Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference

The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) is an association of the headmasters or headmistressess of 242 leading day and boarding independent schools in the United Kingdom, Crown dependencies and the Republic of Ireland. There are also International Members (mostly from the British Commonwealth) and a number of Additional Members who are elected as the head teachers of a limited number of outstanding state schools. The size of the Conference has grown - as late as the 1970s, membership was confined to a maximum of 200. It is one of the seven affiliated organisations of the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

The Conference dates from 1869 when Edward Thring, Headmaster of Uppingham, asked thirty-seven of his fellow headmasters to meet at his house to consider the formation of a "School Society and Annual Conference". Twelve accepted the invitationEdward Thring (Uppingham School), (Bromsgrove School), (Bury St Edmunds), (The King's School, Canterbury), (Felsted School), (Lancing College), (Liverpool College), (Norwich School), (Oakham School), (Repton School), (Richmond), (Sherborne School) and (Tonbridge School). (Source: [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1246165 IndigoSky] " [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1351060 Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference] " August 22, 2002 on the [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=E2%20FAQ%3A%20What%20is%20E2%3F everything website] ] and from that date there have been annual meetings. It changed its name from the "Headmasters' Conference" to the "Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference" in 1996. The current Chairman in Nigel Richardson of The Perse School, and the current general secretary is Geoff Lucas.

Membership of the HMC is often considered as what defines a school as a public school in England or Wales, placing it amongst the more prestigious private schools. [Tony Halpin " [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1806067,00.html Public schools plead to be let off fines over fee-fixing] " in The Times October 1, 2005 "The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference of leading public schools is due to hold its annual conference next week. "] . Not all "public schools" are in the HMC; in particular many notable girls' schools are not members (the HMC was historically meant for boys' schools only), including Wycombe Abbey, Roedean School and Benenden School.

HMC members

Below is a list of HMC member schools, and their headmaster or headmistress as of 1 November 2006.

