Oakham’s first female Head Lucy Pearson is an Old Oakhamian and former Head Girl, with a distinguished career in cricket and education
Oakham has appointed Lucy Pearson as Head, the first female in the Rutland school’s 440-year history. An Old Oakhamian, former Head Girl and former England cricketer, she has served as Deputy Head at Wellington College, led Cheadle Hulme School and, most recently, was Director of FA Education at the Football Association.
Lucy Pearson joined Oakham as a pupil in 1983, where she demonstrated early leadership potential as Head Girl and later President of the Old Oakhamian Club. She moved on to Keble College, Oxford to study English and then pursued an international cricket career, representing England in both Test and One Day International formats. She was only the second woman to take 11 wickets in a test match – achieved in 2003 in a match against Australia. She was twice named Vodafone England Women’s Player of the Year,
Lucy Pearson’s education journey spans schools and national sporting institutions. She was Head of Sixth Form – and cricket coach – at Solihull School before moving on to become Deputy Head at Wellington College. She became the first female Head of Cheadle Hulme School in 2010. Most recently, she led the FA’s Education Division as Director of FA Education, delivering strategic reforms to widen access and strengthen organisational performance. She also contributes nationally as Chair of the Lord’s Taverners, supporting young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds through cricket.
Chair of Trustees at Oakham School Geraint Davies says: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Lucy Pearson back to Oakham as our next Head. Lucy brings not only exceptional experience but also energy, clarity of vision and a deep understanding of what makes Oakham special”.
“Returning to Oakham feels incredibly special. The School opened doors for me, not least through the bursary support that made my education here possible, and it instilled the skills and values that have shaped every stage of my life,” says Lucy Pearson. “I feel privileged to be returning as Head, to lead a School that gave me so much, and I look forward to helping today’s pupils discover their own paths with the same encouragement and belief that I was given.”
Lucy Pearson takes up her role in September 2026. She succeeds Henry Price, who has led Oakham for the past seven years and moves on at the end of this academic year to lead Rugby School Dubai.
Oakham School oakham.rutland.sch.uk
Further reading: Oakham celebrates 50 years of co-education
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