Announcement
New Principal Appointment
We are delighted to announce that Jeduthun Pietersen has been appointed as Head of Harris Westminster from January 2026. He is replacing Claire Scott, who has served as Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Head of School and Principal over the past eleven years (the only person to have taken on more than one of these roles), and who has decided to pursue a new challenge abroad. Ms Scott has been an inspiration to the students she has worked with and has led the school through a series of transformational improvements, playing a central role in shaping Harris Westminster’s success and leaving it significantly stronger than when she joined.
Mr Pietersen’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process which attracted a field of excellent candidates. He joins us from Trinity School in Croydon where, as well as teaching History, he currently leads the sixth form provision. He brings an outstanding academic background, having studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and has the experience and vision needed to lead Harris Westminster in the next phase of our sixth form’s life. Above all, Mr Pietersen demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring young people from across London – whatever their background – should be given every opportunity to progress onto university and into rewarding careers.
Mr Pietersen will take up post in January 2027 and will spend time visiting HWSF in Remembrance 2026 getting to know students and staff. Until then, James Handscombe, Executive Principal, will oversee the day-to-day running of the sixth form.
We are excited to welcome Mr Pietersen to HWSF and look forward to beginning a new and successful chapter.
