A Hampstead private school has revealed the identity of its new headteacher – the deputy principal at one of its rivals.

Lewis Hayward, from independent Highgate School’s junior division, will lead the all-boys junior branch at University College School (UCS) in Frognal from September.

UCS’s current headteacher Kevin Douglas retires in July after 13 years at the helm of the £5,285-a-term junior school.

Oxford graduate Mr Hayward joined Highgate School in North Road in 2009.

He said: “I am well aware of the unique ethos and reputation of this fantastic school and I am thoroughly looking forward to working with all the children, staff and parents.

“Kevin Douglas is leaving the junior branch in fantastic shape and a huge debt of gratitude is owed to him.

“It will be a very exciting prospect for me to work with UCS headteacher Mark Beard and all the rest of the staff to help take this great school onto the next stage in its development.”

The married father-of-two, a Latin and classics teacher, began his career in Kenya in 1990, teaching students at Kenton College in Nairobi. He then moved to Saudi Arabia three years later to teach English as a foreign language at the Saudi Aramco oil company.

He returned to England in 1999 to teach Latin at Holmewood House Prep School in Kent. Just two years later, he became head of classics at Highfield Prep School in Berkshire.

Mr Douglas said: “For generations, the junior branch has been a happy and successful school and I have every confidence that this will continue under Lewis Hayward’s stewardship.

“I look forward to working with Lewis in the coming months to acquaint him with UCS.

“It has been a pleasure to lead the UCS junior branch for so many years and I am immensely proud to have been a part of its history.”

UCS headteacher Mr Beard added: “Lewis brings more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience from a variety of UK and international schools.

“His commitment and passion for teaching impressed us all as a natural successor to Kevin Douglas.

“I am extremely grateful to Kevin for his leadership and vision of the junior branch and for the great kindness and dedication which he has demonstrated over the years towards UCS and its pupils.”