England

* Abingdon School - Marc Turner
* Ackworth School - Peter J. Simpson
* Aldenham School - James Fowler
* Alleyn's School - Dr. Colin Diggory
* Ampleforth College - Rev. Gabriel Everitt
* Ardingly College - Peter Green
* Arnold School - Barry Hughes
* Ashville College - Andrew A.P. Fleck
* Bablake School - Dr. Stuart Nuttall
* Bancroft's School - Mrs Mary Ireland
* Barrington School - Dr. Arnold Hodge
* Batley Grammar School - Brian Battye
* Bedales School - Keith Budge
* Bedford School - Dr. Philip Evans OBE
* Bedford Modern School - Stephen Smith
* Berkhamsted Collegiate School - Mark S. Steed
* Birkdale School - Robert J. Court
* Birkenhead School - D. John Clark
* Bishop's Stortford College - John G. Trotman
* Bloxham School - Mark E. Allbrook
* Blundell's School - Ian Davenport
* Bolton School - Mervyn E. W. Brooker
* Bootham School - Jonathan F. J. Taylor
* Bradfield College - Peter J.M. Roberts
* Bradford Grammar School - Stephen R. Davidson
* Brentwood School - D. Ian Davies
* Brighton College - Richard Cairns
* Bristol Cathedral School - Kevin J. Riley
* Bristol Grammar School - Dr. David J. Mascord
* Bromsgrove School - Christopher Edwards
* Bryanston School - Sarah Thomas
* Buckswood School - Giles H. Sutton
* Bury Grammar School - Rev. Steven Harvey
* Canford School - John D. Lever
* Caterham School - J. Thomas
* Charterhouse School - Rev. John S. Witheridge
* Cheadle Hulme School - Paul Dixon
* Cheltenham College - John S. Richardson
* Chetham's School of Music - Claire Moreland
* Chigwell School - David F. Gibbs
* Christ College - D. Phillip Jones
* Christ's Hospital - Mr John Franklin
* Churcher's College - Simon H. Williams
* City of London Freemen's School - David C. Haywood
* City of London School - David R. Levin
* Clayesmore School - Martin G. Cooke
* Clifton College - Mr Mark Moore
* Colfe's School - Mr Richard Russell
* Colston's Collegiate School - Mr Peter Fraser
* Cranleigh School - Guy de W. Waller
* Culford School - Julian Johnson-Munday
* Dame Allan's School - Dr John R. Hind
* Dauntsey's School - Stewart B. Roberts
* Dean Close School - Revd. Timothy Hastie-Smith
* Denstone College - David M. Derbyshire
* Downside School - Dom. Leo Maidlow Davis
* Dulwich College - Graham G. Able
* Durham School - Neil G. Kern
* Eastbourne College - Simon Davies
* Ellesmere College - Brendan J. Wignall
* Eltham College - Paul J. Henderson
* Emanuel School - Mark Hanley-Browne
* Epsom College - Stephen R. Borthwick
* Eton College - Tony R. M Little
* Exeter School - Bob Griffin
* Felsted School Dr Michael Walker
* Forest School - Andrew G. Boggis "(current chairman)"
* Framlingham College - Gwen M. Randall
* Frensham Heights School - Andrew J.H. Fisher
* Giggleswick School - Geoffrey P. Boult
* The Grange School - David Shaw
* Gresham's School - Philip D. John
* Guildford High School for Girls - Mrs Fiona Boulton
* The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School - Peter B. Hamilton
* Haileybury and Imperial Service College - Stuart A. Westley
* Hampton School - Barry R. Martin
* Harrow School - Barnaby J. Lenon
* Hereford Cathedral School - Paul A. Smith
* Highgate School - Adam Pettitt
* Hulme Grammar School - Dr Paul G. Neeson
* Hurstpierpoint College - Tim Manly
* Hymers College - David C. Elstone
* Ipswich School - Ian G. Galbraith
* The John Lyon School - Kevin Riley
* Kelly College - Dr Graham Hawley
* Kent College - David Lamper
* Kimbolton School - Jonathan Belbin
* King Edward VII and Queen Mary School - Robert J. Karling
* King Edward's School, Bath - Crispin Rowe
* King Edward's School, Birmingham - John A. Claughton
* King Edward VI School, Southampton - A. Julian Thould
* King Edward's School, Witley - P. Kerr Fulton-Peebles
* King Henry VIII School - George D. Fisher
* King's College, Taunton - Christopher D. Ramsey
* King's College School - Anthony C. V. Evans
* King's School, Bruton - Nigel M. Lashbrook
* The King's School, Canterbury - Nicholas Clements
* The King's School, Chester - Tim J. Turvey
* The King's School, Ely - Sue Freestone
* The King's School, Gloucester - Peter Lacey
* The King's School, Macclesfield - Dr Stephen Coyne
* The King's School, Rochester - Dr Ian R. Walker
* The King's School, Tynemouth - Philip J. S. Cantwell
* The King's School, Worcester - Timothy H. Keyes
* Kingston Grammar School - C. Duncan Baxter
* Kingswood School - Simon Morris
* Kirkham Grammar School - Douglas R. Walker
* Lancing College - Jonathan Gillespie
* Latymer Upper School - Peter J. Winter
