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Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference

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The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference
AbbreviationHMC
Formation1869
TypeNon-governmental organization
PurposeEducational accreditation
Location
Region served
United Kingdom
Membership
243 schools
General Secretary
Geoff Lucas
AffiliationsISC
Websitehmc.org.uk

The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) is an association of the headmasters or headmistressess of 243 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 Commonwealth) and a number of Additional Members who are elected as the head teachers of a limited number of outstanding state schools.

Structure

The size of the Conference has grown - as late as the 1970s, membership was confined to a maximum of 200. The most recent addition to the HMC was Mr Damian Ettinger of Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire, who was invited to join on 18 March 2009. It is one of the seven affiliated organisations of the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

History

The Conference dates from 1869 when Edward Thring, Headmaster of Uppingham, asked sixty to seventy of his fellow headmasters,[1][2] to meet at his house to consider the formation of a "School Society and Annual Conference".[3] Fourteen accepted the invitation,[1] and twelve were present for the whole of the initial meeting,[4] 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.[4] The current Chairman is Andrew Grant of St. Albans School, and the current general secretary is Geoff Lucas.

Distinction between public and private school

Membership of the HMC is often considered as what defines a school as a public school in England or Wales, placing it above the less prestigious private schools.[5] 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 Cheltenham Ladies' College, 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

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

Guernsey

Jersey

Isle of Man

Republic of Ireland

International Members

Africa

Canada

Latin America

Bermuda

Europe

Hong Kong

Middle East

Australia

New Zealand

Pakistan

India

South East Asia

Additional members

See also

Public school (UK)]]

Video clips

References

  1. ^ a b Leinster-Mackay, Donald P. The educational world of Edward Thring: a centenary study, Falmer Press, 1987, ISBN 1-85000-253-3, 9781850002536. p. 100
  2. ^ Other sources including some Headmasters' Conference papers say "Uppingham asked thirty-seven of his fellow headmasters ..." (Headmasters' Conference. Independent schools yearbook: Official book of reference at the Headmasters' Conference ..., A & C Black, 1987 p. xlv)
  3. ^ Headmasters' Conference, The Public and preparatory schools year book, Adam & Charles Black, 1968 p. 3
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Edward 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: IndigoSky Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference 22 August 2002 on the everything website
  5. ^ Tony Halpin Public schools plead to be let off fines over fee-fixing in The Times 1 October 2005 "The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference of leading public schools is due to hold its annual conference next week. "
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