Magdalen College School appoints leading London Head

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Alan Bird – currently Head of City of London School – to succeed Helen Pike as the next Master of MCS when she reaches the end of her eleven years at the helm in August next year.

Alan was the unanimous choice in a highly competitive field of outstanding candidates and brings exceptional experience of leadership at some of the UK’s top schools – including Tonbridge School and Brighton College.

At City of London, whilst ensuring ongoing academic, pastoral and co-curricular excellence, he has pioneered the innovative ‘City Ready’ careers programme and expanded teaching of emerging subjects such as AI and robotics, to ensure pupils are equipped to flourish in their future lives. He has continued to deepen the links with City of London School for Girls, including with the creation of the co-educational City Junior School in 2022, and with a Joint Sixth Form Centre on track for 2028.

Alan read Economics at Cambridge University, graduating with a Prize First, and subsequently gained a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics, undertaken as an Economic and Social Research Council Scholar, for which he was awarded Distinction.

Alan takes up his role at a key moment in the history of MCS, as we welcome the first cohort of girls into the Junior School and plan the timetable for the new Science and Partnerships Building. The coming academic year will provide an opportunity both to prepare for a smooth transition and to celebrate Helen’s outstanding leadership and lasting contribution to the school.

Bob Price, Chair, Board of Governors, MCS, said: “Alan impressed the Board with his strategic vision and his close alignment with the values and educational philosophy which we espouse at MCS. His experience of school leadership and innovation is impressive and Governors feel confident that he represents an excellent fit for our school and will provide the thoughtful and caring leadership that will take MCS from strength to strength in the years ahead.”

Alan Bird said: “MCS sets a national standard for academic and co-curricular excellence; but those outcomes are so powerfully underpinned by a sense of ambition and joy. It is therefore not just a privilege to have been appointed as the school’s next Master, but also a source of great excitement. Building on such strong foundations, the coming years – with the move to full co-education and ambitious plans for the development of the site – will be important ones. Along the way, though, ensuring that every young person in this wonderful community is happy and able to flourish will remain the fundamental priority. As I have come to know the school better over recent months, the alignment between the school’s ethos and my own values has been obvious to see. I look forward enormously to joining the community next year, and to working closely with Helen Pike over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.”