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 several key strategic projects. He is completing a Master of Studies Degree in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge and holds a Joint Honours Degree in French and Russian from the University of Exeter. Having previously worked at a number of established boarding and day schools in the UK in positions including Deputy Head, Head of Department and Housemaster, he moved to Haileybury in 2018. He has previously coached rugby, shooting and cross-country running and when time permits, Simon enjoys classical French literature as well as walking, skiing, cycling and kayaking in the Alps. He moves to Sherborne with his wife, Isabel, and their six children.
Prior to teaching, Simon was sponsored through university on a Royal Marines’ bursary and on completing his degree he undertook five months of Initial Officer Training before deciding to leave to pursue competitive skiing. He has represented Great Britain in biathlon and cross-country skiing and was British Champion in 2005.
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’.
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.”
