Aldenham Foundation (the group encompassing Aldenham School, Aldenham Prep School, Aldenham Nursery, St Hilda’s Prep School and Bluebird Nursery) is proud to announce the appointment of the new Head of The Aldenham Foundation, Mrs Alex Hems, from the start of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Alex Hems will take up her new role when she moves from her current post as Head of St George’s School in Edinburgh, following a career in which she has worked in many of the top schools in the UK. Educated at St Helen’s Northwood and Somerville College, Oxford, she began her teaching career at Alleyn’s School, before working at St Paul’s Girls’ School,  North London Collegiate School and Francis Holland School. She was then appointed as Deputy Head of Wycombe Abbey before moving to Scotland. Her wide experience of empowering pupils to believe in themselves and in what they can achieve will serve her very well in her new role. There is no doubt that she will continue to empower and inspire young people here in Hertfordshire.

As a group, Aldenham is dedicated to providing an all-round education. It understands that, for children, being at school is about far more than just academia. Aldenham appreciates and embraces its responsibility to help the children in its care to develop in and out of the classroom. This passion is something that Hems is especially excited to embrace: “By taking on challenges, both in and out of the classroom, young people learn about who they are and start to shape the person they wish to be. The breadth of opportunity in sport, music, drama and leadership that is available at Aldenham offers such a rich seedbed for the growth of personal confidence that is the best foundation for academic flourishing as well.”

Due to take over her new role in September 2022, Alex shares her delight to be joining the group at Aldenham: “I am honoured to have been appointed to this role and am very much looking forward to taking up my post next year. On my first visit to Aldenham I was deeply impressed by the young people whom I met and their mature appreciation of what the school has given to them. I am keen to get to know the parents, students and staff of the Foundation, and excited to be joining such a friendly, forward-looking group of schools.”

James Fowler, Outgoing Headmaster at Aldenham Foundation, commented on the new appointment: “There is no doubt in my mind that Alex Hems is the ideal candidate for this role. Her passion for a well-rounded education marries perfectly with our attitude here at Aldenham, and her commitment to empowering children to explore and embrace their unique character is truly inspirational. Having been a part of the team at Aldenham Foundation for 16 years, I am delighted to pass the baton to someone so capable and l look forward to seeing what she can bring to the schools under her tenure.”