Worth School near Crawley, West Sussex will welcome Ben Pennington as its new Head this September
Worth School will welcome Ben Pennington as Head from September 2026. He is current Head of Senior School at St Andrews, Turi in Kenya and with experience encompassing leadership roles at King’s Ely, Ampleforth and Sherborne Prep.
Ben Pennington says he looks forward to nurturing a community where young people are inspired to flourish. In his current role, he has led St Andrew’s Senior School through a period of strategic renewal and operational improvement, contributing to excellent ISI outcomes and strong enrolment.
Previously, as Senior Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead at King’s Ely, Ben Pennington oversaw safeguarding and chaired the Child Protection and Safeguarding Committee. Earlier leadership and teaching roles included Ampleforth College, where he was Housemaster and Assistant Head (Academic Middle School).
Before entering education, he served as an officer in the British Army and played professional rugby in both the UK and Australia – experiences that reflect his belief in teamwork, resilience and the development of the whole person. He holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham, a PGCE in History from Oxford, and a BSc in Economics and Politics from Bristol.
Chair of Governors Jerry Fletcher says: “I was struck by Ben’s clarity of purpose, his faith and his deep understanding of education as the formation of the whole person. His leadership experience, both in the UK and internationally, will serve Worth well as we continue to strengthen our academic excellence, pastoral care and Benedictine ethos – the heart and soul of Worth”.
Ben Pennington says: “I am honoured to be joining Worth and to serve a community with such a rich Benedictine tradition. My family and I are excited to begin this journey together, to learn from the remarkable legacy of those before me and to play our part in shaping the next chapter in Worth’s story”.
Worth School worthschool.org.uk
Further reading: New Head for The King Alfred School
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