ST Benedict’s School, Ealing, has appointed Joe Smith as its new head from September this year. He replaces Andrew Johnson, who has led the independent school since 2016.

Mr Smith joins from The Oratory School, near Reading, where he has been head since 2017. Over the course of his career, he has taught at Colfe’s School, Greenwich, at Monkton Combe School, near Bath, and was appointed head of the Oratory Prep School in 2010.

He said: "Since my appointment, I've been increasingly struck by the warmth of the school, its students and staff, its very high standards and its sense of purpose and ambition.

“My family are also excited to be moving to West London, and my youngest son is looking forward to joining the school in the sixth form."

His predecessor, Andrew Johnson, is retiring.