Englishman in New York

By Henry Faber
Co-founder

After a year of research, firstly a big thank you to the 200+ parents and educators across New York City who have been kind enough to support my learnings and progress in developing Oppidan Education for the US. 

Our NYC team of 6 mentors launched Fall programs at St. Bernard’s School and Franklin School. Two very different examples of a 1:1, in-school format. Follow below for case studies, and see great NYC-based mentors like Billy and Max who are leading the charge. 

On 6th October I hosted An Evening with Top UK Schools for 60 guests at Roosevelt House, platforming Eton, Wellington and Wycombe Abbey, three of the UK’s best boarding schools. It was a pleasure to welcome so many engaged NYC educators and families for a rich discussion of educational difference. 

I was asked to speak to parents at The River Club on Surviving and Thriving Through Middle School. Identifying ‘the self, skills and speaking’ as three areas of perceived crisis for early adolescence, I shared tangible solutions for how parents can look to stay calm and mentor their children with the right daily consistencies. I’m looking for more opportunities to speak to parents in both formal and informal environments. 

Families in NYC are beginning to engage with Oppidan’s Character Mentoring: this is our best-known programming for personal development. No matter how valuable the school day, I believe that every child benefits greatly from targeted, 1:1 support to know, organise and express themselves more effectively. An Oppidan mentor’s role is to catalyse and guide progress, backed by the power of impartiality, an original curriculum and on-point reporting. 

If we focus on the foundations, the teens take care of themselves. Read my short manifesto on mentoring for more. 

As we approach 2026, I’m looking forward to spending more time in the United States and to building an understanding and appreciation for Oppidan’s approach. In a world where college applications start early, and character matters, I’m excited to see students succeed to the best of their abilities on the back of an Oppidan experience.