Marcus Blackburn
The new head at St Peter’s Cambridge has been recruited from Adelaide.
Marcus Blackburn, the deputy headmaster and head of senior school at St Peter’s College in Adelaide since late 2019 will become head of school in January.
His present school is described as a leading Anglican boarding and day school with a roll of 1500 boys.
He has previously held leadership positions at boarding schools in both the United Kingdom and Australia.
St Peter’s Cambridge Trust Board chair John Macaskill-Smith said the search for the new position of head of school, started in April, produced high calibre applicants and Blackburn was a stand-out.
In a statement released on Monday by the school, Blackburn said from his first visit he sensed in everyone he met, a deep pride and passion for the school.
John Macaskill-Smith
“St Peter’s has an enviable reputation for excellence and endeavour in a range of areas.
“With its strong founding vision and unique setting, St Peter’s is perfectly placed to provide an outstanding education for its students.”
Macaskill-Smith said Blackburn’s experience demonstrated a strong strategic capability.
“Through his various roles at leading independent schools around the world, Marcus has developed extensive leadership experience in all areas of school life, leading strategically on academic achievement, pastoral care and co-curricular provision. Notably, at Hereford Cathedral School, Marcus supported the introduction of boarding as a key strategic initiative and led on culture at one of the UK’s largest boarding houses at Bradfield College”.
“In his current role, Marcus has driven new strategies in the leadership of pastoral care, service and outdoor education.”
St Peter’s Cambridge announced the recruitment for a head of school in April 2022.
This followed the board’s disestablishment of its executive principal position which had been vacant since June 2021. Former principal Dale Burden resigned last
year during an investigation into bullying at the school. The News reported last week he had been appointed principal at Howick College.
The school now has two leadership positions reporting to its trust board. Rob Campbell was appointed Commercial head in April.
St Peter’s School, Cambridge
