Top 10 Head of School in Europe - 2026

Hugo Liz de Castro is a seasoned education leader with experience spanning teaching, school leadership and institutional development. With a belief that leadership is ultimately an act of stewardship, he focuses on building strong school communities through accountability, transparency and people development while maintaining a student-centred approach to leadership.

Chrissie Sorenson serves as Vorstand and Head of School at Bavarian International School. Across her career, she has focused on international education and school leadership, bringing expertise spanning different countries and learning communities. Her work centers on creating environments where students and educators can grow together.

Cullum Mitchell is the Head of School at GLF Schools, leading Merstham Park School in Surrey. His work is anchored in supporting everyday life at the school while helping create an environment where students and staff can thrive. His career reflects a continued commitment to education and school leadership.

Richard Parker is Head of School at the International School of London, where he champions student voice from the earliest years up. He gives pupils a real say in decisions that shape their school, from playground design to a peace curriculum, and builds a community where children learn to act with care.

Jennifer Mitchell is Head of School at Scarcroft Primary School within the Excel Learning Trust, a University of York graduate. She leads a school community that puts the arts and pupil creativity at the centre of learning, and works with the wider trust to develop strong leaders and share opportunities across its schools.

David Starbuck is a senior education and organisational leader with more than 25 years across school leadership, programme development and training. After 13 years at Albyne School in Aberdeen, including as Head of School, he now works as a consultant, shaping strategy and designing programmes that turn learning and leadership ambitions into practical delivery.

Chris Beddows is Head of School at Dwight School London, an International Baccalaureate world school. A Bishop Grosseteste University graduate, he leads a community built on collaboration and international connection, bringing students together across the Dwight network and championing the IB's emphasis on inquiry, character and global mindedness.

Álvaro Moltó Chinarro is an educator, director and coordinator at Colegio Base International School in Madrid, with more than 20 years in teaching. A Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca graduate, he focuses on innovation and improvement in the classroom, and sees education as the foundation for building a better society.

Tom Davidson is Head of a large international school in Madrid, responsible for the day-to-day management of staff and students. A University of Glasgow graduate, he has overseen substantial growth in pupil numbers and leads large-scale projects, with a focus on school management, strategic planning and marketing.

Erica Coutrim is an education specialist working at the intersection of school leadership and system reform, with nearly 20 years across classrooms, school leadership and national policy. A PhD holder from Universidade de São Paulo, she advises UNESCO and OECD on quality and evaluation and has led programmes reaching 40,000 learners.