Congratulations to Clare Wagner who has been chosen as the new headteacher of the West London Free School from January.

She takes over from Hywel Jones who has left to become primary director at the Inspiration Trust.

Clare was previously headmistress of Watford Grammar School for Girls.

The Times Educational Supplement says:

“The history graduate entered teaching in her early thirties after having children, and trained at what was then the Slough Grammar School.

“She taught in the independent sector, at Southampton High School and North London Collegiate School, a top performing girls’ school where she was inspired by the headmistress at the time, Bernice McCabe.”

Asked what attracted her to the West London Free School, Clare told the newspaper:

“I think it’s the ambitious curriculum, and being ambitious for the children, and wanting to give them all the advantages of a really good education, and that’s an all-round education.

“I think it’s great they all learn Latin, I think that’s very important, but all the subjects are very strong there. Also, the competitive sports are brilliant – it’s so good for kids to be out there playing and playing hard.”