School News 34
The Elizabethan Newsletter
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW HEAD MASTER OF WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster and new Chair of the Governing Body of Westminster School, announced that the Governing Body had appointed Dr Gary Savage as the new Head Master of Westminster School. Dr Savage will succeed Patrick Derham, who retires at the end of the forthcoming academic year (2019–20) after six years of outstanding leadership of the School. The appointment follows an extensive search; a very strong list of candidates applied for the post, from which Dr Savage was ultimately selected. Dr Savage grew up in Suffolk. He read History at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, taking a Double First before completing a PhD on the political culture and foreign policy of later 18th-century France. He was Head of History and Master-in-College at Eton College then Under Master at Westminster School, and since 2010 has been Headmaster at Alleyn’s School in Dulwich. He is married to Natalie and enjoys History, the Arts, studying German, walking his two Jack Russell terriers and following the fortunes of Ipswich Town FC. Dr Savage said: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been invited to be the new Head Master of Westminster School. I have very fond memories of this outstanding institution from my time as Under Master, and greatly admire Patrick Derham’s exceptional work during his tenure. I am grateful to the Governing Body for their faith in me and I very much look forward to getting to know the School afresh, and working with staff, pupils and the whole Westminster community as we enter an exciting new decade together.” Dr Savage will join a forward-looking school in very good heart, with outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements; the Governing Body has every confidence that this will continue under the leadership of Dr Savage.
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL AND HARRIS WESTMINSTER SIXTH FORM WERE NAMED INDEPENDENT-STATE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR AT THE TES INDEPENDENT SCHOOL AWARDS 2020 Westminster’s partnership with Harris Westminster Sixth Form, which was established in 2014 and has gone from strength to strength, is making a real difference for pupils and teaching staff alike, across both institutions. From joint classes in German, Music, Theatre Studies, Latin and Art History to joint involvement in co-curricular life, such as large-scale productions and society talks, pupils benefit from important shared opportunities for intellectual and cultural dialogue and exchange. In February we saw our two schools come together to stage an outstanding performance of Little Shop of Horrors. Meanwhile, teachers are sharing resources and expertise, with departments meeting to reflect on best practice and regular programmes of class observation and mentoring. The partnership has served to enrich learning, placing value on discussion, independent research and initiative. In 2019, 27 per cent of pupils at HWSF achieved A*AA at A Level, and 2020 has brought with it the offer of 44 Oxbridge places for this year’s university applicants. It is a genuine partnership that has led to impressive results and, perhaps more importantly, memorable experiences for all those involved. For more insight into the partnership from James Handscombe and Patrick Derham visit www.tes.com/news/ how-we-make-our-state-independentpartnership-work
