Alastair Chirnside, Warden of St. Edward's Oxford, on his journey from City slicker to the corridors of power at Eton
“There’s the adage that culture eats strategy for breakfast – and that’s a hundred percent true. If you’re insensitive to that, you won’t thrive.”
Next to join us on Heads & Tales is the hugely charismatic Alastair Chirnside, Warden of St Edward's School, Oxford, who this month was announced as Simon Henderson's successor as Headmaster of Eton from September 2027. With this in mind, his words on the importance of culture are particularly pertinent.
Alastair's route to the corridors of educational power are far from conventional. After reading French and Classics at Oxford, he carved out a path in the City, working across various financial institutions in London and Paris – a career he admittedly loved. But, for him, there was a higher calling. His passion for classics led him to apply for a teaching role at Eton College, where in the fullness of time, he went on to teach the host of this very conversation, Henry Faber. In this episode, recorded before the Eton announcement, Alastair reflects on what it means to arrive at a school and learn its culture before trying to upset the apple cart, why he still insists on teaching a Latin class, as well as the two concerns that keep him up at night: VAT-related pressures and the changing culture around boarding.
🎙️ Episode highlights
Alastair describes his leadership approach, highlighting the importance of partnership to ensure a more effective delivery.
He shares his concerns around the state of boarding and how to ensure boarding schools aren't closed communities cut off from the rest of society.
He reveals Teddy's social impact: lower sixth students spend time every week working in local primary schools, care homes and food banks
He discusses the importance of his own mentor, Eton Classics teacher Steven Spurr
Alastair shares what he'd tell his younger self, pinching Wayne Gretzky's famous line: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take", so just give everything a go.