Head’s Welcome
We know that when children are happy, they achieve the best they can
Colfe’s is one of the oldest schools in London, established by our founder Abraham Colfe back in 1652. Our links with the Leathersellers’ City Livery Company – who have governed the school since then – still remain strong today.
For centuries we have been a local school, grounded within our community, but we are outward-looking and forward-looking. Colfe’s pupils are engaged wholeheartedly with the school, with the local community, and with the wider world.
We teach both boys and girls – because we believe they work well together at all ages. We are a through school from 3-18 and our main entry points are at ages 3, 4 and 7 in the Junior School and 11 and 16 in the Senior School.
Colfe’s is a happy school. We know that when children are happy, they achieve the best they can. Academic standards are high – students perform extremely well in public examinations with the vast majority going on to their first place university including Russell Group institutions and Oxford and Cambridge. Our award-winning pastoral programmes give pupils the tools they need to learn and to live – supporting them at school and preparing them for life beyond.
The best way to learn more about us is to come and visit.
We look forward to meeting you.
Richard Russell
Headmaster
About Headmaster Richard Russell
Richard Russell was appointed Headmaster of Colfe’s School in September 2005. He began his teaching career at Sevenoaks School in 1983 as a Classics teacher. As International Baccalaureate Co-ordinator and Director of Studies, he managed and oversaw the expansion and development of the IB programme at Sevenoaks.
In 1998 he moved to Forest School as Deputy Warden – the only major independent school in London’s East End. He is a Governor of the British School of Paris, Deptford Green School and the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools; a member of the HMC Universities Committee and a past Chairman of the London Division of HMC.
Richard Russell was educated at Methodist College Belfast and Jesus College Cambridge where he graduated in Classics. During the latter part of his time at university and the early part of his teaching career he participated in four seasons of Mediterranean archaeology.
After twenty years of successful headship, Richard Russell will retire at the end of the academic year 2025. His successor has been announced as Mr Daniel Gabriele, current Deputy Principal at Caterham School. Read more about the appointment.
Discover More
Junior School
At Colfe’s Junior School we want our children to develop into confident, articulate adults.
Senior School
The transition to secondary school is an important time in your school career – it’s a big leap.
Sixth Form
Which A-levels? Which career? Which degree course? We’ll help you, we’ll advise you.
Start your journey
Admissions
Find out more about how to apply to Colfe's
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