Simon Henderson (born 1976) is a British teacher. He has been Head Master of

Eton College Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, ...

since 2015, having previously served as headmaster of

Bradfield College Bradfield College, formally St Andrew's College, Bradfield, is a public school (English independent day and boarding school) for pupils aged 11–18, located in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire. It is note ...

Education

Henderson studied at

Winchester College Winchester College is a public school (fee-charging independent day and boarding school) in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It was founded by William of Wykeham in 1382 and has existed in its present location ever since. It is the oldest of ...

, and later received a bachelor degree and

Postgraduate Certificate in Education The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE/PGCertEd) is a one- or two-year higher education course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which provides training in order to allow graduates to become teachers within maintained schools. In ...

(PGCE) in history from the

University of Oxford , mottoeng = The Lord is my light , established = , endowment = £6.1 billion (including colleges) (2019) , budget = £2.145 billion (2019–20) , chancellor ...

where he was a student of Brasenose College, Oxford.

Career

Henderson first worked as a history and politics teacher at The Windsor Boys' School, before joining

in 2001; he soon became head of history at the school. From 2009, he served as Deputy Head of

Sherborne School (God and My Right) , established = 705 by Aldhelm, re-founded by King Edward VI 1550 , closed = , type = Public school Independent, boarding school , religion = Church of England , president = , chair_label = Chairman of the governors ...

. He left Sherborne in 2011 when he was appointed Headmaster of

Eton College

In 2015, Henderson was appointed Head Master of Eton College, being the youngest so far at 39 years old. In the same year, he became a governor of

Holyport College Holyport College is a mixed boarding free school (the boarding option for students is not free). The school is located in Holyport, Berkshire, England. It opened in 2014 and caters for students aged 11–19 years. It is sponsored by Eton Coll ...

and the London Academy of Excellence. During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, he expanded Eton's online learning platform EtonX to state pupils and opened the school's accommodation to

Key worker A key worker, critical worker or essential worker is a public-sector or private-sector employee who is considered to provide an essential service. The term has been used in the United Kingdom in the context of workers who may find it difficult t ...

s. He stated his interest in widening the school's intake to those of different backgrounds, saying "we want talented boys to be able to come to Eton whatever their financial circumstances". In response to a parent and alumni-led petition after the

murder of George Floyd On , George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was murdered in the U.S. city of Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, a 44-year-old white police officer. Floyd had been arrested on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill. Chauvin knelt on Floyd's ...

in May 2020, he pledged to focus more on teaching about systemic racism and "decolonising" aspects of the school. He also stated he would increase efforts in diversifying the faculty after it was pointed out that there were only two black teachers at the school.

Personal life

Henderson's wife, Ali, worked as a civil servant at 10 Downing Street under

Tony Blair Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He previously served as Leader of th ...

and

Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Tony B ...

. She is now the Chief Executive o
Royal SpringBoard
a social mobility charity. They have two sons and two daughters.

References

Living people 1976 births Alumni of Brasenose College, Oxford People educated at Winchester College Head Masters of Eton College Headmasters of Bradfield College {{Edu-bio-stub