Heathfield School, Ascot – an independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, rated ‘Excellent’ across all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – is delighted to announce its merger with the Mill Hill Education Group (MHEG) – one of the largest charitable groups of schools in the country – which will formally be completed on 1 September 2025.
Commenting on the merger, Sarah Rollings, Headteacher, said, ‘Becoming part of the Mill Hill Education Group marks an exciting new chapter in the evolution of our exceptional school. While Heathfield’s distinctive ethos and rich traditions remain firmly in place, this partnership opens up enhanced opportunities for our students, families, and staff through the broader MHEG network. Our founder, Eleanor Wyatt, was a visionary educationalist, and I am honoured to be part of this bold and forward-thinking step, benefiting both our school and the wider Heathfield community. Heathfield has a bright and exciting future ahead!’
Originally founded in 1807, MHEG has a family of ten schools in the UK, and a total of 3,200 students, with its first overseas school due to open in Thailand in September 2025. Antony Spencer, CEO, MHEG, said, ‘Heathfield is clearly a school with a big heart. Large enough to offer an impressive breadth of opportunities, but small enough to foster a deep sense of belonging. The values that underpin the education provided at Heathfield are highly compatible with our other Group schools: instilling values, inspiring minds -‘et virtutem, et musas’ – and I look forward to working with the staff at Heathfield as we continue to see the school thrive.’
With the current challenges facing the independent school sector, Heathfield will be better positioned as part of a broader network of charitable schools, to meet the evolving needs of its students both now and in the future. Becoming part of the Group will provide opportunities to share expertise in all aspects of school life and help Heathfield to be as cost efficient as possible, keeping school fees competitive. It will continue to honour and offer bursaries and scholarships to widen access.
This week the school also announced the exciting news that Jonathan Williams has been appointed Head Designate, following a rigorous selection process conducted jointly by Heathfield’s Governors and the MHEG CEO. Throughout the process, Mr Williams shared his outstanding vision and passion for the school, emerging as a worthy successor to build on the foundations laid by the current Head, Sarah Rollings, and her predecessors. The opportunity for a full handover between Sarah and Jonathan is extremely valuable and will enable a seamless transition for the start of the Autumn Term 2025.
Commenting on his upcoming appointment as Head Designate in September, Jonathan Williams, Deputy Headteacher (Academic) said, ‘Heathfield’s ethos, excellence and aspirations were key factors in me joining the school. I feel both proud and privileged to have been appointed as Heathfield’s next Head, and excited at the prospect of building on a stronger foundation than ever. This is truly a special community and a school with the highest of standards; leading Heathfield into its next chapter as a MHEG school, means that we can raise the bar even higher, providing excellence in education and so much more for our girls in the years to come.’
Categories: Heathfield School School News
