Withington Girls’ School: Tom Bennett Appointed New Head at Withington
Withington Girls’ School has named current Deputy Head Academic, Tom Bennett, as its new Head, succeeding Sarah Haslam, who is retiring after 10 years as Head and 30 years of service to WGS.
Mr Bennett, who has extensive experience in girls’ education, takes up the role in September following a rigorous selection process in which governors, staff and pupils were all involved. He was selected to take Withington forward into its next chapter. Mr Bennett read Geography at Cambridge and attended RGS High Wycombe.
Chair of Governors, Malcolm Pike, said Mr Bennett had demonstrated a deep understanding of the school’s ethos “… and a compelling, forward-thinking vision for Withington that is true to its founding principles of educating girls to the highest standards and preparing them for their futures. We are confident he will lead with ambition and integrity.”
Mrs Haslam’s headship has been marked by sustained national recognition. Withington has featured every year since 2019 in the Sunday Times Schools Guide as the Northwest’s top academic independent school and was named Independent School of the decade in 2020. Mr Bennett has been part of that success over the past four years, strengthening teaching and learning in a role that recently saw the school shortlisted for Teacher Development Initiative of the Year at the TES School Awards UK 2026.
Mrs Haslam is delighted to be handing over the reins to Mr Bennett, who joined the school four years ago. “He has played a central role in shaping our outstanding academic performance and quality of pupil experience during his time at Withington. He knows the school very well and supports our ethos fully,” she said.
With senior leadership experience spanning RGS High Wycombe, Wycombe Abbey – one of the UK’s leading girls’ schools – and Sedbergh, Mr Bennett has a genuine commitment to single-sex education for girls. On his new role, he said it was “a privilege to lead a school I know so well and care deeply about. I look forward to working with our staff, families and alumnae to build on our strong foundations and continue creating an environment where every girl can thrive.”
