Gregory Hill, the former head teacher of Howard Junior School in King’s Lynn, has been officially banned from managing any independent schools. This decision follows a series of serious criminal convictions that have raised significant concerns about his suitability to lead educational institutions.
Hill’s troubled tenure began to unravel in March 2023 when he was arrested in front of parents and pupils at Howard Junior School. His conduct has since been scrutinized, leading to a ban that was added to the Department for Education’s list on April 13, 2026.
In August 2024, Hill was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail for harassing a female colleague. This was followed by another jail term in January 2025, where he received a six-month sentence for breaching a restraining order. These incidents have painted a troubling picture of Hill’s behavior, prompting officials to take decisive action.
Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, stated, “In the opinion of the Secretary of State, these relevant convictions and this relevant conduct make Mr Hill unsuitable to take part in the management of an independent school.” She further emphasized that Hill had engaged in relevant conduct that included failing to follow statutory safeguarding procedures and creating an unsafe environment for children and staff.
Having served as head of Howard Junior School for 16 years and as chief executive of the Apollo Academies Trust, Hill’s ban marks a significant shift in leadership for the institutions he once managed. Observers note that the ramifications of his actions will likely extend beyond his personal consequences, impacting the schools and communities involved.
As the situation develops, Hill has three months to appeal the ruling. However, the immediate future for Howard Junior School and Apollo Academies Trust remains uncertain as they navigate the fallout from his conduct and the subsequent ban.