Maida Vale School, an independent co-educational secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 18, has appointed Magnus Bashaarat as headteacher effective 24 April, replacing Steven Winter.

Bashaarat read English at Edinburgh University and worked as a journalist before completing his teacher training at King’s College, London. He began his career at Sherborne School in Dorset and then moved to Eton College where he spent 15 years, seven of them as a house master. He then moved to become deputy head at Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, and on to Milton Abbey School, Dorset as head in 2013, and from there to Bedales School, Hampshire, as head in 2018. He is also a governor at The University of Winchester.

Bashaarat said: “The time I have already spent at the school has been consistently exciting and illuminating. The parents, staff and pupils I have met all have such a strong sense of pride in their school and obviously feel part of a thriving school community; the prospect of joining that community was a significant part of my motivation to accept the role when it was offered to me.

The new head is married to Camilla and has three children and enjoys cycling and rowing.