* Leeds Grammar School - Dr. Mark Bailey
* Leicester Grammar School - Christopher P. M. King
* Leighton Park School - John H. Dunston
* The Leys School - Mark Slater
* Liverpool College - Brian Christian
* Lord Wandsworth College - Ian G. Power
* Loughborough Grammar School - Paul B. Fisher
* Magdalen College School - Andrew D. Halls
* Malvern College - Antony R. Clark
* Manchester Grammar School - Dr. Chris Ray
* Marlborough College - Nicholas A. Sampson
* Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby - David Cook
* Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood - Stephen N. Wright
* Millfield - Peter M. Johnson
* Mill Hill School - William R. Winfield
* Monkton Combe School - Michael J. Cuthbertson
* Mount St Mary's College - Philip G. MacDonald
* Newcastle-under-Lyme School - Nicholas Rugg
* New College, Worcester (RNIB) - ?
* Norwich School - Jim Hawkins
* Nottingham High School - Kevin Fear
* Oakham School - Dr Joseph Spence
* The Oratory School - Clive I. Dytor
* Oundle School - Charles Bush
* Pangbourne College - Mr. Thomas Garnier
* The Perse School - Nigel P. V. Richardson
* Plymouth College - Dr. S. Wormleighton
* Pocklington School - Mark Ronan
* The Portsmouth Grammar School - Dr. Timothy R. Hands
* Prior Park College - Dr. R. Giles G. Mercer
* Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn - Simon Corns
* Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield - Michael R. Gibbons
* Queen Elizabeth's Hospital - Stephen W. Holliday
* Queen's College - Christopher J. Alcock
* Radley College - Angus W. McPhail
* Ratcliffe College - Peter Farrar
* Reading Blue Coat School - S. James W. McArthur
* Reed's School - David W. Jarrett
* Reigate Grammar School - David Thomas
* Rendcomb College - Gerry Holden
* Repton School - Robert A. Holroyd
* Rossall School - Timothy J. Wilbur
* Royal Grammar School, Guildford - Dr Jon Cox
* Royal Grammar School, Newcastle - James F. X. Miller
* RGS Worcester and The Alice Ottley School - Andrew R. Rattue
* The Royal Hospital School - Howard W. Blackett
* Royal Russell School - Dr John R. Jennings
* Rugby School - Patrick S. J. Derham
* Ryde School - Dr. Nicholas J. England
* St Albans School - Andrew R. Grant
* St Bede's College - John Byrne
* St. Bees School - Philip J. Capes
* St Benedict's School - Christopher J. Cleugh
* St Columba's College, St Albans - Nicholas O’Sullivan
* St Dunstan's College - Jane Davies
* St Edmund's College - C.P. Long
* St Edmund's School - A. Nicholas Ridley
* St Edward's School, Oxford - Andrew Trotman
* St George's College, Weybridge - Joseph A. Peake
* St John's School, Leatherhead - Nicholas J.R. Haddock
* St Lawrence College - Rev. C.W. Mark Aitken
* St Mary's College - Jean M. Marsh
* St. Olave's Grammar School - Anthony Jarvis
* St Paul's School - Dr George Martin Stephen
* St Peter's School - Richard I. Smyth
* Sedbergh School - Christopher H. Hirst
* Sevenoaks School - Katy L. Ricks
* Sherborne School - Simon F. Eliot
* Shiplake College - A. Gregg S. Davies
* Shrewsbury School - Jeremy W. R. Goulding
* Silcoates School - A. Paul Spillane
* Solihull School - Philip Griffiths
* Stamford School - Stuart A. Burns
* Stockport Grammar School - Andrew Chicken
* Stonyhurst College - Andrew R. Johnson
* Stowe School - Dr Anthony K. Wallersteiner
* Sutton Valence School - Joe S. Davies
* Taunton School - Dr John H. Newton
* Tettenhall College - Dr. Peter C. Bodkin
* Tonbridge School - Tim Haynes
* Trent College - Gill Dixon
* Trinity School - Mark Bishop
* Truro School - Paul K. Smith
* University College School - Kenneth J. Durham
* Uppingham School - Richard S Harman
* Warwick School - Edward Halse
* Wellingborough School - Garry R. Bowe
* Wellington College - Dr Anthony Seldon
* Wellington School - Alan J. Rogers
* Wells Cathedral School - Elizabeth Cairncross
* West Buckland School - John F. Vick
* Westminster School - Dr Stephen Spurr
* Whitgift School - Dr. Christopher A. Barnett
* William Hulme's Grammar School - Stephen R. Patriarca
* Winchester College - Dr. Ralph Townsend
* Wisbech Grammar School - Bob S. Repper
* Wolverhampton Grammar School - Dr. Bernard St. J. Trafford "(current vice chairman)"
* Woodbridge School - Stephen H. Cole
* Woodhouse Grove School - David C. Humphreys
* Worksop College - Roy A. Collard
* Worth School - Peter J. Armstrong
* Woldingham School - Diana A. Vernon
* Wrekin College - Stephen G. Drew
* Wycliffe College (Gloucestershire) - Dr R. Tony Collins
* Yarm School - David M. Dunn

