai - launched in partnership with Aldar Education - effective August 2026.
RGS Guildford and RGS Prep will become co-educational from September 2027, welcoming girls and continuing to provide an inclusive, values-driven education.
St Paul’s Junior rebrands as St Paul’s Prep and merges with Durston House and Shrewsbury House under St Paul’s School Group. Change comes into place on December 31.
Lucy Pearson to become Head of Oakham from September 2026; first female in the school’s 440-year history.
What does this all mean for overall activity?
Closures continue to dominate the sector at 33%, with acquisitions accounting for 26%. Schools are repositioning through strategic appointments (10%), and investment (10%) is still entering the market. In a recent conversation, a Head remarked that one of the biggest challenges is strengthening the Governing Body and ensuring the full breadth of expertise is in place.
For colleagues considering a move in the new year, I would recommend looking closely at the credentials of not only the school but also the leadership team. The quality of leadership and the skills within the organisation make a significant difference. It is also worth understanding the school’s strategic direction and, importantly, the priorities it sets for its teaching staff.
Next week, in the final briefing of the series, I will bring this project to a close. I hope to reflect on the series as a whole and consider whether there is value in continuing it.
Independent School Closures, December 2025
The independent school closures in England and Wales, 2025 can be viewed here.
If you spot any edits or have sector news to share for the next briefing, I’d welcome it. Please share with colleagues.
ART / Exhibitions January 2026
Lots of fascinating exhibitions in January 2026. Here are three that caught my eye:
Mark Manders
London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE
22 January – July 2026
Dutch artist Mark Manders brings a monumental sculpture to the London Mithraeum, installed above the Roman Temple of Mithras. His work mixes fragments, raw materials and bronze to create something that feels both ancient and strangely new.
Luigi Ghirri: Felicità
Thomas Dane Gallery, London
23 January – 11 April 2026
Private View: 22 January, 6–8pm
Italian photographer Luigi Ghirri gets a two-space show curated by Alessio Bolzoni and filmmaker Luca Guadagnino. Expect rarely seen images, playful pieces and experiments with postcards and interiors that blur the line between reality and imagination.
Laura Lima: The Drawing Drawing
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London
26 January – 29 March 2026
Brazilian artist Laura Lima takes over the ICA with installations that rethink what a drawing class can be. It features live performers and is her first UK solo show.
“When I create things, the spectator is not present; I create everything for myself. If I had the public in my head, I would be a designer creating something between the creator and the viewing public, which prohibits the creation of depth. Art is about comparison.”