Bangkok, Thailand
Ms. Kirsty Lowery, Founding Headmistress of Uppingham School Hung Yen, recently participated as a featured panelist in the International Heads Panel Discussion at the 2026 HMC (The Heads' Conference), hosted by AISL Harrow Schools and Harrow Bangkok.
The Heads' Conference carries a deep historical connection for Uppingham. It originated in 1869 when Edward Thring, the legendary Headmaster of Uppingham School in England (1853–1887), invited sixty fellow headmasters to his home to discuss the pressing educational challenges of the era. This historic gathering resulted in the formation of the organisation known today as HMC. Edward Thring, widely regarded as the second founder of Uppingham School, was a pioneering figure in holistic education who transformed British educational traditions during his 34 years of leadership.
Given this profound institutional tie, Ms. Lowery felt deeply honored to carry Thring’s legacy into a modern, international headship context. In a landscape that offers significant opportunities to shape schools with clarity of vision, lead diverse global communities, and innovate at pace, her advice for those aspiring to headship was clear: remain values-driven, open-minded, and resilient, while wholeheartedly embracing the immense breadth of experience the role demands.
Reflecting on the conference, her key takeaway was the growing recognition of international headship as fully equivalent in stature to UK headship. The inherent complexity and scale of these roles mean international Heads are increasingly held in high esteem globally. It is now far more common for school leaders to move fluidly between international and UK schools, reflecting the undeniable maturity, credibility, and prestige of the international sector.
About Uppingham School Vietnam
Uppingham – a prestigious British boarding school with a rich heritage spanning over four centuries – has officially arrived in Asia through an exclusive strategic partnership with Viet Capital Education (VCE). Uppingham Vietnam – Hung Yen, Uppingham’s first campus in Vietnam, is situated on a 4.7-hectare site within the premium township of Ecopark.