About Us

The Board is made up of Heads from its three Patron Associations:

• Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC)
• Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
• Girls' Schools Association (GSA)

The Board is led by a Chair, supported by three Vice-Chairs, one from each of the Associations.

Chair: Mr Durell Barnes

Durell Barnes brings to ISEB his extensive experience in the independent school sector and beyond. For over ten years he was Deputy Director and Head of Communications at the Independent Schools Inspectorate where he was responsible for safeguarding and quality assurance, liaising on these matters with the Department for Education, Ofsted, the Independent Schools Council and its member associations, governors, heads, staff, parents, pupil and the press. Prior to this, Durell spent over twenty years teaching in ISC schools, latterly as a Deputy Head in two schools where he led on curriculum, teaching and learning, performance management and appraisal. He has taught A-level history, French, ancient history and English, as well as politics, religious studies, art history and PSHE.

Vice Chair: Ms Jane Gandee

Jane Gandee is the Headmistress of St Swithun's School in Winchester. Prior to that she was Director of Studies at The City of London School for Girls and Head of Modern Languages at Queenswood School. Jane served on the Board's Academic Committee for Languages and Classics before being elected to her current post as Vice-Chair representing GSA.

Vice Chair: Mrs Emma Goldsmith

Emma Goldsmith is Head of The Dragon, a co-educational day and boarding Prep School in Oxford. Prior to this she was Head of Winchester House Prep School, where she won Head of the Year at the Tatler Awards in 2019 and previously Deputy Head of Bloxham School following teaching English at Oakham School and Rugby School. She is currently a governor at Cheltenham College having also governed an IAPS prep school and HMC senior school.

Vice Chair: Dr Alex Peterken

Alex Peterken was appointed as Headmaster of Charterhouse in January 2018. Prior to moving to Charterhouse, Alex spent seven years as Headmaster of Cheltenham College. Alex served on the Board's Academic Committee for Humanities and English before being appointed as the Vice-Chair representing HMC.

Other Board members

In attendance at Board and Committee meetings

In attendance at Education Committee meetings

Members of Academic Committees advising the Board

(Further members to be confirmed)