Rugby School announces today that Head Master Patrick Derham will leave Rugby next summer to become Head Master of Westminster School.  

Mr. Derham – who joined Rugby School in 2001 – will step down at the end of July 2014 having completed the longest term as Head Master in Rugby’s recent history. He will formally take up his new position at Westminster in September, 2014. Mr. Derham will retain a non-executive position on the board of the Arnold Foundation after he has joined Westminster.  

The Board of Governors will be now be taking all due care necessary to identify the right person to succeed Mr Derham as Head and build on Rugby’s considerable strengths.   

During Mr Derham's tenure, Rugby has continued its tradition of innovation in the academic field and very substantially expanded its outreach efforts:         

• The School has also helped pioneer educational innovation through the Extended Project and the CIE Pre-Uqualification.   
• The Arnold Foundation, founded in 2003, has raised over £15 million and allowed over 80 children to benefit from fully-funded bursaries. It also provided the impetus for the SpringBoard Bursary Foundation, a national charity improving the lives of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds through boarding bursaries.         
• In 2009 Rugby School signed a memorandum of understanding with Future Hope which was set up in 1988 to provide a home, education, medical aid and opportunity to some of the children of Kolkata who found themselves living on the streets of the city.      
• In 2012 Rugby School set up a partnership with the Coventry Diocesan Board of Education with mentor/mentee partnerships between Rugby and local primary schools.   

Robert Swannell, Chairman of the Governors, said: "We fully understand Patrick's decision to take on a new challenge at another outstanding, but very different, School at this stage in his career. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have been Chairman during his time as Head Master and when the time comes, we will wish him every success in his new venture. Without being remotely complacent, Rugby is in a strong position, with its clear educational mission, dedicated and talented staff, clear values and healthy finances."

Patrick Derham said: “I am honoured to have served as Head Master, Rugby is the most wonderful place and leaving it will be very hard for me. It has been the happiest 12 years of my life and making the decision to move to Westminster was far from easy. Working with such exceptional pupils and staff – as well as the wider Rugby community – has been not just a privilege but an extraordinary educational journey. My family and I are deeply grateful for all the support we have received during our time at the School.”    

Rugby School Head Master, Patrick Derham