Wellington School’s Headmaster Moves on to New Chapter
Wellington School has announced that Headmaster, Eugene du Toit, will be leaving the School at the end of the academic year. Mr du Toit, who became Headmaster at the leading independent school in 2019, will leave Wellington at the end of the summer term 2024, to take up a new role as Master of Haileybury near Hertford, just 20 miles from London. Haileybury was named one of the ‘Best UK Independent Schools 2024’ by The Times.
Eugene joined the School from Trinity School of John Whitgift, Croydon, where he was Senior Deputy Head and has extensive strategic development experience, as well as an impressive academic and pastoral leadership background. His sound business acumen and strategic approach has enabled him to navigate the School through the tricky waters of Covid, strengthen the overall provision, restructure the house and pastoral system and significantly increase the number on roll, as well as being awarded “Excellent in all Areas” in the recent 2023 ISI Inspection Report.
The School has been shortlisted for, and won a significant number of prestigious awards during his tenure and Eugene du Toit himself was shortlisted for the TES Headteacher of the Year 2023 award.
With his wife Angela and their two young daughters, the du Toit family have thrown themselves into Wellington School life and been valuable and lively members of the community. Chair of the Governing Body, Anna Govey, said “Eugene had been an “outstanding” headmaster and had been instrumental in overseeing and implementing many new developments. Under Eugene’s outstanding leadership since 2019, the School has gone from strength to strength, significantly increasing the number on roll during troubled times.” ”
We are hugely grateful for all that has been done under Eugene’s stewardship. The education environment is facing a time of change and, while a new Head will help us to navigate that change, our ethos, culture and core values will remain steadfast and of profound importance. The special essence of the School will continue to flourish.”
“The School is in excellent heart and we are proud of the strength of the boarding community and pastoral care, and the beauty of the campus. The pursuit of excellence in both academic achievement and in a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom is accompanied by an equal focus on wellbeing and the happiness of our pupils.”
Ms Govey continues, “Governors will be seeking a successor with the vision and credentials to lead Wellington through the next stage of its development. We are looking for experienced candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and expect to make an appointment by Easter.”
Founded in 1837, the Senior School provides boarding and day pupil education for over 700 boys and girls aged 11 to 18, with a further 200 in the Prep School. The School occupies a 35-acre site, in the heart of Somerset.
“We thank Eugene for all his hard work over the past years and wish him and his family the very best in his future career at Haileybury,” concludes Anna Govey.
Wellington School Headmaster Eugene du Toit will be moving to Haileybury in September 2024