Bedford School headmaster James Hodgson is to step down after 12 years in post, with governors announcing that current King’s College Taunton head, Michael Sloan, has been appointed as his successor.
Mr Hodgson, who joined Bedford School in 2013, is widely regarded as having strengthened both academic ambition and the school’s links with the wider community and schools of all backgrounds.
Community-minded leadership
Although Mr Hodgson did not comment at the time of publication, he has frequently spoken about the importance of education reaching beyond exam results and school gates.
Speaking at an event to mark 10 years of the Quarry Theatre, he highlighted the work of boys at Bedford School in raising funds for charity, as well as involving pupils from other local schools in joint projects, describing that outward-looking approach as central to the school’s purpose.
This echoed his Headmaster’s welcome on the school’s website.
“Education is, to my mind, a 50/50 proposition, ” he said.
“Half of what we do never changes: we aim to produce young men who are good people first and foremost, who work hard to become responsible citizens, full of integrity and with a deep curiosity for (and engagement in) the world around them.”
New headmaster
Bedford School has confirmed that Michael Sloan will become its next headmaster at the start of the next academic year, following a competitive recruitment process that attracted candidates from many of the UK’s leading schools.
Mr Sloan is currently headmaster at King’s College, Taunton. A spokesperson for Bedford School says he brings “strong academic leadership and valuable experience of leading boarding, with a particular focus on pastoral care in an all-boys environment”.
A graduate of Newcastle University in Ancient History, he began his career as an officer in the British Army, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.
After completing a PGCE at Bristol University, he taught history at Emanuel School in London before joining the leadership team at Brighton College, where he spent eight years as deputy head and played a key role in elevating the school’s academic profile. He became Head of King’s College, Taunton in 2022.
Governors say they were particularly impressed by his ambition for every boy to fulfil his potential, his commitment to staff development and his understanding of the culture that makes Bedford School “such an outstanding school”.
“I am thrilled to be appointed as the next headmaster of Bedford School. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of such a nationally respected and brilliantly distinctive school,” said Mr Sloan.
“My family and I are very much looking forward to joining the Bedford School community, which is clearly defined by its warmth, ambition and sense of purpose.
“I am excited to work alongside pupils, staff, parents and alumni to ensure every boy is inspired to fulfil his potential, and to help shape the next chapter in the school’s remarkable story – one that continues to inspire excellence, character and community.”
He will relocate to Bedford with his wife, Hannah, and their four young sons ahead of taking up the post.
