英国校长联合会1869年建立，当时阿平厄姆郡著名的爱德华·思林邀请他属下37名校长到他的府邸召开“学校协会和年度会议” 时，12名校长接受了邀请。自该日起每年都召开年度会议。年会的内容结合了现有教育问题的辩论和轻松的对话式交流。
现在，英国校长联合会代表了英国和爱尔兰近250个优秀独立学校，这些学校旨在提供一流的教育。英国校长联合会的成员都是全世界闻名的教育界精英。英国校长 联合会有大约60个国际校长，及近30个加盟成员（英国的公助学校的校长）。
英国校长联合会旨在服务及支持其成员，代表他们的观点，为他们树立在教育领域的榜样。换言之，英国校长联合会目的是：
帮助成员校长变成更有效的领导者；
组织对全国性及世界性的教育问题的讨论；
针对独立学校的利益，影响国家政策和大众观点。
成员们定期在不同的地点召开年会。
在考虑选择新会员方面，联合会的委员会很大程度上从学校的领导和该校独立自主决策的程度考虑。学校的优秀与否还与学校的学术成绩相关，以及学生在A-Level课程之外学习其他课程的比例。
自1963年起，英国校长联合会创办了会刊，名为《会议共同点》。里面涵盖了在独立学校教育方面创造既保持了很高标准的人的理念及观点。
ABOUT HMC
The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) dates from 1869, when the celebrated Edward Thring of Uppingham asked thirty-seven of his fellow headmasters to meet at his house to consider the formation of a 'School Society and Annual Conference'. Twelve headmasters accepted the invitation. From that date there have been annual meetings, which combine formal debate on current educational questions with the second element of conversational exchanges in an agreeable environment.
Today the HMC represents the Heads of some 250 leading independent schools in the UK and Ireland which aim to provide excellence in education. Schools whose heads are members of HMC are renowned worldwide and are at the forefront of educational excellence. HMC has a further 60 or so international members, and up to 30 additional members (Heads of maintained schools in the UK).
HMC exists to serve and support its members, to represent their views and to exemplify excellence in education. In particular, HMC seeks to:
help Heads to be more effective as leaders and managers
promote the discussion of national and international educational issues
influence national policy and public opinion with regard to the independent sector.
Members meet termly in geographical regions and once a year at the Annual Conference.
In considering applications for election to membership, the Committee has regard to the degree of independence enjoyed by the Head and his/her school. Eligibility also depends on the academic standards obtaining in the school, as reflected by the proportion of pupils in the Sixth Form pursuing a course of study beyond the General Certificate of Secondary Education and by the school's A Level results.
HMC produces a respected journal, founded in 1963, called "Conference and Common Room". It contains authoritative editorials of interest to all those who create and maintain the high standards associated with independent schools.
