Who We Are

Harry Pakenham

Director of Pakenham Education Ltd

Harry Pakenham was born in 1972 and educated at Reed's school and University Cape Town where he read English and Psychology. He is the third son of the late Hon Patrick Pakenham and a grandson of the late 7th Earl and Countess of Longford.

In 1996 he began his teaching career at Moreton Hall, a mixed Catholic preparatory school in Suffolk and, within three years, he became Acting Headmaster as well as head of English. During his time there, he was head of cricket, rugby and athletics.

In 2000 he was appointed Housemaster at Papplewick School in Ascot. As well as being 1st XV rugby coach in 2004, he taught Common Entrance English and Scholarship English. The 2002 ISI reported that the teaching at the top end of the school was 'very good'.

From 2008 to 2011 he worked as Housemaster and Head of English at Sunningdale School. Over half of the English Common Entrance papers, many of which were marked by Harrow and Eton, were graded 'A' during this time.

Following the 2008 ISI, an inspector remarked that his scholarship lesson on poetry was inspiring and outstanding:

'When boys in Form VI discussed WB Yeats' poem 'An Irish Airman Foresees his Death', they explored complex ideas about human motivation without fear of a wrong answer'.

On leaving Sunningdale School in 2011 to start his own tuition and educational consultancy business, Headmaster, Tom Dawson, said:

'Mr Pakenham has exceptionally high standards of his pupils and their excellent results reflect his ambitious approach to teaching and learning'.

Throughout the last two decades, Harry has established numerous networks and links to independent preparatory and senior independent schools. Pakenham Education provides advice, school placements and tuition to British and overseas clients.

Harry is a keen sportsman and plays golf at Sunningdale Golf Club where he has played off a handicap of one.

Julia Pakenham

Director of Pakenham Education Ltd

Julia began playing the flute and piano at the age of 11, earning the distinction of being grade eight in piano and reaching diploma standard before her twelfth birthday.

Within a year, she had won a place at the Royal College of Music as a junior exhibitioner. She attended music college every Saturday until she was 18 years old. At 16 she started studying the harpsichord and specialising in early music.

In her third year at Southampton University, Julia performed as a soloist in the Bach double harpsichord concerto and gave regular harpsichord recitals. At that time she was the only student to regularly perform from original manuscripts on the harpsichord.

After graduating, Julia worked as a university flute teacher for two years and an administrator at the Turner Sims concert hall in Southampton. Alongside this, she played in various chamber groups and as a flautist in different musical theatre productions.

In 1999 she began working as a class music teacher at Lambrook School in Berkshire. Whilst there, she received an outstanding IAPS report for her class teaching. Additionally, Julia wrote the words and music for two school plays: “The Reindeer Rock” and “Henry’s Wives” as well as various songs for school events.

Julia left Lambrook in 2005 and started working as a Kindermusik specialist and instrumental teacher. Over the last few years, Julia has worked with flute and piano students of all ages and abilities. Many of these students have been working towards exams and competitive festivals. Julia has also tutored many pupils towards successful applications to preparatory and senior independent schools, as well as music colleges and conservatoires.

These applications include:

Her pupils have won scholarships and exhibitions to the following schools:

Julia has achieved an exceptionally high level of exam success over the last ten years. More than 70% of her students have achieved merits and distinctions in practical and theory exams. Julia has helped in excess of 600 music examinees

By helping students to achieve exceptional music results, Julia Pakenham provides clients of Pakenham Education with the necessary extra-curricular awards that make their applications more attractive to the best private schools in the UK.

Geoff Martin

Associate Consultant to Pakenham Education Ltd

Geoff Martin has been a Head of Department, Boarding Housemaster, Director of Studies, an Inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate and until recently the Deputy Head of Reed’s School, Cobham, UK.

Over the past twenty years he has developed close links with the Dutch education system and is a regular visitor to The Netherlands as well as a number of other countries.

Pakenham Education is delighted that Geoff Martin has joined our team. He has an enviable knowledge of independent schools, their practices and admissions’ policies. Harry Pakenham first met Mr Martin, as he had to be known in those days, in 1985 when he joined Geoff’s House, Mullens, at Reed’s school where his two brothers had already established excellent relations with the most popular of Housemasters.

Madeleine Collins

Associate Consultant to Pakenham Education Ltd

Madeleine Collins is excited to be joining the Pakenham Education Team next Summer. She has worked in education for almost forty years in London and Berkshire. She is currently Headmistress of Upton House in Windsor where she has been for nearly seventeen years.

During her time there she has successfully increased pupil numbers and masterminded five vital new building projects to secure the future of an extremely popular, successful and thriving co-educational school whose reputation is second to none.

Madeleine has a BA Honours degree from UEA and a PGCE from Oxford University. She and her husband moved to Windsor from London in 2003; they have three grown-up children.

She comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge of schools and during her career has successfully placed thousands of children in academically demanding schools such as The Lady Eleanor Holles School, Eton College, St Mary’s Ascot, Wycombe Abbey, Harrow, Westminster and numerous boarding schools across the country.