The Board of Governors for the Loughborough Schools Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr James Neville as the new permanent Head of Loughborough Grammar School.
Mr Neville, who will start his new role on 24 February 2025, is currently Headmaster of Loughborough Amherst School, which is also part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation. Since his arrival at Amherst in September 2023, the School has undergone a rapid transformation as highlighted by an unprecedented improvement in academic performance. In summer 2024, the percentage of grades 9-7 at GCSE increased by 15% and at A Level, the percentage of A*/A grades increased by 18% on the previous year.
Mrs Helen Foster, who was appointed as Head of Loughborough Grammar School on a fixed-term basis in April 2023, is leaving the Foundation at the end of November.
Mr Neville will bring to Loughborough Grammar School a wealth of experience as a highly successful school leader. Before taking up the headship of Amherst, he was previously Senior Vice Principal at English Martyrs’ School in Leicester, and before that, Assistant Head (Sixth Form) at Ratcliffe College. He began his career at one of Wales’ leading independent schools, St John’s College in Cardiff, where he rose through the ranks to Assistant Head (Academic).
Mr Neville is a graduate of Oxford and Cambridge universities, having read Modern History at Magdalen College Oxford before completing an MPhil at King’s College Cambridge. Alongside his academic studies, he was a Choral Scholar in the world-renowned Choir of King’s College.
Reflecting on his new role, Mr Neville said: “I am honoured to lead this historic school. Drawing on the best of tradition and innovation, I look forward to working together with staff, pupils and parents to develop an ambitious vision for the years ahead. This will focus on providing a first-class education, underpinned by a happy, aspirational ethos in which every pupil can thrive.”
Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr Roger Harrison, said: “Having seen the impact Mr Neville has made in such a short time at Amherst, we are delighted to welcome him to the Grammar School. His leadership skills, academic rigour and values-based approach are exactly what is required to take the School forward. With his proven track record of fostering both academic excellence and a supportive school community, we look forward to seeing the positive impact of his leadership as we enter this exciting new chapter for the School.
“Mrs Foster leaves the Foundation with our sincere thanks for her hard work and dedication to the Grammar School over the past six years. We wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”
