History & Ownership

History and Ownership

Our History

Hurlingham School was founded in 1947 by Rosemary Whitehead. The school took its name from its first home in Hurlingham Road, Fulham, before moving in 1949 to the founder’s own residence on Deodar Road, Putney.

With gardens stretching down to the River Thames, this idyllic riverside setting provided a nurturing environment where even the youngest children, some as young as four, occasionally boarded.

Following Rosemary Whitehead’s retirement In 2000, the school was purchased by its current family owners. Four years later, Hurlingham moved into its purpose-built premises on Putney Bridge Road, where it continues to thrive today. From a roll of just 64 pupils in 2000, the Prep School has grown to accommodate up to 350 children, with an additional 100 places at our Nursery.

The Nursery, formerly Lion House School, was acquired in 2017 and is located on Gwendolen Avenue, Putney. It is now exclusively Hurlingham Nursery, with strong and seamless links to the Prep School.

Our Ownership and Governance

Hurlingham is a family-owned independent preparatory school, run without the constraints of a large school trust. This allows the School to respond uniquely to the needs of its pupils, parents, and staff, ensuring decisions are shaped by the community it serves.

The School and Nursery are owned by The Hurlingham School Company Limited and Hurlingham School Nursery Limited, respectively. Both companies are private limited companies and not a registered charity.

Fiona Goulden (Principal and Director)

As a full-time member of the School community, Fiona has day-to-day responsibility for the overall running of the School. She works closely with the Head, Senior Leadership Team and support staff to guide and support every aspect of school life.

George Duncan (Director)

Fiona's father, now retired from daily management of the school, George retains a keen interest in the School’s ongoing success.

Simon Gould (Head)

Leads the educational direction of the School, with responsibility for teaching, learning, and whole-school development. He works closely with the Principal to drive strategic planning, support staff and pupil wellbeing, and ensure continuous improvement across all areas of school life.

Chris Kraft (Executive Director)

Serves as a critical friend and sounding board for the executive team. In addition to this strategic role, he is actively involved in finance, marketing, and human resources, and also leads the organisation’s commercial initiatives.

The School also benefits from a Board of Advisors, who meet termly with the Directors, Principal, and Head. This ensures strong accountability, constructive challenge, and support in shaping the future of Hurlingham.

Our Advisory Board

Brinda Thomsen

Brinda is an experienced global data privacy, digital security and technology lawyer with expertise in multiple industry sectors, including telecoms, broadcast and media, financial services, healthcare and energy. She worked for many years as a Senior Legal Advisor for Sky (UK) and subsequently held senior positions at Societe Generale, GSK and BP. She is currently Senior Counsel for Cyber & Privacy at Philip Morris International.
Brinda lives in Putney with her husband and two sons who were both pupils at Hurlingham. During her free time Brinda enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family and yoga.

Diana Watkins

Diana served as a Head for 22 years, her career in education spanning the maintained and independent sectors across all age ranges, from a non-selective city comprehensive to headship of a girls’ prep day and boarding school.
With a Masters degree in Education and ILM Level 7 Coaching qualification, she is an Executive Coach and Educational Consultant supporting the professional development of Heads and Senior Leaders. As a Senior Advisor at RSAcademics, Diana works on leadership appointments in the independent prep school sector. She has recently become the Regional Support Representative for IAPS in the North London region.
Her educational work includes advising Boards and Proprietors in various prep schools, and employees of large companies in London. She has also acted as mediator and advocate for parents and schools during dispute resolution processes.
As a former Chair of IAPS, Diana had the privilege of visiting schools across the UK, Kenya, Australia and the USA. She has been a Governor of Perrott Hill School, Port Regis School, The Hall in Hampstead and has undertaken school inspections for ISI.

Jason McKinlay

Jason currently splits his time as Operations Director at Reed’s School in Cobham and Bursar at Ripley Court School, roles he has been carrying out since May 2022.
Prior to that, he spent 6 years as Bursar at Feltonfleet School. Before working in education, he ran a small marketing agency with his wife (based in Wadham Road, just opposite the School!). He is married to Becky and has 3 children who have now all finished school, leaving Jason more time to follow his passions of watching rugby and riding motorbikes.

Susie West

Susie brings a wealth of expertise to the Board of Advisors, all delivered with infectious enthusiasm and a vibrant sense of humour. She has taught in both maintained and independent sectors and has experience working with all age groups from Reception to senior school Sixth Form.
She has taught overseas in Kuala Lumpur, but more recently was on the academic staff at Sussex House, and Deputy Head at Kensington Prep. Furthermore, for over thirteen years Susie was Head at St Christopher’s School in Hampstead.
She now mentors new heads and carries our leadership appraisals. She is passionate that education must always look forward, by teaching the skills needed for the future, beginning in the earliest of years. Innovative and vivacious in everything that she does, Susie has also worked in business, fashion, the NHS and the motor trade!