A NEW headteacher has been appointed at Bedales School at Steep.

Keith Budge – the longest serving Bedales headteacher with the exception of its founder John Badley – is to step down after 17 years at the helm next summer.

And Magnus Bashaarat will take over at the start of the autumn term, in September 2018.

Mr Bashaarat, who read English at the University of Edinburgh, was previously deputy head at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, and a housemaster at Eton, before becoming headteacher at Milton Abbey in Dorset in 2014.

He said: “I?am looking forward to joining Bedales and developing the school’s impressive contribution to education. It will be a privilege to build on Keith’s rich legacy and to lead John Badley’s inspiring vision for educating young people.”

Bedales’ chairman of governors Matthew Rice added:?“I?believe Magnus will continue the liberal, progressive and innovative tradition of Bedales whilst maintaining the rigorous standards we expect of our students.

“Magnus is interesting and energetic and, together with his wife Camilla, will be a wonderful addition to the Bedales community.”

Mr Budge has seen the introduction and development of the school’s own GCSE alternative qualifications, the Bedales Assessed Courses, which offer more choice and challenge for students, and enable them to pursue their academic passions.

Bedales was founded in 1893 by Badley to offer a distinctively holistic education of the “head, hand and heart”.

He was headteacher from 1893 to 1935.

Mr Bashaarat will continue at Milton Abbey for another year.