Foundation News
6 December
King’s Worcester Appoints New Head of Foundation from September 2025
The Governors of The King’s School Worcester are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ben Charles, the current Principal of King’s Rochester, as the new Head of Foundation. He will join King’s Worcester on 1st September 2025.
King’s Rochester is a co-educational cathedral school for pupils aged 3-18 which, like King’s Worcester, was re-founded by Henry VIII in 1541. Ben Charles has been Principal and Head of the Senior School there since 2019. Prior to that, he was Second Master (Senior Deputy Head) at Portsmouth Grammar School, with oversight of day-to-day operational matters, pastoral care and safeguarding.
After completing his degree in Music at the University of Exeter and his PGCE at the University of Durham, Ben began his teaching career as Assistant Director of Music at another 1541 King’s School, this time in Peterborough. He coached the 1st XV rugby team, having played for County Durham U16s and U18s, and was a Day Housemaster and Lay Clerk in the Cathedral. He went on to become Director of Music at two other HMC schools – Chigwell School in Essex and later Millfield School in Somerset.
As well as being Principal at King’s Rochester, Ben is a committee member of the Choir Schools’ Association and a prep school governor. He is an experienced choral conductor and singer, and is also a huge sports fan, particularly offering support to teams from his native city of Leicester. Ben and his wife Helen, and their young children, are looking forward to moving to Worcester and joining the King’s community next year.
Pat Preston, Chair of Governors, commented “The Governors are delighted to welcome Ben to The King’s Worcester Foundation. Having led King’s Rochester for five years, Ben brings the experience needed to lead our schools through what will be a challenging period for the sector. Throughout the interview process Ben showed a thorough understanding of the tradition, ethos and values of King’s Worcester and, in common with the Governors, he is excited for our future. We know that the three schools within the Foundation (King’s Senior and Sixth Form, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford) provide an excellent education for all of our pupils and an outstanding preparation for life – which is exactly what parents are looking for.”
When informed of his appointment, Ben said “I am delighted and extremely honoured to have been appointed as Head of Foundation at The King’s School, Worcester. The Foundation schools are well known for their emphasis on academic excellence, the provision of co-curricular opportunities across the full age range, and the commitment to strong and supportive pastoral care, all underpinned by a Christian ethos in two remarkable settings. I am excited to lead the Foundation through the next phase of its development, notwithstanding the challenges that the independent sector faces. My family and I very much look forward to joining the warm and vibrant King’s community next year and to getting to know the pupils, parents, staff and alumni.”
The Governors are very grateful that Dr Alison Oliver will remain Acting Head until Ben arrives in September 2025. Supported by the hard work and dedication of the Foundation Leadership Team, and all teaching and support staff, Alison will continue to ably lead the Foundation with outstanding professionalism during this interim period.