Stamford School Announces Appointment of New Head, Chris Seal

Stamford School is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Seal as the new Head, effective from September 2025. Chris Seal joins Stamford from Tanglin Trust School in Singapore, where he has been the Head of Senior School since August 2022, leading one of the foremost international schools for students aged 11 to 18.

Mark Steed will serve as Interim Principal of Stamford School from September 2024 to 2025, following the departure of Will Phelan. During this period, Mr. Steed's extensive experience and leadership will ensure a seamless transition and continued excellence at Stamford.

Tom Cartledge, Chair of Governors for Stamford School, commented on the appointment: "We are thrilled to welcome Chris Seal to Stamford. His exceptional track record of leadership and commitment to educational excellence makes him the perfect candidate to guide the school into its next chapter. Chris's vision and dynamic approach align perfectly with our values and ambitions, and we are confident he will inspire both staff and students to reach new heights. Chris’s appointment marks a significant step in Stamford's ongoing commitment to academic ambition, pastoral care and ensuring our Stamfordians become the very best version of themselves whilst at school. We very much look forward to the positive impact he will have on our school community.”

Chris Seal, himself, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead Stamford School in the next phase of its growth and development. I am thrilled to be returning to the UK. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our recent stay in the beautiful town of Stamford. I am impressed with both the quality of facilities and the excellent students, who offered a very warm welcome to the school. I had the pleasure of meeting colleagues and very much hope that my experience in school leadership will add a great deal of value to the Stamford community. The prospect of immersing myself in the school, town and wider community is both humbling and compelling and I am very excited to start.”

Chris Seal has spent his career working in the independent sector, most notably as a Housemaster and Director of Sport at Trent College and as Deputy Head Pastoral at Millfield. More recently he has led two top co-educational international schools, first as Principal of Shrewsbury Bangkok before moving to his current role as Head of the Senior School at Tanglin in Singapore. Thus, he joins Stamford with excellent pastoral, academic and co-curricular credentials.