Roedean School headmaster Oliver Blond to step down after a decade

Roedean School announced that Oliver Blond will step down from his role in September 2023.

Ahead of his departure from the school in Brighton, Mr Blond said: “My proudest achievement is the way we have all worked tirelessly and cooperatively to ensure that Roedean is a place in which the girls can enjoy their time at school, grow up at their own pace and flourish, whatever their particular interests or passions.

• READ MORE: ‘I’d do it every year if allowed’ – Fatboy Slim to revisit classic tunes at beach festival

“It has been a privilege and an honour to work with such an incredibly committed and wonderful body of staff, and to serve the pupils over what will be an entire decade.

“We have collectively raised, encouraged and supported the aspirations of so many pupils.

“Roedean is in a very good place, with more pupils than at any time in its history, stronger academic achievements than ever before and a huge and impressive array of opportunities. I hope I leave the school in great shape for the future.”

In a statement, Roedean School thanked Mr Blond for his “committed and determined work”, which has led to pupil numbers doubling since his arrival.

The school’s trustees said the headmaster help the institute become  “renowned in the local area and internationally for genuinely holistic education of the highest quality”.

“During his time at Roedean, the school's popularity has grown exponentially and, due to this, the school’s revenue has more than doubled, providing even greater capacity to reinvest in its facilities, attract and retain the best teachers, develop further educational opportunities, and, vitally, support talented children through bursaries and scholarships,” a school spokeswoman said.

“Importantly, this underlying financial strength has also enabled the school to support its staff and families during the pandemic, and extend its support to local schools.”

Mr Blond has led the school through five successive outstanding inspections, most recently in November 2021.

Vivien Smiley, interim chairwoman of the school’s council, said: “Mr Blond has transformed Roedean in his time at the school, and will be greatly missed by staff, parents and girls alike.

“Through his visionary and dedicated leadership he leaves Roedean in a position of considerable strength. We wish him and his family all the very best for their next adventures and endeavours.”