Has crisis management firm forced Eton’s controversial head ‘Trendy Hendy’ into wearing a tie and dumping ultra-liberal books from his shelves?
- Brunswick Group has been brought in to help rebuild Eton College’s PR image
- It has been in the limelight since the sacking of an English teacher last November
- Liberal books have vanished from head’s shelf and replaced with leather tomes
A crisis management firm looks to have forced Eton’s controversial head ‘Trendy Hendy’ into wearing a tie and dumping ultra-liberal books from his shelves.
The exclusive school has been forced into the limelight recently, following the sacking of English teacher Will Knowland in November over a YouTube lecture criticising feminist thinking and the conviction of ex-teacher Matthew Mowbray for sexually assaulting three boys.
Today the Mail On Sunday has revealed how £42,500-a-year Eton has drafted in City PR firm Brunswick to help the school, and headmaster Simon Henderson, rebuild their image.
The Mail On Sunday’s Charlotte Griffiths writes today: ‘My sources say Brunswick is on board to help Henderson quash the rumours, bring unity to the school and calm down those who accuse him of eradicating traditions in favour of a woke makeover.
Simon Henderson looks to have ditched his ultra-liberal books and donned a tie since PR gurus Brunswick were called in to help rebuild Eton’s image
‘It looks to me like Brunswick has also advised him to start wearing a tie and remove a set of PC books from his bookshelf.
‘Trendy Hendy has been making Zoom calls which display Isabella Tree’s Wilding book – about creating new habitats for wildlife; hipster bible Girl Up; and Everyday Sexism, a patriarchy-smashing essay collection.
‘In his most recent video, on February 11, they had been replaced with leather-bound reference tomes.’
Brunswick strategists are moving in after two major scandals.
There is also said to be an atmosphere of disunity after the head was branded ‘Trendy Hendy’ for bringing woke values to the school and sacked several members of the old guard after he was hired in 2015.
A source said: ‘Brunswick’s appointment has been made in relation to the particular situation Eton is currently in.’
Another source close to the school said that the majority of remaining teachers support Henderson, but admitted several remain who don’t.
Ms Griffiths adds in today’s Mail On Sunday: ‘The PR firm will have kept an eye on Dr Brendan Cooper who I can reveal has just resigned as head of English after seven years.
‘He penned a carefully written note, which had the whiff of Brunswick speak about it – though he did not personally take advice from the firm – to say he was stepping down ‘after a great deal of reflection’.
Brunswick Group – famous for high-profile crisis management and eye-watering prices – has been appointed to help headmaster Simon Henderson. Pictured: Eton College
‘Dr Cooper was keen to stress the turbulent year was unrelated to his decision, and he is a firm supporter of Henderson.
‘But many teachers have railed against the head’s progressive shake-up of the institution and have spread rumours he is going to resign – although he insists he is not.
‘In January Henderson sent bottles of £9 prosecco to staff, with a thank-you note offering ‘best wishes’ for the new term.
‘My source says of Brunswick’s advice: “It’s pretty obvious stuff: suck up to the teachers and calm down on the wokery. I do hope they aren’t charging too much for the service.”‘