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A message from
David Goodhew

Home > About us > Message from the Head

Visitors to Latymer Upper School frequently refer to the ‘palpable buzz’ and energy that is felt on first entering our busy and vibrant school.

I felt it too, when I became Head here in 2012, and this vitality is one of the many characteristics of Latymer that makes studying and working here so stimulating. Our location in the heart of West London is, of course, another factor and I’m really proud that the School has so many features in common with our wonderful city. It values and respects diversity; it’s modern and forward-thinking; it promotes a global outlook and has a dynamic community of talented people who combine the highest academic achievement with excellence in the arts and sport.

 

Message from the Head

In the years since becoming Head I’ve learned that there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Latymerian. Try to pigeon-hole our eclectic student body and you pretty quickly come unstuck. Ours is not a one size fits all school. To be a Latymerian is to be part of a diverse community and I’m always keen to make the point to prospective parents that, outside of academic ability and an enquiring mind, there is no archetypal Latymer pupil, and that all teachers nurture and celebrate their students’ individuality.

I’m hugely proud of our Latymerians; they’re academic, rounded and grounded –  and they care about each other as well as those who may need help in the local and global community. 

 

 

As a result, in 2018 the School received three national awards from the TES: one for independent-state school partnerships (we partner with over 50 local schools, to the benefit of 1,000 children each year), one for ‘senior school of the year’ and one for ‘independent school of the year’.

Latymer offers a diverse and dynamic environment in which pupils from all walks of life learn together and are exposed to different perspectives – a valuable lesson in itself.  This is in part due to our ambitious bursary programme. Through our campaign, Inspiring Minds, we aim to raise enough funds to be able to offer one in four of our pupils a means-tested bursary, making Latymer one of the most inclusive independent schools in the country.

I hope our website will give you a flavour of how we go about making that vision a reality and look forward to seeing you at one of our open days.

David Goodhew     

David Goodhew, MA (Oxon), FRSA

David Goodhew has been Head of Latymer Upper School since 2012 and is a member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference.

Born in West London, David attended a local comprehensive school and was the first member of his family to do A Levels or go to university. He graduated from Oxford with a First in Classics.  David taught Classics at Bancroft’s School and Eton College, moving to become Head of Classics at Bristol Grammar School. He gained experience of senior management at Arnold School (Director of Studies) and Durham School (Senior Deputy Head).

David is committed to advancing social mobility through his school’s bursary programme, in conjunction with its partnership and outreach work. In 2017 he launched the Inspiring Minds campaign, with the aim of raising £40m to offer one in four pupils a means-tested bursary by 2024 – the Latymer Foundation’s 400th anniversary.

In 2018, Latymer won three TES Awards, including ‘Independent School of the Year’; David was also a finalist in the ‘social mobility champion’ category of the UK Social Mobility Awards in the same year.

David is a keen amateur violinist whose hobbies also include cycling and classical music. He lives with his family, a short stroll away from the School.

I want Latymer to be a school for young people from right across the community, where the only criteria for admission are ability and potential. – David Goodhew, Headmaster

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