Simon Lockyer, headmaster of The Royal Hospital School in Ipswich is making an international move after being appointed as CEO and principal of the British School of Milan.
The move, in September 2024, will end Mr Lockyer’s nine years as head at RHS. Previously, Mr Lockyer was second master at The Portsmouth Grammar School and housemaster and head of department at Wellington College.
He said in a LinkedIn post:
“I am eternally grateful for the start it has provided for my three children and the experiences that have developed me professionally and personally. I strongly believe RHS is a better place and having steered it through the pandemic, it has firm financial foundations, a much- enhanced reputation and an outstanding staff body; all excellent ingredients for my successor.”
In an interview with School Management Plus in 2021, Mr Lockyer said he had worked on transforming the reputation of RHS from a school where pupils “just learnt marching” to one providing a broad and balanced education with academic rigour.
He said he was “excited” to be joining the British School of Milan because of its “outstanding reputation for academic excellence alongside a palpable family and community feel.”
The British School of Milan is rated among the top 5 IB schools in Europe and top 50 in the world.
Mark Pendlington, chair of governors at RHS, wrote in a statement on the school’s website: “Under his leadership the school has seen significant academic improvement over successive years and a significant shift in the culture of aspiration.
“The success of the school has been reflected in a very strong balance sheet and the strong financial strength of the school provides an excellent platform for the next period of development.
“Amongst many key achievements he has succeeded in broadening access to the school, including internationally, and has enhanced relationships between the school, the Royal Navy, our extensive community network and the alumni. Taken together with the development of our approach to philanthropic giving, most recently in the hugely successful ‘Launch 100 Lives’ campaign, all this will be an enduring part of his legacy at RHS.”