This interview with John Paget-Tomlinson, headmaster of Leweston School in Dorset, comes from the Herald's UK Education Special Report. It focuses on some of the leading preparatory and senior Catholic schools in the UK (the full report is available in the September 2025 edition of the magazine).
We have tried to give readers a feel of each school, while also providing information such as location, ethos, school fees and the inside track on the headmaster or headmistress. Criteria include academic performance and pastoral care, and how serious a role the Catholic faith plays in the life of the school.
What did you do before, and how long have you been in the role?
I was deputy headmaster of Portsmouth High School, and I have been at Leweston for five and a half years.
What is your subject and do you still teach?
History and Classics; I continue to teach A-level and Year 7. It's important for the headmaster to maintain links with the classroom and to know every pupil in the school.
What attracted you to the school?
Leweston instantly appealed as a wonderfully engaged and supportive community
What achievement are you proudest of since joining the school?
I am immensely proud of having increased the size of the school by 149 per cent over the past five years. This remarkable growth represents a thriving, vibrant community and a secure future for our pupils, their families and our dedicated staff. Growth on this scale has brought greater stability, enriched opportunities, and a renewed energy across every part of school life.
How do you incorporate the Catholic faith into school life?
Christ is at the centre of all that we do and the faith life of the school is important to all students, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs. We celebrate our faith through regular assemblies, liturgies and moments of quiet reflection, but it's also woven into the way we treat one another.
What are the school's key values, ethos and vision?
At Leweston, everything we do is shaped by our values: community, opportunity and expertise. We're a close-knit, inclusive community where kindness, ambition and integrity really matter. Rooted in our Catholic heritage, we focus on the whole child – supporting academic progress, emotional wellbeing and spiritual growth. Our vision is simple: to help every student become confident, capable and ready to thrive in a fast-changing world. We offer a personalised education that's forward-thinking but grounded in strong pastoral care and a real sense of belonging.
What makes Leweston different and sets it apart from others in the area?
Leweston is special. We're small enough to ensure that every student is known and supported, but big enough to offer a wide range of opportunities. What really sets us apart is our strong sense of community and the way we combine ambition with genuine care. We're future-focused in our teaching, but we never lose sight of the individual.
What enrichment opportunities are there for students?
We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of opportunities, many of which we include free of charge – these range from debating and Model UN to sailing, Ten Tors and outreach in the community. Our pupils take part in trips, weekend activities and creative workshops. They also benefit from a thriving performing arts scene, including drama productions, LAMDA and music tours.
What are the school's strengths, including subject areas and extracurricular provision?
Leweston delivers a personalised curriculum that supports each student's strengths and interests. We're proud of our strong results in core subjects like English, Maths and Science, but we are especially known for our excellence in the creative subjects and sport. The thriving art and design department offers photography, fine art, fashion and textiles, and 3D design to A-level. We are also one of only nine pentathlon training centres in the UK supporting the Pentathlon GB pathway. Thanks to the Leweston Chedington Equestrian Centre, we are also one of the top performing equestrian schools in the country.
What is the admissions procedure, and are there scholarship and bursary schemes?
Leweston welcomes day pupils from five to 18 and boarders from eight to 18. The key entry points are Reception, Year 3, Year 7, Year 9 and sixth form, but pupils can start at any time as long as there is a place in the year group. The process is designed to be warm and supportive, helping families decide if Leweston is the right fit. Pupils are invited to attend an activity or taster day. For senior entry, students sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests, covering English, Maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. References and school reports are also considered.
Photo: graphic with John Paget-Tomlinson (credit: Arcadia)
Leweston School encourages early registration and welcomes visits throughout the year to meet the headmaster and explore the school. Scholarships are available in the senior school for academic excellence, art and design, music, drama, sport, equestrian and pentathlon. For more info, visit leweston.co.uk.
This article appears in the September 2025 edition of the Catholic Herald. To subscribe to our thought-provoking magazine and have independent, high-calibre and counter-cultural Catholic journalism delivered to your door anywhere in the world click HERE.
