Prominent London principal Irfan Latif has been announced as the new head of the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk, the school announced today.
Irfan, who has been principal of DLD College in London since 2018, will begin his role in September this year.
Under his leadership, DLD College London has scooped multiple awards and seen improvements in pastoral care and wellbeing support, academic standards and its extra-curricular programme.
Prior to taking up the headship at DLD, Irfan was headmaster at Sexey’s School, a state boarding school in Bruton, Somerset, and deputy head at Bedford School.
Educated at Emanuel School in London, he graduated with honours in chemistry from King’s College, University of London, where he also studied for his PGCE and is currently completing a masters in educational leadership at the University of Buckingham.
Mark Pendlington, chair of governors at RHS said:“Irfan’s senior experience as an education leader with 25 years in teaching, and over 15 years as a deputy head and head, in leading HMC and BSA UK boarding and day schools, made him an outstanding candidate.
“Irfan has a proven track record as a team leader on a local and national level. He is able to build on success, drive innovation, and inspire and engage across the whole school community. He has also developed powerful partnerships and networks beyond the school gates.
“The Governors and I believe these qualities will allow RHS to look to the future with confidence.”
Irfan Latif added: “It’s an honour to have been appointed the 11th headmaster of the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk. With its rich heritage and commitment to excellence, this prestigious institution has long stood as a beacon of outstanding education and character development in the East of England.
“I am keen to work collaboratively with the school, Greenwich Hospital, parents, and our wider community to build on the outstanding work of the current headmaster Simon Lockyer, to nurture a generation of learners who are not only academically accomplished and creative but also kind, confident, and ready to contribute positively to a rapidly changing world.”
Irfan will move to Suffolk with his wife Jo and two daughters.
RHS was recently named as a finalist for ‘Co-educational School of the Year’ in the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards 2023. It is also the only school in Suffolk to be featured in the Tatler School’s Guide 2024.