Philip Gilchrist
Melton Mowbray
Summary
Experienced and dynamic education professional with over 15 years of expertise in admissions, marketing, and co-curricular program management. Currently serving as the Head of Admissions, I have successfully developed and implemented comprehensive operational plans, recruitment processes, and compliance strategies. My role involves leading a team of Registrars, planning and executing open and recruitment events, and maintaining strong relationships with feeder schools and agents.
Previously, as the Head of Marketing, Admissions, and Development, I spearheaded marketing and communication strategies that significantly enhanced the school's reputation and pupil recruitment. My strategic leadership as a member of the Senior Leadership Team contributed to the school's growth and development.
In addition to my admissions and marketing roles, I have extensive experience in co-curricular coordination and pastoral care. As a Senior Boys Housemaster and Co-Curricular Coordinator, I have promoted a nurturing environment, managed boarding house operations, and introduced innovative activities to enhance student engagement.
My background also includes significant contributions to sports education and coaching, having served as the Director of Sport and various coaching roles at prestigious institutions. I have a proven track record of developing and implementing successful sports programs, managing budgets, and fostering strong community relationships.
I am passionate about driving student success and institutional growth through strategic planning, effective communication, and collaborative leadership.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of Admissions
Stamford School
Stamford, Lincolnshire
04.2024 - Current
- Develop a clear operational plan for admissions including a consistent recruitment process for all entry points: junior, 11+, 13+, 16+ and in year admissions
- Line management of a team of Registrars
- Construct and implementation of a feeder school and agent strategy to ensure strong relationships and communications are built with these important partners, both locally and internationally
- Planning of Open and Recruitment Events, including Scholarship Day’s and awarding process, working closely with the SLT and key staff members
- Responsibility for admissions compliance; including maintaining the admissions register, Tier 4 visa requirements, data protection principles and other relevant legislations
- Manage the Leavers list to help with student retention. Liaising closely with members of SLT, Heads of Year and subject leads.
- Maintenance of the admissions calendar, making sure all the years events are published both internally and on the website.
- Development of a reporting suite to ensure admissions decisions are evidence based and conversion is maximised at all key stages of the admissions journey
- Work closely with the Head of Marketing to highlight specific areas and year groups that need prioritising in their campaigns
Head of Marketing, Admissions and Development
Plymouth College
04.2023 - 01.2025
- Developing and implementing marketing, communications and pupil strategies, ensuring that they serve to differentiate Plymouth College from its competitors
- Overseeing marketing and communications across the Plymouth College community with a view to strengthening the school's reputation, both internally and externally, with all key stakeholders
- Develop and create partnership opportunities with local and national organisations
- Ensuring the optimum fill of the School, monitoring and responding to key market trends in pupil recruitment, and revising strategies and tactical marketing plans where appropriate
- Organise and run all events across the school
- Manage teams across the departments of marketing, admissions and development, developing strategies and plans to underpin the School's strategic development goals
- Ensure that Plymouth College raises its profile locally, nationally and overseas and meets growth targets for UK and overseas pupil recruitment
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will attend Governors' meetings, contributing to wide-ranging strategic discussions and decisions
- Develop and implement a strategy for recruiting pupils, both day and boarding, for Plymouth College for the future
- Produce financial models based on projections for pupil numbers, and produce updates of any changes
- Develop and implement the School's communication and public relations strategy by raising awareness
- Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni relations programme to engage and connect with a global network of alumni and generate support for the school's ambitious development objectives
- Collaborate with the Bursar to create and execute fundraising strategies and campaigns
- Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors, foundations, and corporate partners
Head of Boys' Boarding
Ratcliffe College
09.2016 - 04.2023