Scotland

* Dollar Academy - John S. Robertson
* High School of Dundee - A. Michael Duncan
* The Edinburgh Academy - John V. Light
* Fettes College - Michael C. B. Spens
* George Heriot's School - Alistair G. Hector
* George Watson's College - Gareth H. Edwards
* The Glasgow Academy - Peter Brodie
* The High School of Glasgow - Colin D.R. Mair
* Glenalmond College - Gordon C. Woods
* Hutchesons' Grammar School - Dr. Kenneth Greig
* Kelvinside Academy - John L. Broadfoot
* Lomond School - Angus MacDonald
* Loretto School - Michael B. Mavor CVO
* Merchiston Castle School - Andrew R. Hunter
* Morrison's Academy - Simon Pengelley
* Robert Gordon's College - Hugh Ouston
* St Aloysius' College - John Stoer
* St. Columba's School, Kilmacolm - David Girdwood
* Stewart's Melville College - J. N. David Gray
* Strathallan School - Bruce K. Thompson

Wales

* Llandovery College - Peter A. Hogan
* Monmouth School - Dr Steven Connors
* Rydal Penrhos - Michael S. James
* Rougemont School - Jonathan Tribbick

Northern Ireland

* Bangor Grammar School - Stephen Connolly
* Belfast Royal Academy - William S. F. Young
* Campbell College - Mr Jay A Piggot
* Coleraine Academical Institution - Dr David Carruthers
* Foyle and Londonderry College - Mr W J Magill
* Methodist College Belfast - Mr Naismith
* Portora Royal School - J. Neill Morton
* Royal Belfast Academical Institution - Miss J Williamson

Guernsey

* Elizabeth College - Dr Nicholas D. Argent

Jersey

* Victoria College - Robert G. Cook

Isle of Man

* King William's College - Dr Sarah Welch

Republic of Ireland

* Clongowes Wood College - Fr. Leonard Moloney SJ
* The King's Hospital - Frances J. Hill
* St Columba's College, Dublin - Dr Lindsay Haslett
* Castleknock College - Mr Andrew McGeady

International Members

Africa

* Diocesan College (Bishops), Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa - Grant Nupen
* Hilton College, Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Michael Nicholson
* Michaelhouse, Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Guy Pearson
* Peterhouse, Marondera, Zimbabwe
* St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa - David Wylde
* St George's College, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
* St Stithians College, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa - Stephen Lowry

Canada

* Hillfield Strathallan College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
* Ridley College, St Catharine's, Ontario, Canada
* Shawnigan Lake School, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada
* St Andrew's College, Aurora, Ontario, Canada
* Upper Canada College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Latin America

* Academia Britanica Cuscatleca, Santa Tecla, El Salvador, Central America
* Markham College, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
* St Andrew's Scots School, Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
* St George's College, Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
* St. George's College North, Los Polvorines, Buenos Aires, Argentina
* St. Paul's College, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bermuda

* Saltus Grammar School, Hamilton, Bermuda

Europe

* British School of Brussels, Tervuren, Belgium
* The British School in the Netherlands, Voorschoten, The Netherlands
* The British School of Paris, Croissy sur Seine, France
* Campion School, Pallini, Athens, Greece
* The English School, Nicosia, Cyprus
* The English College in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
* Runnymede College, La Moraleja, Madrid, Spain
* King's College, Soto de Vinuelas, Madrid, Spain
* St Edward's College, Vittoriosa, Malta
* St George's British International School, Rome, Italy
* St Julian's School, Carcavelos, Portugal

