Headmaster’s Welcome

With a long-standing reputation and history for achieving excellent results, The Mall School offers something unique to its pupils. The school is relatively small, offering a supportive and nourishing environment in which children have their own voice, where teachers know each child and family well. Yet, we pack a punch. In lessons, on the sports field, in the arts and in areas like personal development, our pupils thrive and achieve excellence. Couple this with outstanding facilities from our pool, theatre and sports hall, purpose-built classrooms and excellent outdoor spaces, pupils experience the very best of both worlds – smallness and greatness.

The school is founded on the principles of hard work and reward through achievement, recognising milestone moments and points for reflection. Well-roundedness is at the core of the school, and whilst no pupil can be the best at everything, they recognise each other’s abilities and celebrate their differences with confidence.

“Pupils are motivated by the well-planned curriculum that focuses on academic subjects, such as English, mathematics, science and humanities, as well as emphasising creativity and problem-solving. The breadth of opportunity leads pupils to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding across a range of areas.” ISI Report, 2025

The world around our children at best is exciting, ever-changing and vibrant. However, it is equally demanding of their needs now and in the future and The Mall seeks to actively challenge our pupils in the areas that matter to them and to the school community. Developing character and personal values which align to the school and its families is crucial. This allows children to have personal, local and global views and share them with pride. In turn, they will develop skills to tackle the binary views we regularly see in society with a more nuanced and empathetic approach. Pupils have excellent communication skills, agency and work ethic, whilst knowing how to enjoy their learning and living the ‘life of education’.

“Pupils discuss and start to examine their aspirations for the future and to think about the personal qualities required to achieve their goals.” ISI Report, 2025

The Mall opened its Nursery in 2023 and it is already at capacity.   The move to co-ed is well underway, which is testament to the school’s agility and boldness to make great strides. I am excited to be the Headmaster in the school’s next phase of its journey.

Above all, I believe in curating authentic and purposeful relationships with the community: parents, staff and pupils alike; to intentionally work together to provide the very best in a modern and agile independent education for all.

I am a family man, my wife Niva is a speech therapist, and my two youngest boys attend the nursery and the prep school.

I believe in building relationships throughout and beyond your admissions process. If you would like to join me for a personal tour or have tea after you have attended one of our open mornings, I would be happy to meet you.

Sam Gosden, Headmaster