The role of private-funded education and its charitable status have been defended by the new headmaster at top private school The Royal Russell.

Chris Hutchinson, 45, has taken charge of the prestigious Coombe Lane school following a four-year-stint as head master at Newcastle School for Boys, and is committed to building the school’s ties with the community.

He said: “I am very keen to open up the estate to the local community. We have some fantastic sports facilities and have hosted representative cricket, with Surrey Ladies under 17’s playing here over the summer. We also host regional football and netball competitions.”

Mr Hutchinson, who is originally from Shropshire, added the swimming pool is used by a number of public-funded school and he hopes the community will be able to make further use of its newly built auditorium.

Private schools are attributed charitable status by the Government, resulting in tax breaks.

Mr Hutchinson, who has moved to live on site at Royal Russell, said: “The charitable aspect is an important point to make, but the school provides £500,000 in scholarships and bursaries offering a Royal Russell education to boys and girls who would typically not be able to access it.”

He added despite fees, which start at £2,865 per term for a child joining reception, the school is not a money making operation.

“We are not profit making, we have no share holders, no dividendes to pay, any money we do make is reinvested into the school. You have to look at it like this, If theese children were not here they would be part of the government maintained system costing tax money. I can assure you we save the country a lot more money than we avoid through being a charity.”

Mr Hutchinson is in no rush to make immediate changes, but plans following the first term to plan with his staff to take the school forward.

He said: “I think it would actually be very arrogant of me to come in to a successful school and say this is what i want to change. This term will be settling in before I meet with eveeryone invovled in The Royal Russell to discuss how to take it forward.”