Shrewsbury School and Jagran Social Welfare Society announce appointment of the Founding Headmaster

Following on from recent announcements that Shrewsbury School and Jagran Social Welfare Society will open a new premium international boarding school in Madhya Pradesh, India, the partners are pleased to announce the following leadership appointment:

Founding Headmaster Dominic Tomalin joins the new school from CATS Cambridge, where he has been Principal since 2019. Dominic’s appointment at Shrewsbury International School India is his second headship. CATS Cambridge is a leading UK International Boarding School, prior to that he has held school leadership roles across the main educational functions at two HMC boarding schools. He has variously led and managed teaching and learning, boarding and pastoral care, and the provision of co and extra-curricular activities.

Dominic brings a rare blend of skills and experience to Shrewsbury International School India. Before becoming a teacher, he had a successful career as a senior business executive working in the logistics, telecommunications, and defence sectors, and before that served as an officer in the British Army with the Corps of Royal Engineers.

Educated at Pangbourne College and the University of Durham, Dominic completed his military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Royal School of Military Engineering. He graduated from Durham with a degree in Natural Sciences and has subsequently completed two master’s degrees one in international economics and the other in educational leadership. His eclectic academic background has allowed him to teach maths, physics, business, and economics.

Dominic has made a significant contribution to the co and extra-curricular provision at all the schools at which he has worked. He has coached rugby and athletics and has also led a wide variety of adventurous training trips. He has also served as commander for a tri-service contingent of the Combined Cadet Force, taken the lead for university applications, and created and run leadership development programmes for senior students.

Throughout his teaching career Dominic has taken an active interest in the art and science of learning, in particular how best to elicit learning and development in children and young adults. He has designed and delivered ‘Learning to Learn’ programmes aimed at assisting students to develop the skills, habits, attitudes, and behaviours needed to become effective lifelong learners.

Dominic is married to Clare and has two children. Clare and Henry will be joining Dominic at the Shrewsbury International School India. Dominic’s daughter, Zoe, read English at the University of Cambridge and now lives and works in London as a TV producer and writer.  

Dominic remarks: “I am delighted to be joining the Jagran Social Welfare Society and to be working with Shrewsbury School as founding headmaster of Shrewsbury International School India. My family and I are thrilled by the prospect of living and working in such a vibrant part of the world. This is a fabulous venture, our plans have real ambition, we will be working to show what is possible, what can be achieved in education.

"My aim is to make Shrewsbury International School India, a beacon that illuminates and demonstrates the great power of a holistic education. It will be a school at which the whole person is educated, and from which pupils go into the world with a real understanding of how to make the most of their talents and a strong desire to make a real contribution.”

Leo Winkley, Headmaster at Shrewsbury School added:“We are thrilled to be opening Shrewsbury International School India with our partners at the Jagran Social Welfare Society. It was a pleasure to assist in appointing Dominic Tomalin as the Founding Headmaster and I look forward to working closely and collaboratively with him in the exciting months and years ahead.

"Shrewsbury School will continue to provide full support while engaging in a spirit of close and meaningful collaboration and idea-sharing. We look forward to supporting the development of world-class academic learning, co-curricular and pastoral provision, inspiring India’s future leaders, doers and makers.”

Abhishek Gupta, Vice Chairman Jagran Social Welfare Society, said:“I am excited to invite such a passionate, visionary leader on board with the full support of Shrewsbury School (UK) Governors, Headmaster Mr Leo Winkley and International Development Director, Dr Maghin Tamilarasan. Dominic comes to us with extraordinary independent school and boarding experience that will stand us in good stead as we set up Shrewsbury International School India to be amongst the very best schools in the country and wider region. Jagran Social Welfare Society is honoured to be establishing such an important project in India where we will develop the next generation of leaders on a wonderful purpose-built 150-acre campus.”