Saracens Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) has welcomed Chris Woolf to the role following the retirement of founding CEO Kate Alcock.
Founded in 2017, Saracens MAT was established as part of the rugby club’s ambition to create an educational legacy in its community.
Since opening Saracens High School in 2018, the trust has expanded to include Saracens Bell Lane in 2024 and Saracens Broadfields in 2025.
It now educates more than 2,200 young people and says it is guided by the same values as the rugby club: discipline, hard work, honesty, and humility.
Mr Woolf said: “I was drawn to the amazing work the trust has already done in the high school since it was founded and in the two primary schools that have recently joined. Less than 5 per cent of young people from lower income families go to university.
Saracens High School is sending 90 per cent onto degrees and future professional careers. That is a stellar achievement and I would love to support the schools in the trust and help it grow so that more young people’s life chances can be impacted by it. The links to the rugby club make this unique in the educational world and I am immensely excited to get started.”
Mr Woolf joins the trust from Wellington College International, where he was senior international director.
His career began teaching English in Barnet, before moving to China as head of English at Dulwich College Beijing.
He later served as deputy head and then head of senior school at the same college.
Upon returning to the UK, he became the founding head of Pinner High School in Harrow, which quickly became the most oversubscribed school in the borough.
Chair of Saracens MAT Kevin Perry said: “The foundation of Saracens MAT’s educational philosophy is simple but enormously powerful: to ensure that every child receives the opportunity for a bright and successful future.
“We are delighted that Chris will continue this work, building on the strong foundations laid by Kate and her team.”
