British educator with more than 25 years in education to lead King’s Canterbury, Bengaluru.
The King’s School Canterbury, Bengaluru has appointed Leigh Holmes-Hill as its Founding Head of Prep. Ms Holmes-Hill will join the school from the second week of August 2026, taking up the role a year ahead of the school’s opening in the 2027–28 academic year, to shape the culture, curriculum and learning environment of the school’s early years and preparatory school for children aged three to seven.
Ms Holmes-Hill brings more than 25 years in education across the United Kingdom and international schools, including over 15 years in senior school leadership. She has led curriculum, teaching and academic standards from the Early Years through to Sixth Form, and her career spans some of the world’s most respected international school groups: Nord Anglia Education, the Braeburn Group of International Schools in East Africa, and the International Schools Partnership (ISP), where she currently serves as Campus Head of Learning at Tenby International School, Ipoh, in Malaysia.
Her work has taken her across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia (including Hungary, China, Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia) strengthening curriculum design, teaching quality and assessment, and building close partnerships with parents and communities. As Group Head of Curriculum and Standards at Braeburn, she led academic standards across 17 schools. She holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and is an accredited evaluator with the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Originally trained as a science teacher, Ms Holmes-Hill is known for an evidence-led, child-centred approach. She believes the earliest years of education establish the intellectual, linguistic and personal foundations on which all later learning is built, a conviction that sits at the heart of Junior King’s, where children are encouraged to feel known, valued and supported as they grow in curiosity, confidence and character.
As Founding Head of Prep, Ms Holmes-Hill will establish the school from first principles (setting its culture, curriculum, systems and standards) and lead its youngest learners in a way that reflects the values and heritage of The King’s School Canterbury, one of the oldest schools in the world, founded in Canterbury, England in 597 AD.
“Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes, and it is a responsibility I hold closely as both an educator and a mother,” said Ms Holmes-Hill. “I believe the early years shape not only how children learn, but who they become. Children flourish when they feel known, heard and valued, and when they know they belong. To help build that from the very beginning, within a school of the history and ambition of King’s, is a rare privilege. I look forward to working with our families, colleagues and pupils to bring this shared vision to life.”
Nina Hunt, Managing Director of The King’s School Canterbury International, said: “Leigh is an outstanding appointment for King’s Canterbury, Bengaluru. She brings a rare combination of warmth, experience and educational expertise, and we are excited to work alongside her as we establish a school that reflects the values, ambition and close-knit community that have defined King’s Canterbury for more than 1,400 years.”
The appointment of Leigh Holmes-Hill marks another important milestone in the development of The King’s School Canterbury, Bengaluru. As the founding leadership team comes together, the school continues to build towards its opening in 2027, bringing together exceptional educators committed to delivering a British education defined by academic excellence, character, curiosity and a genuine sense of belonging.