James Kidd

Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA (Ed), MA (Business Management), PGCE

James joined the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges in September 2020 as Vice Principal (Pastoral) in DLD College, London and has achieved successive promotions, first to Senior Vice Principal (Pastoral) in 2021 and then to Principal of DLD College London in September 2024. With a distinguished career in education of nearly 20 years, James has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.  He was then appointed to Executive Principal of Abbey College Manchester in March 2026, leading both DLD College London and Abbey College Manchester.

Prior to his time at DLD, he was Assistant Headteacher (Boarding and Co-Curricular) at St. John’s School, Leatherhead and was a Housemaster in the largest boys’ boarding house in the school and previously spent five years as a successful Head of Department.

With two post-graduate Masters degrees, an MA in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Nottingham and an MA in Business Management from Kingston University, James also has the BSA boarding management qualification from Roehampton University and is currently studying for his Doctorate in Education.

James is passionate about holistic education and the development of young people and is pleased to have joined the DLD College London team where he can support the College with its ambitious development plans and growth strategy over the years to come.

Outside of school, James is a governor at a state school and is also team manager for the Surrey Schools’ Athletics Team. For his sins, he admits to being a Spurs and Quins fan and he loves a bit of karaoke!