James Piper was educated at Repton School, Derbyshire, and Durham University (BA: Classics), before completing a PGCE (Classics) at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

After dipping his toes into accountancy with Deloitte, he built up teaching experience in Kenya and N Yorkshire before joining the Dragon School, Oxford, as an NQT in 2000. There he became Head of Classics, was Master i/c Cricket, and ran a Year 6 boarding house. He also became an ISEB setter for Common Entrance Greek, a role which he still fulfils.

In 2011 James became Deputy Head at Bilton Grange Prep School, Rugby, before starting at the Perse Prep as Head in September 2014. In 2015 he completed an MEd (Educational Leadership) at the University of Buckingham.

In 2018 James started as a governor at Eastbourne College, Sussex and in 2020 he joined the Advisory Council for The Perse School Singapore, as well as taking on responsibility for the Junior Division of the Perse.