Head’s Welcome

The path of life begins at school...

Thank you for taking the time to explore our website. Here we invite you to discover what makes Worth such a distinctive and inspiring place for young people to learn, grow and flourish. Our aim is to give you a glimpse into the character, energy and opportunities that define a Worth education.

I have the enormous privilege of serving Worth as Head. My teaching career has taken me from the East End of London, GPS Sydney schools, Sherborne School in the Southwest of England, Benedictine education at Ampleforth College, choral excellence at King’s Ely School, and St Andrew’s School, Turi, in Kenya, experiences that have shaped my understanding of what education can and should be. Across very different contexts, I have seen how communities thrive when young people are challenged to work hard, encouraged to be kind and inspired to use their gifts in service of others.

Those values are personal to me too. I come from a background where you appreciate every opportunity, speak plainly, remain grounded and always look for ways to give back. These down-to-earth principles align well with the Benedictine ethos at Worth: gratitude, humility, community and a purposeful, meaningful life.

Worth understands something essential: a school is not simply a place of study; it is a place where character is formed. Here, pupils become young adults who are grounded, generous and confident in who they are, with a real desire to make a positive difference.

Worth also recognises that education must be about hard work, academic ambition and the joy of discovery – delivered within a culture where every pupil is supported and encouraged by motivated, friendly and deeply engaged teachers. Academic excellence, whatever it looks like for each individual student, is one of our highest priorities and you can be confident that our holistic education enhances, rather than compromises, academic rigour.

As a thriving school, Worth offers impressive breadth and opportunity, while remaining a place where every young person is truly known.

The true spirit of Worth, its ‘education with heart and soul’, can only be fully appreciated in person. It shines through in our service programmes, our art, music and sport, the creativity of our classrooms, our Benedictine heritage, the spiritual life of the school and the warmth of our daily interactions.

I encourage you to explore below the surface of Worth by attending one of our Open Days or booking a visit through our Admissions Department.

I look forward to welcoming you to this unique environment.

Ben Pennington
Head

Are you interested in an education at Worth? Click here for more details.