SLT & Governors
Our Leadership
Meet Our Senior Leadership Team
Our experienced leadership team brings together decades of educational expertise and a shared commitment to excellence.
James Neville
Headmaster
Headmaster of Loughborough Grammar School, James Neville is passionate about the transformative power of education and brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership in the independent day, boarding and maintained sectors.
In his previous role as Head of Loughborough Amherst School, he oversaw unprecedented improvement in academic performance and an outstanding ISI Inspection Report (2024) which featured a coveted ‘significant strength’ for teaching and learning.
Before becoming Head within the Loughborough Schools Foundation, James was Vice Principal in the maintained sector at English Martyrs’, and before that, Assistant Head (Sixth Form) at the HMC boarding school, Ratcliffe College. His career began in Wales, and as Assistant Head (Academic) at St John’s College Cardiff, the School achieved its highest results at A Level (98% A* – B), leading to a top ten position in national league tables.
Originally from Cardiff, James graduated in Modern History from Magdalen College Oxford before completing an MPhil at King’s College Cambridge. At Cambridge he was a Choral Scholar in the world-renowned Choir of King’s College. James is married with two children who are pupils in the Loughborough Schools Foundation.
Ben Arrowsmith
Deputy HEAD (ACADEMIC)
Ben was a student at Loughborough Grammar School between 1985 and 1992, before attending Leeds University where he studied Biotechnology.
After his studies, he worked as a Research Assistant at Leicester University in the Medical Sciences Department, where working with the undergraduate students inspired him to leave research and go into teaching.
He completed his PGCE at Loughborough University in 1998 and worked for many years in the maintained sector where he took on a range of roles involved in curriculum development and teaching and learning.
In 2016 Ben left his position as Head of Science at De Lisle School, and took the opportunity to return to the school he loved as Head of Chemistry
In September 2025, he became a member of the Senior Leadership Team, taking on the role of Deputy Head Academic. He is a strong believer in using research informed methods and cognitive science to ensure the efficacy of teaching and learning.
Ben is married with 3 children – two of which, so far, have benefitted from the education at the foundation.
Tom Emmet
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Tom Emmet developed a strong interest in child development and education through early experiences working with gifted and talented young people in North Wales, placements in a 3–13 prep school in Leicestershire, and involvement in NHS intervention schemes.
He studied Psychology at Cardiff University before completing a PGCE at the University of Bristol, specialising in active citizenship. His teaching career began at John Cleveland College, where he was Head of Social Sciences and a rugby coach.
He then held a number of roles at Solihull School, including Head of Psychology, Head of Sixth Form, and Assistant Head (Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead).
Tom joined Loughborough Grammar School in 2023 as Deputy Head (Pastoral). He is committed to promoting proactive pastoral care through positive and supportive leadership in Education.
Outside school, Tom is a proud husband and father of two boys. He enjoys all sports, with particular interests in rugby, cycling, and outdoor adventures.
Al Waters
Assistant Head of Operations & Pupil Experience
Al Waters teaches Biology and is a proud family man with two children who are both enjoying an education within our family of schools.
Drawing on his experiences from a variety of schools, Al has shaped the co-curricular programme into a broad and vibrant mix of opportunities which enable pupils to build personal and transferable skills while supporting their individual growth.
Outside of school, Al loves nothing better than a good walk in the hills. He loves to walk alone, with others and even more so if it’s challenging.
Governors
The Governing Body makes decisions for all three of the Schools which, together, form the Loughborough Schools Foundation (Fairfield Prep School, Loughborough Grammar School and Loughborough High School). Regular meetings are held of both the whole Governing Body and of the sub committees and the Grammar School, like the three other Schools in the Foundation, is represented by the Head of the School. For enquiries or to contact a member of the Governing Body, please email secretary.board@lsf.org.
Simon Leese
Chair of Governors
After Durham University, Simon started his teaching career at Worksop College, before moving to Loughborough Grammar School in 1981. He taught physics, was resident housemaster in School House, and latterly was Head of Sixth Form. His wife Jane taught at Fairfield, and their three children went through the schools.
In 2005, he was appointed Headmaster of Christ’s College, Christchurch, New Zealand. Challenges presented included recovery from the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, but Simon attaches as much satisfaction to cultural and attitudinal changes in the early years of this most traditional of schools.
Twelve years later, thoughts of retirement were put aside with a move to the recently opened Prince of Wales Island International School in Penang, Malaysia. In five years, the school was taken to international award recognition and a new primary school conceived and created, while the international schools’ community provided a wealth of experience, as well as travel and networking opportunities across Asia.
Returning to their home in Woodhouse in 2020, Simon has enjoyed reconnecting locally. His regard for the foundation goes back a long way, but his interest is in the future.
In his spare time Simon enjoys his classic sports cars and keeping up with his three LSF alumni and their families in London and New York.
Katie Basey
Chair of LGS
Katharine was born in Yorkshire at her father’s behest; at the time only being able to play for the county cricket team if you were born within a county. She grew up and was educated in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Katharine achieved a BSc Hons in Geography from University of Lancaster later converting this to a post graduate diploma in Law at Nottingham and then qualified as a solicitor in 2006.
Since 2009 Katharine has been a partner of a local legal firm Alexander & Co Solicitors LLP which has offices across Derby and in Loughborough. Katharine specialises in residential and commercial property.
Katharine is also known as Katie, is married and has one daughter who attends Fairfield Preparatory School, living locally to Loughborough.
Richard Bailey
Governor
Richard Bailey was educated at Fairfield Preparatory School and Loughborough Grammar School, following which he studied agriculture at Harper Adams.
Richard has worked in a number of roles alongside running the family business, including running a Wedding and Events Business, being a member of various statutory committees, working in rural insurance, being a Borough Councillor and is currently a Trustee of the Outwoods and a Governor of a secondary school in Loughborough.
Richard lives on the outskirts of Loughborough and has a daughter at LHS.
