Roedean School, Sussex, has given its former headteacher a heartfelt send-off with a variety celebratory events. Serving as Roedean’s head for a decade, Oliver Blond helped guide the School to new heights. Today, Roedean and its students are thriving, and the School has a strong reputation for providing a modern, holistic education.
The new headteacher, Niamh Green, looks forward to building on Blond’s “excellent work and strong foundations.” She has joined Roedean’s senior team, where she works alongside an experienced senior team.
Roedean School Says Farewell to Oliver Blond
Towards the end of the 2023 lent term, Roedean School held various events to wish Oliver Blond a fond farewell, including:
- A performing arts gala.
- A week-long series of fun, student-set challenges.
- A dinner with former head girls, students, and staff.
- A Liverpool-themed tea with the School’s support staff.
- An event for all staff at Brighton Pavilion.
In addition, each Key Stage year group made speeches. Two Year 13 students who left Roedean last year also created a special Winnie the Pooh-inspired poster for the headteacher, who often quoted the characters in his school dealings.
Roedean School’s New Headteacher: Niamh Green
Roedean School has welcomed Niamh Green as its new headteacher. Having worked in all-girls boarding and day schools for more than 20 years, she is a strong advocate of a girls-only education. At Roedean, girls experience a safe, nurturing space where they can become strong, independent, and resilient.
Niamh Green studied French and History at University College Dublin. She completed her postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) at the University of Cambridge in French with German. She also has master’s degrees in International Relations (the University of Sussex) and Educational Leadership (University College London).
Roedean’s Senior Team
Apart from Niamh Green, Roedean’s senior team includes:
- Head of School Talia Keller. (Talia Keller is also Roedean’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.)
- Deputy Head (Pastoral) Rebecca Allen.
- Deputy Head (Academic) Dr. John Hobbs.
- Deputy Head (Co-curriculum and Partnerships) Dr. Ross Barrand.
Headmaster Oliver Blond’s Contributions to Roedean
During his 10 years at Roedean, Oliver Blond has overseen:
- A surge in student enrolment. The School currently caters to around 700 girls (almost double the number attending in 2013). This success is unusual in the current educational market. Unlike Roedean, many independent boarding schools (especially all-girls schools) are struggling. In an interview published in The Spectator, Oliver Blond referred to girls’ schools as “incredibly empowering places” that “tend to have few rules because they’re peopled by self-motivated, dynamic children.”
- Notable improvements in exam grades. In 2022, the School announced some of its best-ever GCSE and A Level results. Over 130 Roedean students took around 1,260 GCSEs, and 85.3% of these were grades 7 to 9. 40 girls achieved 7 or more grade 9 GCSEs, and 10 girls achieved 10 or more grade 9 GCSEs.
- Considerable investment into the School’s facilities. The School has refurbished its theatre and boarding houses. In the Spectator interview, Oliver Blond emphasised that “investing in [the boarding houses]was important… People want to know that if they send their child boarding they will be looked after in every way, not just educationally.” Since the refurbishment, Tatler has called Roedean’s boarding houses “the swankiest in the world.” Roedean has plans to continue improving its facilities, focusing on creative arts, sports, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths).
“Tireless Work In Transforming Roedean”
Roedean’s latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report found the School to be “excellent.” The ISI report praised students’ academic and personal achievements despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oliver Blond has also championed new, student-led ideas at the independent all-girls school. A keen advocate for mental health, he supported a digital detox retreat for Year 12 and 13 students in 2019. As a result of this initiative, girls in Years 7 to 10 don’t carry phones with them during the school day.
Chair of Roedean School Council Vivien Smiley has expressed the School Council’s thanks to Oliver Blond for his “tireless work in transforming Roedean.” Thanks to his efforts, Niamh Green will take over “a school which is doing phenomenally well.”
Learn more about Oliver Blond’s work at Roedean School.
About Roedean School
A dynamic, independent day and boarding school, Roedean educates girls aged 11 to 18. The School offers a holistic education that balances academic excellence with personal growth. Roedeanians develop independence, confidence, and compassion, preparing them for successful futures.
Located in East Sussex, Roedean’s 45-acre campus offers sea views and easy access to Brighton. The School has diverse facilities, including a golf course, farm, and 355-seat theatre. These facilities provide students with ample opportunities to get stuck into life at the School. Roedeanians explore engaging co-curricular activities across sports, music, and more.
Roedean has close ties with the local community. Many students take part in the School’s charitable schemes, partnerships, and outreach programmes.
