A passion for excellence and success
SIR PETER BIRKETT
As a British educator and entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience, my ambition is to find and deliver innovative solutions that ensure every student regardless of their age, ability or background receives the very best education, training and progression opportunities.
In 2016, I founded an independent Special Needs School in Devon -Highgate Hill House School. In the 4 years since the opening of the school it has grown to maximum pupil capacity with a turnover of c£2 million, graded good by OFSTED across all areas in 2017, been a finalist for 3 national awards and achieved Investors in People (IIP) status. In March 2020 the school pleasingly went through a highly successful Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) compliance inspection, as a result of this and pupil demand for places the Department for Education (DfE) agreed a 13% pupil number increase.
Before setting up Highgate Hill House School, I was employed as CEO for GEMS Education and prior to this employed as a College Principal before founding the UK's first federation of schools and colleges. In September 2007 the federation broke new ground becoming the 1st Further Education College in the country to sponsor two failing secondary schools and turn them into academies and form a federation. When I left the organisation in 2013 the academies were named number 1 and number 3 in the town's league table with GCSE results of 74% and 69% - these are the best GCSE results ever achieved in the history of these schools.
Also, in 2013 I am proud to state that the College was named as the highest performing post 16 Further Education College in the UK for 16-18-year olds with a success rate of 94% and 2nd in the country for students aged 19+ with a success rate of 90%.
I have been both a Government adviser and Director on several National Boards and have spoken and continue to present at a range of national and international events. I am currently a member of the Worshipful Company of Educators, a national Special Education Needs group and member of Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Peter
Recent Successes
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2016 - Founded Highgate Hill House independent School
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2017 - Led Highgate Hill House School through successful Ofsted inspection (graded 'good')
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2017 – 2019 Highgate shortlisted for three national awards
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2019 - Secured Investors in People (IIP) status
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2020 – Highgate met all standards of Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Regulatory Compliance Inspection
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2020 – School at capacity, secured DfE approval to increase pupil numbers due to huge demand for places
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2020 – Highgate listed in top 20 best employers of the year
If you would like to make an enquiry with no obligation then please click here and we shall be delighted to contact you for a confidential discussion.
I HAVE LEARNED MORE FROM MY MISTAKES THAN MY SUCCESSES
A LEADER
AND TRUE
ENTREPRENEUR
TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE WE MUST LOSE OUR FEAR OF BEING WRONG
Track Record
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2007 - 1st FE College Academy sponsor
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2008 - Founder and CEO of the 1st FE College Federation and Multi Academy Trust
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2010 - Founder of the 1st College led Academy Facilities Management Company
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2011 - First FE College Principal awarded National Leader in Education status (NLE)
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2012 - Runner-up Education Investor 'most outstanding contribution by individual'
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2013 - First sponsor to turn an independent fee paying school into a Primary Free School
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2013 - Number one FE College in the UK for 16-18 year olds with a 94% success rate
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2013 - Turned 2 bottom of league table schools to number 1 and 3 in the town
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2013 - Secured Education Investor “Best School Operator” national award (Nov 2013)
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2013 - Named best Academy Sponsor of disadvantaged pupils' (chain reaction - Sutton Trust report)