James Hodgson Appointed Head Master Brighton College Rome

This appointment represents a further major step following the announcement of the arrival in Rome of the UK’s top-ranked school.

 Rome, 12 January 2026 – Brighton College, the prestigious private school from the United Kingdom, announces the appointment of James Hodgson as the Headmaster of Brighton College Rome, its new Italian school set to open in September 2027.

James Hodgson has enjoyed an exceptional career of school leadership. He has served as the Headmaster of Bedford School, one of England’s most famous day and boarding schools for boys, founded in 1552, since 2014. In 2021 Bedford was judged Independent Boys’ School of the Year, while Fortune ranked it as one of the Top 6 Boys’ Boarding Schools in The World in 2023. His experience and expertise in building an ambitious and harmonious community of young learners will be all to the advantage of Brighton College Rome which will also educate both day and boarding pupils.

Before Bedford James held other notable positions, including Senior Deputy Head at Magdalen College School in Oxford and Boarding Housemaster and Director of Admissions at Tonbridge School, after spending his first years as a teacher at Trinity Grammar in Sydney, Australia.

His educational vision is grounded in academic rigour, character development and a holistic education where sport (he has led football and cricket at two schools, and skis, sails and plays golf) and the creative and performing arts combine with academics to build confidence and draw out the talent in each individual pupil.

James is the perfect fit as the Founding Head of Brighton College Rome. He is a classicist, a scholar when a boy at Wellington College, steeped in the language, literature and history of Rome; and, during a recent sabbatical term spent in Florence, he and his wife Rachel, immersed themselves in the language and culture of Italy.

“It is a true honour to be the Founding Head of Brighton College Rome. We will build a school in the Eternal City where curiosity is encouraged, confidence is nurtured, and kindness is at the heart of everything we do, every day, with every pupil,” said James Hodgson, Headmaster Designate of Brighton College Rome.

Brighton College’s Expansion in Europe

Brighton College’s arrival in Rome is part of its European expansion, alongside schools in Madrid and Lisbon, in partnership with Intellego Education. Each school will combine top-tier teaching, inspiring spaces, and a welcoming, inclusive community, with boarding options and flexible alternatives for local and international pupils. The new Rome school will provide children and young people aged 5 to 18 with access to a world-class education, based on an innovative curriculum that has enabled Brighton College alumni to gain admission to universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Yale, and Harvard.

“James is an outstanding Headmaster, classical scholar and lover of Italy. His educational experience, strong values and wide interests make him the ideal choice for this founding role,” said Dr Stephen Spurr, Chairman and Director of Education at Intellego Education.

Brighton College Rome is envisioned as a place where academic excellence meets a culture of empathy, curiosity, and confidence. Under James Hodgson’s leadership, the foundation will be laid for a school that sets a new standard for international education in Italy.