King Edward's School, Birmingham

Chief Master And Principal

Mrs Kirsty von Malaise

Chief Master and Principal of King Edward's School (KES) and King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)

Director Of Curriculum, Teaching And Learning

Mr Martin Lea

Director of KE Independent Schools Curriculum, Teaching and Learning covering both KES and KEHS. Began career at King Edward VI Five Ways as Teacher of Chemistry and IT. Previously Vice Principal (Academic) at KEHS from 2015.

Chief Master & Principal

Kirsty von Malaisé

Mrs von Malaisé has been Chief Master & Principal of King Edward's School and King Edward VI High School for Girls since September 2024, having first joined KEHS as Principal in 2020. Educated at music school, conservatoire and the University of Cambridge, where she read English. She was a BBC Young Musician of the Year prizewinner. She began her teaching career in London state schools, before becoming Deputy Head at Putney High School. As Headmistress of Norwich High School, she led the school to be named 'Independent Girls' School of the Year'. (BA English, Cambridge)

Second Master

Edward Swanwick

Ed Swanwick is an experienced educator with a strong record of contributing to high-performing independent schools in the UK, Australia and the international schools' sector. He holds a BA and a BEd from the University of Queensland, and a master's degree in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Cambridge. He has held a range of senior positions in leading independent schools, including Assistant Head at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Clifton College in Bristol, Senior Deputy at Toowoomba Anglican School in Australia, and Vice Principal at Westbourne International. (BA, BEd, MA Educational Leadership and School Improvement Cambridge)

Director Of Curriculum, Teaching And Learning

Martin Lea

Mr Lea is the Director of KE Independent Schools Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, a role which covers both King Edward VI High School for Girls and King Edward's School. He began his career at King Edward VI Five Ways as a Teacher of Chemistry and Information Technology. Before joining KEHS in 2015 as Vice Principal (Academic), he was Assistant Headteacher at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School.

Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Daniel Kennedy

Dr Kennedy holds a joint honours degree in English and Philosophy. He completed his postgraduate work at University College Cork and earned his PGCE at the University of Warwick. He has worked across a range of schools in both the maintained and independent sectors, serving in various roles, including Teacher of English, Senior Head of House, Head of English and in several Extended Leadership positions. Dr Kennedy is Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at King Edward's School. (Joint Honours English and Philosophy, PGCE Warwick)