ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form welcomes new Head: Matthew Bulmer

ArtsEd is delighted to welcome Matthew Bulmer, who took up the post of Head for the Chiswick independent Day School and Sixth Form in January.

Matthew joins ArtsEd at an exciting time for the school, which recently took ownership of brand-new studios, classrooms, and communal spaces at their West London home. All part of the most recent phase of a major capital project that started in 2013 with the opening of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre.

Matthew’s extensive experience in both the independent education sector, and a background in theatre, makes him a perfect fit for ArtsEd, one of the UK’s most academically successful performing arts schools. He was most recently the Director of Performing Arts and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Brentwood independent day school, having previously been an English and Drama teacher and Head of Department at independent schools in London and on the south coast. Under his leadership, Brentwood was twice shortlisted for the Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts award and experienced a period of rapid growth in Dance, Drama, Film, and Music. 

Matthew spent four years at Cambridge University at both Homerton and Jesus College, which was where his passion for the Performing Arts developed. In these formative years, Matthew worked as an actor, producer, technical manager, but mainly as a director. A highlight was his work with the Footlights, and it was these experiences that opened him up to Musical Theatre. After University, Matthew co-founded a theatre company, which is still going strong, albeit with little involvement from him now, because it has always been his ambition to teach.

His passion for teaching and working with creative young people is what drove his success at Brentwood, and ArtsEd are thrilled that Matthew is bringing this energy and commitment to their London home.

On his start at the school, Matthew said:

“I thought I would love this school and the Headship of it, and these last few weeks have certainly confirmed that prediction. The staff are extremely talented, in the classroom and the studio, and the children are amazing: they want to learn more, to be the best that they can be, and it is a delight to work with such polite, considerate, and passionate young individuals. I have great ambitions for the school and having met the common room and the student body, I have every faith that we will meet these aspirations and more.”

ArtsEd’s Interim Principal, Dr Julie Spencer, said:

“I am delighted about Matt’s appointment as Headteacher. His impressive depth of expertise in the education sector alongside his background in the performing arts means that Matt is exceptionally well qualified to lead the Day School and Sixth Form pupils and their inspirational tutors.”