We are delighted to share with you an exciting development; Westfield School (Westfield) is to join the Royal Grammar School Newcastle (RGS), in the newly formed RGS Newcastle Group of Schools (RGS Newcastle Group). 

RGS Newcastle & Westfield (Square)

The respective governing bodies have signed an agreement formalising discussions that have been ongoing for some time. Last night, governors exchanged contracts, with an expectation that the merger will complete in the Summer term of 2026.  

While there is still some work to be done around regulatory approval, we wanted to take this opportunity to inform the RGS and Westfield communities of the underlying rationale for the merger, and the benefits we believe this will bring to our whole community. 

Both schools share a long-standing commitment to excellent teaching, pastoral care, and the holistic development of every pupil. While the respective schools have different demographics, a commonality is our dedication to pupil progress, with both schools achieving enviable outcomes relative to individuals’ ability.    

These shared values and the complementary offerings of the two schools have led us to this natural and confident step forward for two communities that already think deeply alike. We believe that combining our expertise, facilities, and resources to form a group of schools, as is occurring across the independent schools’ sector, will provide an even richer educational experience for all students at RGS and at Westfield.  

In the short term, the day-to-day operations of both schools will continue as normal, enhanced by the benefit of shared back-office functions and economies of scale. 

In the medium term, a key focus for the Westfield site will be the development of a Nursery and Pre-Prep, for which we see a potentially significant demand.  

In the longer term, while each school will continue to function independently with their own admissions criteria, the merger offers an opportunity to collaborate on curriculum breadth, expand co-curricular options, invest further in facilities, and ensure continued financial sustainability of a strong, consolidated group of schools which meet the needs of a broad variety of children. 

Separately, and unrelated to the merger, Neil Walker has confirmed that he will retire from his role as Head of Westfield at the end of the current academic year. This has been a deeply considered decision for Neil, as Westfield has been a huge part of his professional life.  

However, as he approaches retirement age, Neil feels this is the right moment to step back. He is incredibly excited about the opportunities that the merger brings and is immensely proud to have played a key role in securing Westfield’s future as part of a strong and sustainable group of schools.  

Before his departure, Neil will continue to play an important role in the operational implementation of the merger plans and will oversee a careful handover to his interim successor, Kate Quinn, currently Westfield’s Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Kate’s appointment will provide continuity and stability of leadership for the school community while the Governors undertake a thorough recruitment process for a permanent Head.  Kate will report to Geoffrey Stanford, who will become Executive Head of the RGS Newcastle Group.

Please find below a set of questions and answers to help explain our vision and approach. Whilst the detail is being worked through, our priority throughout this merger process is to ensure transparency. Further updates will be provided as planning progresses and as always, if you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

In closing, we are proud of all that both schools have achieved to date and excited about the opportunities this merger creates for our respective school communities. Together, we can look ahead with real optimism as we shape the next chapter of excellence across the RGS Newcastle Group. 

Mr Alan Fletcher, Chair of Governors at RGS

Mrs Jackie Rowley, Chair of Governors at Westfield

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FAQs

Comment from Mr Geoffrey Stanford, Head of RGS Newcastle

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For RGS families, this merger represents continuity and stability, strengthening of our position through the benefits of operating at scale, while providing the potential for exciting new opportunities for our students.  

Most notably, it allows us to introduce  Nursery and Pre-Prep provision within the RGS Newcastle Group, something we have long aspired to offer and is in demand.

Importantly, this merger strengthens our ability to invest in facilities and curriculum innovation, ensuring that the RGS Newcastle Group will remain at the forefront of educational excellence.  

It also opens doors for collaboration in teaching and learning, and for shared co-curricular experiences that will enrich the lives of all our students. 

I am thrilled at the prospect of working with Westfield, which stands out for its warm and nurturing culture, where students are truly flourishing.  

This speaks volumes about the dedication of its staff and supportive environment which enables every child to thrive. 

I firmly believe that bringing together the complementary strengths of RGS and Westfield will secure the long-term resilience of both schools, ensuring generations of young people continue to benefit from the very best education in the North East.

This is a positive, forward-thinking step, and I am proud to endorse it wholeheartedly. 

Comment from Mr Neil Walker, Head of Westfield School

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I am delighted about this merger and looking forward to the benefits it will bring to our families and staff. 

For Westfield families, this merger ensures continuity in the nurturing environment where our students are thriving, while unlocking new opportunities.  

It will enable investment in our facilities and allow us to develop our Nursery and Pre-Prep provision, which we know is in high demand locally.

Being part of a larger group will also give us access to shared resources, specialist expertise, and economies of scale that strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional education.

It will create new professional development opportunities for our staff and help us attract and retain the very best teachers. 

This merger will allow us to build on the significant strengths of Westfield.  Working in partnership with such a respected institution will allow us to realise the full potential of our combined strengths for the benefit of all students. 

I fully support this merger and look forward to working together to create something truly special for our students and families.