Image from Eltham College’s Facebook page

Eltham College and Blackheath Prep in southeast London are to merge from September.

Eltham College is an independent co-educational day school teaching more than 1,000 boys and girls aged between eight and 18. Blackheath Prep is a co-educational independent nursery and prep school with 390 pupils aged three to11 years.

The new Eltham College family of schools will be led by Guy Sanderson, who will also continue in his role of headmaster of Eltham College. He will be supported by Alex Matthews who will continue as head of Blackheath Prep and Vikki Meier, who will remain as head of Eltham College Junior School. James Martin will become senior deputy of Eltham College.

With both schools in good financial health, planned capital investment projects including the refurbishment and expansion of Eltham College’s science and technology building; new library and Year 5 and 6 classrooms for Eltham Junior School; and the rebuilding of the Jubilee block and sports pavilion at Blackheath Prep, will go ahead, subject to planning consents.

Matthews said: “Pupils are at the heart of our decision to merge and they will continue to enjoy exceptional teaching, outstanding pastoral care and fantastic facilities. Now, we have an opportunity to enhance these further within a larger family of schools, and we have already begun to look for opportunities to share our facilities and expertise for their benefit.”

Sanderson added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for two already success schools to build on a shared educational vision, ethos and values to the benefit of both communities. From our existing positions of strength, our larger family will be in an excellent position to prepare for the future and to ensure our schools continue to thrive.”