Irena Barker

London

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Freelance writer and editor. Education, languages, teenagers, DIY Digital editor, https://t.co/3yXGzHN5Wq irenabarkerATgmailDOTcom

Featured in: Favicon

theguardian.com Favicon

independent.co.uk Favicon

tes.com

cambridge-news.co.uk Favicon

pulsetoday.co.uk Favicon

teachingtimes.com Favicon

elgazette.com

Articles

Bedford School world-first with girls' campus in India

2 weeks ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker

Bedford School in the UK – a school for boys – is set to open the first British international girls’ school in India and become the first British school brand in the north of the country. The new, purpose-built school for girls aged 3-18 will be situated in Mohali on the outskirts of Chandigarh, in the Punjab region. Called Bedford School Mohali, it will open its doors in April 2026, teach both British and national curricula and offer day and boarding options.
Net-zero sports facilities for Edgeborough School

3 weeks ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker

Designed and built by the award-winning TG Escapes in collaboration with Weyside Architects, this state-of-the-art changing block at Edgeborough School in Surrey blends innovative modular construction with biophilic design principles. It ensures optimal functionality, in a space that enhances mental well-being and fosters a deeper connection with nature.
Family-run Woodcote House School to close

3 weeks ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker

An historic family-run prep school that prepared boys for major UK public schools such as Eton and Harrow has announced it is to close at the end of the summer term. The 82-pupil Woodcote House School for Boys in Windlesham, Surrey, dates back to 1816, but has been run by the Paterson family since 1931. Its head Oliver Paterson is the fifth generation of the family to lead the school.
Judicial review of VAT on fees begins

3 weeks ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker

A judicial review of the Government’s VAT on school fees policy was set to begin today in the High Court (April 1). With the support of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), seven families have filed a claim over the policy, arguing that it is “incompatible” with aspects of both the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Dr Anne Cotton to be 2026-27 HMC chair

4 weeks ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Dorothy Lepkowska |Lewis Phillips |Irena Barker

Dr Anne Cotton, head of King’s College School in Wimbledon, has been announced as the new HMC chair for the 2026-27 academic year. Dr Cotton will follow in the footsteps of Jaideep Barot, the current chair of the leading independent schools group, and the 2025-26 chair, Philip Britton. She will join the HMC board as chair elect in September 2025. Dr Cotton has had an extensive career in education and is the first woman to lead King’s College School on a permanent basis.
Historic Fulneck School in Rachel Reeves' constituency to close

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker

An historic school in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Yorkshire constituency has announced it is to close due to declining pupil numbers. Fulneck School in Pudsey, which dates back to 1753 and was attended by actress Dame Diana Rigg and prime minister Herbert Asquith, blamed “a continued decline in enrolment, combined with rising operational costs” for the decision. It lies within the Leeds West and Pudsey constituency where Chancellor Rachel Reeves is the local MP.
Malvern St James to accept boys for first time

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker

Malvern St James Girls’ School will be accepting boys from September 2025, the 132-year-old school has announced. The school, which has very recently joined the Galaxy Global Education Group (GGEG), will be known as Malvern St James School (MSJ). The decision follows in the footsteps of another prominent girls’ school – Godolphin in Salisbury – which announced in December 2023 that it would become co-educational.
Clare Rackham to be Langley's head of prep

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Dorothy Lepkowska |Irena Barker

Langley School in Norfolk, UK, has appointed Clare Rackham as its new head of prep, starting in September 2025. Clare has worked in education for 20 years and has been a senior leader for 11 years. She has worked as head of the state-funded, 700-pupil, Chipstead Valley Primary in Surrey for the past five years. Her experience includes the role of teaching school director, executive leadership coach and mentor, and the strategic lead for curriculum and artificial intelligence.
Lords vote against ending private school tax relief

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker |Nick Page

The House of Lords has voted against ending tax relief for private schools, The Standard reports. Peers supported an amendment to remove Clause 5 from the Non Domestic Rates (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, which dealt with the Government’s plan to remove business rates relief from independent schools run by charitable trusts. The amendment, proposed by Baroness Barran and Lord Storey, was passed last night with 232 votes to 141.
Former tank commander Mark Taylor to chair ISC

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker |Nick Page

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has appointed a former British army major and tank commander as interim chair as it prepares to support families in a legal challenge against VAT on fees. Mark Taylor succeeds former Harrow headmaster Barnaby Lenon, who has held the position since 2011. He will be the first bursar to have chaired three of the representative bodies for independent schools. He has already been vice chair of the ISC since 2021.