Simon Leese
After Durham University, Simon started his teaching career at Worksop College, before moving to Loughborough Grammar School in 1981. He taught physics, was resident housemaster in School House, and latterly was Head of Sixth Form. His wife Jane taught at Fairfield, and their three children went through the schools.
In 2005, he was appointed Headmaster of Christ’s College, Christchurch, New Zealand. Challenges presented included recovery from the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, but Simon attaches as much satisfaction to cultural and attitudinal changes in the early years of this most traditional of schools.
Twelve years later, thoughts of retirement were put aside with a move to the recently opened Prince of Wales Island International School in Penang, Malaysia. In five years, the school was taken to international award recognition and a new primary school conceived and created, while the international schools’ community provided a wealth of experience, as well as travel and networking opportunities across Asia.
Returning to their home in Woodhouse in 2020, Simon has enjoyed reconnecting locally. His regard for the foundation goes back a long way, but his interest is in the future.
n his spare time Simon enjoys his classic sports cars and keeping up with his three LSF alumni and their families in London and New York.