Prioritising Value Alignment
Mill Hill Education Group has grown at an extraordinary pace in recent years. From four schools based in Mill Hill, North-West London, to a thriving educational charity comprising twelve UK schools as of Easter 2025, with its first international school opening later this year, Mill Hill Education Group continues to grow as one of the fastest-growing charitable groups of schools in the UK. This expansion is driven not by scale alone, but by a thoughtful, values-led approach to growth.
In a time when independent schools are facing unprecedented pressures, from changing government policies to increasing financial strain, having a clear, strategic foundation has never been more essential. Antony Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of the Mill Hill Education Group, explains, "Having the structure of an agreed strategy is vital in navigating dynamic times."
A Strategy for Sustainable Growth
Our growth is not opportunistic. It is guided by a strategy that was first set out in early 2020, taking into account long-term financial trends, demographic shifts, changes within the education sector, and evolving parental expectations. This clarity ensures that every new school joining our Group meets carefully defined criteria, and crucially, that we remain focused on delivering life-transforming education, rather than expanding for the sake of it.
An essential part of this strategy is ensuring that our governance structures support a growing organisation. We have shifted towards a model more similar to a corporate board in its structure, with meetings focused on genuinely strategic matters and risk management rather than operational detail. As Antony notes, "The savings on management and governor time are substantial, with decisions made quicker based on better information and meaningful discussion."
Culture at the Heart of Every Decision
While strategic frameworks are important, culture is the true foundation upon which successful growth rests. "Culture is our number one criteria when considering mergers," says Antony. "We look for a child-centredness, a pervasive humanity, and an institutional humility that seeks to develop strong and enduring relationships within the whole school community."
Before a school joins our Group, we take the time to understand its ethos — not just through policies or prospectuses, but by visiting, engaging, and experiencing the atmosphere first-hand. It is vital that new schools share our commitment to prioritising the needs of pupils, fostering genuine collaboration, and building strong, supportive communities.
People Make the Difference
We know that strategy and culture are only effective if they are carried out by the right people. One of the greatest advantages of joining a larger educational group is the opportunity for collaboration and shared leadership. Rather than being reliant on a single Head or small leadership team, schools within our Group benefit from a network of support and shared expertise.
"Working collectively enables us to attract, develop and sustain leaders better," says Antony. "We are seeing a significant rise in the volume and quality of applications because of the security that comes from a wider group structure."
Alongside leadership, our commitment to our teaching and support staff is paramount. Our Group structure allows us to offer robust HR support and meaningful professional development, helping us to truly value every individual who makes up our schools.
Our 'Educonomies of Scale'
When discussing growth, it’s common to think in terms of financial efficiencies, but for us, it’s much deeper. We believe in 'educonomies of scale', where collaboration improves educational outcomes rather than simply cutting costs.
"Our motives are to better meet the needs of our pupils," Antony explains. "Peer mentoring, sharing best practice, supporting initiatives across schools, and pooling resources — all of these make a tangible difference."
It is this commitment to innovation and partnership that has driven new initiatives, such as our collaboration with Chiltern Way Academy Trust to improve SEND provision. This includes the relaunch of The Woodlands Learning Centre and the development of Bligh House, both designed to provide specialist support for pupils with additional needs. The opening of the UK's first secondary maths school for ages 11-18 dedicated to maths excellence shows what can be achieved when great people come together with aligned values and a clear purpose.
Looking to the Future
As Mill Hill Education Group continues to grow, our focus remains on selecting schools whose culture, ethos, and ambitions align with ours. Through strategy, culture, people, and purpose, we are building a community that offers life-changing education to every pupil in our care.
Growth isn’t about becoming bigger – it’s about becoming better, together.