- Managing the daily running of the boarding house, including staffing allocation and promoting a safe, enjoyable and nurturing environment
- Monitoring the academic and pastoral care of all the students in the house, through the tutor system and House Diary
- Communicating regularly with parents and guardians to keep them updated on the progress of their child
- Assist with the marketing and recruitment process, attending conferences in and other marketing events around the world
- Manage the Thai International Football Academy Project and LCFC Academy Programme
- Including liasing with all stakeholders
- Building links with LCFC and King Power in Thailand
Co-Curricular Co-ordinator
Ratcliffe College
09.2018 - 09.2022
- Organising the timetabling and staffing of the whole school Co-Curricular programme, liaising with the Departments of Sport, Music, Drama, CCF and DofE
- Oversea the planning and organising of all International Exchanges
- Monitoring the participation levels of students and also the contribution of staff, reporting to SLT with specific recommendations and plans for the future
Director of Sport
Ratcliffe College
09.2011 - 09.2016
- Managing the daily running of the PE department, while also devising and guiding the Senior Leadership Team with short, medium and long term strategies to enable the school to further enhance its sporting provision
- Oversaw the design and construction of the second astro turf, tartan running track and new Fitness Suite
- Managing the budget requirements of the department with regular updates to the Finance Director
- Experience of teaching GCSE PE and BTec Sport
- Attend events to promote and market the school, including parent teacher meetings, public events and scholarship days
- Responsible for all staffing, organisation of fixtures and tournaments including facility availability, transport arrangements and catering
Junior School Games Co-ordinator
Ratcliffe College
09.2010 - 09.2011
- Planning Co-Curricular activities, introducing new sports and ideas, and managing staff and pupils to achieve these
- Organise and run fixtures in the Senior and Junior Schools
- Organising of sporting festivals in netball, football and cross country, liaising closely with teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and external agencies
Professional Footballer
07.1990 - 11.2010
- Playing professional football for the following clubs; Nottingham Forest FC, Middlesbrough FC, Hartlepool United, Oxford United FC, Leicester City FC, West Bromwich Albion FC & Rotherham FC
Manager
Woking Football Club
05.2008 - 04.2009
- Planning long and short term strategies
- Sourcing and securing a new training ground
- Arranging travel and nutritional itineraries
- Negotiating contractual issues with players and agents while working within a set budget
- Attending board meetings to supply regular progress reports and updates
U12s' Academy Coach
Leicester City Football Club
12.2007 - 05.2008
- Planning and delivering technical and game-based sessions
- Constant monitoring with feedback through parents' evenings and reports
- Coaching matches and providing in depth analysis and reports for senior coaches
Education
PGCE -
Buckingham University
09.2014 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Science -
Loughborough University
09.2011 - 07.2013
Foundation Degree in Sports Science with Merit - undefined
Loughborough University
09.2009 - 07.2011
BTEC National in Business Management - undefined
Clarendon College
09.1989 - 07.1991
GCSE - undefined
Newlands FCJ Convent
Skills
- Analytics
- Teaching and Coaching
- Leadership
- Communications and Operations
- Strategic Planning and Reporting
- Fundraising and Partnerships
- Pastoral and Wellbeing
- Public Relations
- Proficient in all IT Platforms
- Recruitment, Mentoring and Development
- Budget management
Languages
English
Custom
- AMCIS Marketing Diploma
- Mental Health First Aid
- Designated Safeguarding Lead Level 3 course
- Independent Coaches Director of Sport and Director of Co-curricular Conferences
- UEFA 'B' Football Licence
- Level 2 qualified Hockey and Cricket coach
Timeline
Head of Admissions
Stamford School
04.2024 - Current
Head of Marketing, Admissions and Development
Plymouth College
04.2023 - 01.2025
Co-Curricular Co-ordinator
Ratcliffe College
09.2018 - 09.2022
Head of Boys' Boarding
Ratcliffe College
09.2016 - 04.2023
PGCE -
Buckingham University
09.2014 - 07.2015
Director of Sport
Ratcliffe College
09.2011 - 09.2016
Bachelor of Science -
Loughborough University
09.2011 - 07.2013
Junior School Games Co-ordinator
Ratcliffe College
09.2010 - 09.2011
Foundation Degree in Sports Science with Merit - undefined
Loughborough University
09.2009 - 07.2011
Manager
Woking Football Club
05.2008 - 04.2009
U12s' Academy Coach
Leicester City Football Club
12.2007 - 05.2008
Professional Footballer
07.1990 - 11.2010
BTEC National in Business Management - undefined
Clarendon College
09.1989 - 07.1991
GCSE - undefined
Newlands FCJ Convent
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