New chairman for SHMIS

9 January 2007

SHMIS is one of the five professional associations of Heads in ISC. Its 100-plus member schools educate approximately 50,000 pupils and represent enormous educational variety. They all strive for academic excellence across the ability range yet include specialist music and ballet schools of international repute, schools offering outstanding and pioneering dyslexia support, opportunities for vocational education and a wealth of experience in boarding.

Educated at Independent Schools Council (ISC) schools at both preparatory and secondary level, Peter graduated in Botany from St Andrews University before winning a research scholarship for studies in freshwater ecology. Peter began his teaching career in 1979. In 1983 he was appointed housemaster at Bradfield College, before taking up his present post in 1994.

Commenting on his year in office, Peter said: "This will be a busy year for SHMIS. It is my intention to ensure that the voice of the smaller schools we represent should be heard on matters such as curriculum and examination reform, partnership and independence, innovation and the interpretation of public benefit in the Charities Act."

Notes to editors

Dr Peter Bodkin
Dr Peter Bodkin was Treasurer of SHMIS until last year, and as a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), he has represented the West Division on the HMC/Girls Schools' Association (GSA) Professional Development Committee.   Married with three children, Peter's interests centre on sport.  He captained the Scottish Universities Cricket X1 while at St Andrews, coached football for many years and remains a regular visitor to the Alps in the winter.

Tettenhall College
Tettenhall College, Wolverhampton, is a co-educational day and boarding school with 500 pupils, aged 2-18.  Tettenhall was a founder member of SHMIS and encapsulates what the Society stands for: a small, friendly, caring school providing an excellent all-round education from nursery to university entrance.