Toby Mullins announced as Chair of the United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation

September 16 2020

Toby Mullins announced as Chair of the United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation

We were pleased to work with the United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation on the appointment of its new Chair, Toby Mullins, following our earlier work to identify its first ever Chief Executive, Dr Gordon Carver and more recently, HR Director. Speaking of our work for the Foundation, Gordon remarked:

“Wild Search have assisted our Foundation in successfully recruiting both a new Chair of Trustees and an HR Director.  In both cases, they rapidly understood what the organisation needed in these positions, they mobilised with sensible and attractive candidate briefs, and went out of their way to promote the roles widely.  They were responsive to our feedback, and ran an efficient and professional service.  We would be delighted to work with Wild Search in the future, and recommend them highly.”

Exporting Educational Excellence - To be published next week

We will be holding an online panel discussion with contributors to launch the publication on 17 September at 4pm. Please be in touch with Amy Wevill if you would like to join on aw@wildsearch.org.

10 September 2020

Exporting Educational Excellence - To be published next week

We are delighted to announce that our next report, ‘Exporting Educational Excellence: British Schools Overseas’ will be published and available for download from 17 September.

This is our second report to bring together insights from those establishing British schools and education businesses overseas. It considers topics including the importance of the investor relationship, how to maintain integrity and carry the school’s ethos through to an international location, building the right leadership structure and why, despite a challenging year on many fronts, we should remain optimistic. 

Many thanks to the Alpha Plus Group for their continued support as well as all the contributors; The Lord Bilimoria CBE CL; Pam Mundy (ACS International Schools), Mark Hanley-Browne (Alpha Plus), Dr Maghin Tamilarasan (Shrewsbury School), Richard Devey and Lisa Kerr (Gordonstoun), Peter Green (Rugby School), George Budd and Victoria Eastman (Moreton Hall) and Shaun Fenton (Reigate Grammar).

Advancing Autism - Forthcoming Wild Research report

Please be in touch with Amy Wevill if you would like to share your thoughts on these themes or to be involved on aw@wildsearch.org.

7 September 2020

Contributions welcome - Advancing Autism: Working Together for Improved Outcomes

Wild Research are working with Beyond Autism to prepare a report to build a national dialogue that focuses on shared goals within the autism community. We hope that by doing so the landscape could become less confusing for those with autism as well as carers, and to improve the ability to influence local authorities on critical decisions and national government policies.

The publication will bring together a range of voices from those working in this area and seeking the best outcomes for and with those with autism. We hope to demonstrate that, although there are different views and interpretations of extensive research, there is also common ground, and more that brings the community together than divides it.

Article on Dr Wendy Piatt's appointment as Chief Executive of Gresham College

July 17 2020

Wendy Piatt’s appointment in leadership news.

Hunt Scanlon reported on Wendy Piatt’s appointment as Chief Executive of Gresham College, including a quote from the Chair, Loyd Grossman;

“My fellow trustees and I are very excited about these two appointments and feel that Simon and Wendy will bring even more new thinking and dynamism to our venerable, but forward-looking and innovative institution.

With these two senior leaders Gresham College will bring the world’s best thinking to an even wider audience.”

The article also reminded readers of Wild Search’s commitment to its clients and offer to provide pro bono consultation to those facing a challenging time in the current pandemic and economic crisis. Please be in touch if you would like to discuss: info@wildsearch.org.

Ed Barker appointed Head of Policy & External Affairs at the AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation)

July 10 2020

Ed Barker has been appointed Head of Policy & External Affairs at the AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation)

Wild Search is pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Barker as Head of Policy and External Affairs at the AIC. Ed will join the organisation in late August following three years at the National Pig Association as Senior Policy adviser.

There has been good press interest across the agricultural sector including pieces in Pig World and AgriTrade News.

Wild Search were pleased to have worked with the AIC on this important appointment and wish Ed every success in his new role.

Wild Search Education news roundup

Wild Search Education news roundup

30th June 2020

Full time in September?

The Prime Minister announced last week that all pupils can return to full-time education in September. How this can happen will be explained this Thursday, says the FT. They report that measures may include dropping non-core subjects, fines for non-attendance, the establishment of (sometimes quite large) bubbles, staggered school days and dropping social distancing.

However, the feasibility of having all students back in September is being questioned by Steve Chalke, the head of the Oasis chain of Academies, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, education unions and others.

Will Thursday’s announcements be enough to reassure them or will the government need to temper their plans?

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A Turn to Tutoring

Will Orr Ewing celebrates the government’s decision to put forward £350 million for the establishment of a National Tutoring Programme, allowing schools to access subsidised tutoring to help children catch up.

Will is the founder of Keystone Tutors, one of a number of tutoring companies who offered their services for free or at a reduced rate during the pandemic to key workers or those with limited means.

He argues that the DfE should encourage online deliver, a format to which tutors are better accustomed than classroom teachers, so that children in more remote areas are given the same standard. Also, he urges that quality is prioritised, rather than purely children to tutor ratios or number of hours. In addition, integration with existing virtual learning programmes to quickly identify challenging areas for the student would allow for more focused sessions, he suggests.

He notes that it has been 150 years since education became compulsory in this country and wonders whether this turn to tutoring will outlast the corona-related challenges, and as Gavin Williamson suggests could lead to ‘long term reform to the education sector’.  

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University Research Support Package

Low interest loans and government grants will be available to support universities’ research work, Business Secretary Alok Sharma announced on Sunday. These can cover up to 80% of income losses caused by a decline in international students.

There will also be around £200 million in government investment for immediate support and a further £80 million to be distributed by UKRI.

Sharma said “The support we are putting in place will give our world-leading universities a lifeline by protecting jobs to ensure our best minds can continue discovering new innovations that will benefit us all for generations to come.”

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