WESTFIELD SCHOOL (WESTFIELD) IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ITS MERGER WITH THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL NEWCASTLE (RGS) AND THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF RGS NEWCASTLE GROUP OF SCHOOLS (RGS NEWCASTLE GROUP).
At a time when independent education is facing unprecedented pressures, the merger represents a confident and forward-looking commitment to safeguarding high-quality independent education in the North East.
As a group, both schools are committed to ensuring that families continue to have access to a broad range of independent educational options, recognising that individual children thrive in different environments.
Mr Stanford, Head of RGS Newcastle and Executive Head of the RGS Newcastle Group, said: “For RGS families, this merger represents continuity and stability at a time when the sector is facing significant change.
“While other independent schools are contracting their offer, we are grateful that our longstanding history and robust financial position, enables us to take this bold step forward.
“By coming together, we are strengthening our position through the benefits of scale, while creating exciting new opportunities for our students.
“Importantly, this merger strengthens our ability to invest in facilities, partnerships and curriculum innovation, ensuring we continue to deliver educational excellence within the group and beyond.
“Through the combined strength of The RGS Newcastle Group of Schools, we are not only strengthening the future of the region's independent education sector but expanding its impact - providing exceptional opportunities for pupils while continuing to widen access, support families and play a meaningful role in the wider educational landscape across the North East."
While RGS will continue to excel in nurturing students who thrive in a fast‑paced and academically challenging environment, Westfield will remain proudly academically inclusive, supporting every pupil to achieve their full potential through tailored expertise and individualised care.
Mr Walker, Head of Westfield School, has chosen to retire over the summer having stayed in his role to oversee the merger and will hand over to his interim successor, Mrs Quinn, currently Westfield’s Deputy Head.
Mr Walker said: "For Westfield families, this merger safeguards the continuity of the nurturing environment in which our pupils are thriving, while opening the door to new and exciting opportunities as part of a stronger, unified group.
“Having overseen this important milestone, I feel this is the right moment to step back and retire. I hand over to Mrs Quinn, with complete confidence that her leadership will provide continuity and stability for the school community while governors undertake the recruitment of a permanent Head.
“She is exceptionally well placed to lead the next phase, exploring opportunities to align operations and create shared co-curricular and enrichment experiences that will benefit pupils across the group.”
For more information, visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/about-us/group
