Hockerill Anglo-European College: Vice-principal Alasdair Mackenzie to succeed David Woods as principal
Hockerill Anglo-European College’s vice-principal is to be its next head – 15 years after he first arrived at the school.
Married father-of-three Alasdair Mackenzie has been appointed as principal with effect from January 2025. He succeeds David Woods, whose resignation after less than four years in post was announced in March.
Mr Mackenzie was promoted to the leadership team at the international state day and boarding school in Dunmow Road after his arrival from The Bishop’s Stortford High School in 2009.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as the next principal. Hockerill is a wonderful school and it will be an honour to build on David’s work in leading our staff to continue to provide all our current and future students with a world-class education.”
His appointment follows what the school described as “a rigorous and intensive recruitment process which attracted applicants from schools in both the state and independent sectors across continents”.
Chair of governors John Stenhouse said: “As a board we are delighted that after a robust process we have been able to appoint Alasdair to the position of principal. I am especially pleased that we have appointed an internal candidate, and look forward to working with Alasdair on continuing our journey to build on the very high standards of Hockerill.”
During his time at Hockerill Mr Mackenzie has led on initiatives including delivery of a new sports hall and an eight-classroom science centre.
A school statement said: “His detailed planning and communication enabled the school to successfully reopen following Covid lockdowns.
“Throughout Alasdair’s time at Hockerill he has consistently managed the balance of maintaining the highest expectations of the school’s students, whilst achieving an outstanding quality of pastoral care for both its day and boarding cohorts.”
He has held a number of teaching and leadership positions since qualifying as a teacher at the University of Bath. He holds a National Professional Qualification for Headship and has been a governor at a local primary school.
Mr Mackenzie is a fitness enthusiast, having completed two marathons and an Iron Man triathlon. In his spare time he plays golf, skiing and coaching and watching rugby at Bishop’s Stortford rugby club. In addition to sports, he enjoys cooking and is very proud of the quality of his sponge cakes!
Mr Mackenzie’s two sons are former Hockerill students and his daughter is in Year 9.
Mr Woods will leave the school at the end of December. He had offered to stay until next Easter if his successor could not start in January 2025, to avoid the need for an interim appointment.
He joined Hockerill in August 2020 from the International School of Geneva, succeeding Richard Markham, who left in July 2019 after six years in the role.
