Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference

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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 invitation[1] 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.[1] The current Chairman is 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.[2]. 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.

Contents

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

British School of Paris, Croissy sur Seine, France

Hong Kong

Middle East

Australia

New Zealand

Indian subcontinent

South East Asia

Additional members

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ 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. "

External links