Message from the Head

Mr Phil Akerman joins Harrow Beijing in August 2023.

Phil grew up and attended school in London before reading Chemistry at universities in both the UK and Germany. Phil took his first teaching post in London in September 2003 where he helped to raise academic standards across the school, leading to his promotion as Head of Science and then Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for teaching and learning, as well as a large Sixth Form cohort of over 400 students. Phil was promoted into his first Headteacher role in 2016, going on to drive the school’s growth from approximately 900 students to 1,870 students from Nursery through to Sixth Form – becoming the most popular school in that district of London in the process. He is used to working with large teams of teachers, support staff, students and families to ensure the best education journey possible. Phil has a real passion for delivering the highest quality education which, for him, means seeing students fulfil their academic potential whilst also developing their character, confidence and skills through a variety of programmes and opportunities.

He believes that this type of holistic education helps to foster confident, compassionate leaders who will go on to improve the world we live in. Seeing happy young people move on to top university destinations and careers is hugely satisfying and it is why he loves being Headteacher.