Introduction to APEX Oxford

Richard Youdale has spent over forty years working in UK independent education. A scholar himself, first at Winchester College and then at Emmanuel College Cambridge, Richard taught languages – classical and modern – at a number of prestigious schools before holding senior management positions culminating in the headship of one the world's oldest schools.

During his headship Richard established the International Study Centre at King's Ely, whilst at the same time developing support structures for students from outside the UK through guardianship. To meet this need Richard's wife Jane set up Alpha Plus Guardian Services, which now takes responsibility for students attending more than fifty schools and colleges in the UK.

Richard also acted for ten years as an inspector of independent schools. During this period he was a member of inspection teams reporting on many schools including Oundle, Dulwich College, King's Wimbledon, Westminster, Haileybury and Eton. Meanwhile he served a two-year term on the committee of HMC (now the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference). Over the course of his career Richard built up a network of personal and academic contacts with a large number of preparatory and senior ("public") schools, which have enabled him to offer parents and agents unique insights into the style and character of many different institutions.

We at APEX are thus well equipped to offer advice on the best possible choices for individual students.