Jonathan Shaw appointed as new Headmaster of Ellesmere College

Jonathan Shaw has been appointed as the new Headmaster of Ellesmere College and will take up role from September 2025.

A graduate of the University of Nottingham, a historian and with an MA in Leadership, Jonathan is currently the Head of the Senior School of 600 pupils at King’s Ely in Cambridgeshire, a co-educational boarding school of 1000 pupils in total.

He has also worked as a housemaster at Ardingly (another Woodard School), Vice-Principal (Pastoral) at Elizabeth College in Guernsey and as Head of Boarding at St Andrew’s, Turi in Kenya, where he was also Chair of Marketing. Prior to Kenya, he was Head of History at Gordon’s School, Surrey and a history teacher at RGS Worcester. He has worked as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) since 2013.

Jonathan Shaw commented, after being selected for this appointment:

“It is an honour to have been appointed to lead Ellesmere College from September 2025. During my recent visits to Ellesmere, I was particularly impressed by the school’s care for the individual, the importance of the community and the sense of ambition for the future. It will be a huge privilege to build upon the legacy of Brendan Wignall who led the school with such humility, kindness and wisdom.  My wife, Katherine, and I are looking forward to moving to Ellesmere with our family next summer and being part of a very special community.”

Charles Lillis, Chair of Governors, added:

“During a rigorous selection process involving Governors, staff and pupils, Mr Shaw shone out as an exceptional candidate, and was the clear and unanimous choice of the selection panel. Our new Headmaster ably demonstrated that he understands the holistic ethos and values of Ellesmere College and he will undoubtedly bring vision, energy, dynamism and a wealth of experience to the role. With such a strong appointment I and my fellow Governors continue to be extremely optimistic about the future of Ellesmere College.”