About me:
I am an experienced school leader, in the UK and Internationally, having led schools successfully in both state and independent sectors.

I was born and educated in Shropshire. I lived at home in Madeley until I was 18 and my father was a Shropshire coal miner. I was the first in my family to go to university after attending Madeley Court School and New College 6th Form College. Here, I met Les Jones, who became an instrumental teacher and mentor to me for the next 40 years. 

I graduated in Politics from the University of York and I have been a teacher and school leader for over 30 years, beginning my career at Bootham School, York.

My PGCE is from the University of Aberystwyth, my Masters in Education is on educational leadership and I hold the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) from the UK’s National College for School Leadership.

I was previously Principal of Wyedean School (author JK Rowling’s former school), Gloucestershire, UK where I successfully led a school nationally and internationally known for its innovative holistic curriculum and developed model of global learning. My first book “This heart shaped land”, based on my time at Wyedean. I served as director of the Gloucester Heads association. I was co-founder of the IB schools network in the SW of England.

I joined Heritage International School, Moldova in 2019 and served successfully as CEO & Director until early 2025. I was appointed to the board of governors, serving until March 2026 of this all through, first international COBIS and Cambridge school in Moldova, based on a British education model.

I am a regular writer for both the TES, International Schools Network and International Schools Magazine/ISMP and I am an international schools leader for the Varkey/UNESCO/TTF2030 Global Leaders Network, along with other international education networks. I am a member of the editorial board for International Schools Today magazine.

I have been a senior leader in leading schools in Wales and England, including Deputy Headteacher at Crickhowell High School, Powys. Previously, I led the large 6th Form of both A Level and IB at Royal Wootton Bassett School. I served as Head of History and Politics in Bristol, as well as lead international teacher in South Glos LEA.

In 2022, I was honoured and received a “Global Principal” award from AKS. I am a long serving British Council Ambassador, an advisor and keynote speaker at many international conferences for the British Council and other similar organisations, and I have worked with and advised schools and school boards around the World. It is my privilege to have worked and been involved in so many global projects with two outstanding colleagues, dear friends and global educators in Tatiana Popa & John Rolfe. Tatiana is the inspiration for a TES article of mine based on “good mavericks”.

My first book “This Heart Shaped Land” reflecting on my time as principal of Wyedean, was released in 2020. My 2nd book, “Mail from Moldova”, is due out in 2027. It is based on my blog of the same name from my time living and working in the country that I will always consider a second home.

I serve on the Tes International Award panel of judges for Community and Partnerships and I am also a governor on the Board of British International School, Ukraine. In 2025, I was appointed as Executive Headteacher of Perrott Hill British Schools, Prague, and serve as chair of the board of governors of Perrott Hill School, in the U.K. In 2026, I began work for Cambridge Assessment as a schools’ leadership advisor.

In 2024, I was shortlisted for the inaugural TES International Principal of the Year Awards.

My wife is a jeweller and teacher of goldsmithing.  Together we have 3 teenage daughters and live in Bristol and in mid-Wales.

My TES articles: https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/rob-ford

My ISMP articles: https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/author/robf/

MY ISN articles: https://isn.education/members/2b043621-7c7e-46bb-8724-f557591748bb