Royal Hospital School in Holbrook near Ipswich announces new head

A new head teacher of a Suffolk independent school has been announced.

The Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook, near Ipswich, has announced that Irfan Latif will become head of the school from September 1 this year.

Mr Latif said: “It’s an honour to have been appointed the 11th headmaster of the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk. With its rich heritage and commitment to excellence, this prestigious institution has long stood as a beacon of outstanding education and character development in the East of England.

“I am keen to work collaboratively with the school, Greenwich Hospital, parents, and our wider community to build on the outstanding work of the current Headmaster Simon Lockyer, to nurture a generation of learners who are not only academically accomplished and creative but also kind, confident, and ready to contribute positively to a rapidly changing world.

“Thank you for entrusting me with this great responsibility. My wife Jo, our two daughters and I are looking forward to moving to Suffolk over the summer and a future filled with growth, and shared success at RHS.”

Mr Latif has been Principal at DLD College London, based in Westminster, since 2018.

Prior to taking up the Headship at DLD, Mr Latif was headmaster at Sexey's School in Bruton, Somerset, and Deputy Head at Bedford School.

Educated at Emanuel School in London, he graduated with honours in Chemistry from King's College, University of London, where he also studied for his PGCE and is currently completing a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Buckingham.

Mark Pendlington, chair of governors at RHS said: “We undertook a rigorous recruitment process, attracting a very high quality of applications, including existing heads.

“Irfan’s senior experience as an education leader with 25 years in teaching, and over 15 years as a deputy head and head, in leading HMC and BSA UK boarding and day schools, made him an outstanding candidate.

“Irfan has a proven track record as a team leader on a local and national level. He is able to build on success, drive innovation, and inspire and engage across the whole school community. He has also developed powerful partnerships and networks beyond the school gates.

The governors and I believe these qualities will allow RHS to look to the future with confidence. Together, we continue to take enormous pride in our 300-year-old history and heritage. At the same time, we keep a firm eye to the future and in meeting the high expectations placed upon us, so that we are able to inspire and motivate every child in our care to achieve the very best for themselves in a rapidly changing world.”