In a break with a longstanding tradition, one of the UK's leading Catholic independent schools has appointed Dr James Whitehead to lead the school into a new era
The Trustees and Governors of Downside Abbey and School in Somerset have appointed Dr James Whitehead as Head Master of Downside School. He will be taking up the post from Easter 2014, succeeding Dom Leo Maidlow Davis who has been Head Master for 10 years.
The Abbot of Downside, Dom Aidan Bellenger, said:
"This is a historic moment, the appointment of our first lay Head Master, but I know he has a profound understanding of our ethos and tradition.
"We are very pleased to welcome him back and could not have chosen a better candidate to pioneer the next period in our school’s history and a new era for the Monastic Community here at Downside.
"We wish Dr Whitehead and his family every success in their future life at Downside."
Dr Whitehead, currently Senior Deputy Head at Worth School in Sussex, is returning to Downside where he was Head of English and subsequently Director of Studies from 2004-2007.
Educated at Stonyhurst College and at Hertford College, Oxford, Dr Whitehead obtained further degrees from Stirling and Manchester Universities. He has also taught at Radley College and alongside his proven commitment to Benedictine education is involved in a number of educational projects.
Dr Whitehead is married to Nicola and they and their two children, Ignatia and Chiara, are very much looking forward to moving to Downside in what will be the school’s Bicentenary year in its’ current location.
Downside School is a co-educational Catholic independent school for children aged 11 to 18, located in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, between Westfield and Shepton Mallet in Somerset. It is attached to Downside Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that dates back to 1814.