Hong Kong

* Island School, Hong Kong
* King George V School, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Middle East

* The Indian School Al Ghubra, Sultanate of Oman (Persian Gulf)

Australia

* All Saints' College, Bull Creek, Willetton, Western Australia
* Barker College, Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia
* Brighton Grammar School, Brighton, Victoria, Australia
* Camberwell Grammar School, Canterbury, Victoria, Australia
* Canberra Grammar School, Red Hill, ACT, Australia
* Caulfield Grammar School, East St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
* Christ Church Grammar School, Claremont, Western Australia
* Cranbrook School, Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia
* The Geelong College, Newtown, Victoria, Australia
* Geelong Grammar School, Corio, Victoria, Australia
* Guildford Grammar School, Guildford, Western Australia
* Haileybury College, Keysborough, Victoria, Australia
* Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia
* The King's School, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
* Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia
* Melbourne Grammar School, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
* Mentone Grammar School, Mentone, Victoria, Australia
* Pembroke School, Kensington Park, South Australia
* St Peter's College, St. Peters, South Australia
* Scotch College, Torrens Park, South Australia
* Scotch College, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
* Scotch College, Claremont, Western Australia
* The Scots College, Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia
* Sydney Church of England Grammar School, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
* Sydney Grammar School, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
* Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill, New South Wales, Australia
* Wesley College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
* Westbourne Grammar School, Werribee, Victoria, Australia

New Zealand

* Wanganui Collegiate School, Wanganui New Zealand
* King's College, Auckland, New Zealand
* Christ's College, Christchurch, New Zealand

Indian subcontinent

* Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan
* Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Himachal Prabesh, India
* The Cathedral and John Connon School, Marg Fort, Mumbai, India
* The International School Bangalore, Bangalore, India

South East Asia

* Jerudong International School, Bandar Seri Begwan, Brunei Darussalam
* British International School, Jakarta
* Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar, Mantin NSDK, Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia

Additional members

*The City Academy Bristol, Russell Town Square, Bristol, BS5 9JH
*Bournemouth School, East Way, Bournemouth BH8 9PY
*Chesham High School, White Hill, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1BA
*The Crypt School, Podsmead Road, Gloucester, GL2 5AE
*George Stephenson Community High School, Southgate, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 0SA - Anne Welsh
*Greenford High School, Ruislip Road, Greenford, Middx UB6 9RX - Kate Griffin
*Gordon's School, West End, Woking, Surrey GU24 9 PT
*Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, Pepys Road, New Cross, London SE14 5SF - Dr Elizabeth M Sidwell
*Lancaster Royal Grammar School, East Road, Lancaster LA1 3EF
*The Latymer School, Haselbury Road, Edmonton, London N9 9 TN
*Nailsea Community School, Mizzymead Road, Nailsea, North Somerset BS48 2HN
*Northampton Academy, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, NN3 8NH - The Rt Revd Peter Hullah
*Pate's Grammar School, Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 0HG
*St Ambrose College, Hale Barns, Altrincham, Greater Manchester WA15 0HE
*St Anselm's College, Manor Hill, Birkenhead CH43 1UQ
*St. Edward's College, North Drive, Sandfield Park, West Derby, Liverpool L12 1LF - John Waszek
*St Olave's Grammar School, Goddington Lane, Orpington, Kent BR6 9SH
*Welbeck College - The Defence Sixth Form College, Forest Road, Woodhouse, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 8WD

See also

* Public school
* Independent school (UK)
* List of independent schools in the United Kingdom
* Association of Representatives of Old Pupils Societies
* Girls' Schools Association

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.hmc.org.uk/ HMC website]