Headteacher - St Michael Abbey School

Founding Headteacher

Mr Robert Ford

Prior to his appointment as Founding Headteacher of St Michael Abbey School, Mr Ford served as CEO & Director of Heritage International School in Moldova from 2019 until 2025, establishing the 1st international school in the country, gaining COBIS accreditation, the British Council international school award and offering a British model based on the Cambridge curriculum of IGCSEs and A Levels.

Mr Ford was born and educated in Shropshire and is a Politics graduate from the University of York, and holds a MEd in leadership and management, as well as his NPQH. He started his career at Bootham School in York and has been a teacher and school leader in state and independent schools in the UK and internationally for nearly 30 years.

Mr Ford was previously Principal of Wyedean School, Gloucestershire, UK where he successfully led a school nationally and internationally known for its innovative holistic curriculum and developed model of global learning. Mr Ford was co-founder of the IB schools’ network in the SW of England. He has been a senior leader in leading schools in Wales and England. In 2021, Mr Ford was given a “Global Principal” award from AKS.

Mr Ford is a long serving British Council Ambassador, an advisor and keynote speaker at many international conferences for the British Council and other similar organisations and has worked with and advised schools and school boards around the World. He had his first book “This Heart Shaped Land” about his time as principal of Wyedean, released in 2020.

Mr Ford is a regular writer for both the TES and International Schools Magazine/ISMP and is an international schools leader for the Varkey/UNESCO/TTF2030 Global Leaders Network. In January 2024, Mr Ford was shortlisted for the inaugural TES International Principal of the Year Awards. He is highly respected, recognised and experienced international school leader. Mr Ford is married with 3 daughters and lives in Bristol.

Founding Headteacher

Mr Robert Ford

Mr Ford's TES articles:

Mr Ford's ISMP articles:

Connect with Mr Ford on LinkedIn