November 8th 2024
We're pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Heard as the new Head of Sherborne School from September 2025.
Simon is currently Deputy Master at Haileybury where he has responsibility for the day to day running of the School and for leading a number of key strategic projects. He spent time in the Royal Marines and Ministry of Defence before moving into education and has since worked at a number of established boarding and day schools in the UK in positions including Deputy Head, Head of Department and Housemaster, before moving to Haileybury in 2018. Simon holds a Joint Honours Degree in French and Russian from Exeter University and is completing a Master of Studies Degree in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge.
In addition to a love of classical French and historical literature, Simon is also a keen cross-country runner and downhill skier. He has represented Britain in biathlon and cross-country skiing and was British Champion in 2005. He also enjoys walking and cycling in the Alps, kayaking, and has previously coached rugby, shooting and cross-country running. Having received an outstanding boys-only education at RGS Guildford, Simon is hugely supportive of the single-sex model at Sherborne. He also recognises the value of a strong co-educational context and describes Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls’ unique ‘Separate Yet Together’ offering as ‘the best of both worlds’. Simon moves to Sherborne with his wife, Isabel, and their six children.
When he was informed of his appointment, Simon said, "I am thrilled and honoured to be offered this opportunity at such a significant moment in the long history of Sherborne School.” He added, “I am attracted by the strong emphasis the school places on educational and strategic innovation and ambition, and the desire to prepare pupils for life within a thriving full-boarding community. I am also excited by the collaborative opportunity across the Sherborne Schools Group and by what we might achieve together.”
