Samson Olusanya has served as Headteacher of Southgate School since September 2025. He is a highly committed and experienced educational leader, driven by a clear vision: to create a school where every young person is known, valued and consistently challenged to achieve their very best. 

His educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that academic excellence and character development are two sides of the same coin in the holistic development of his students. He is relentless in his focus to improve outcomes and shape futures for all students.  

At the heart of his leadership is a strong moral purpose—to deliver an ambitious, inclusive and nurturing education built on high expectations, strong relationships and a genuine sense of belonging for every member of the school community. 

Throughout his leadership career, Samson has established a strong reputation for delivering sustained school improvement while maintaining a relentless focus on inclusion and student wellbeing. He has successfully led improvements in teaching and learning across several London schools, resulting in rising attainment at both GCSE and post-16. His work has included embedding high-quality classroom practice, developing robust systems for behaviour and attitudes, and ensuring that high standards are consistently upheld. 

Samson has also prioritised widening opportunities for students beyond the classroom. Under his leadership, schools have expanded enrichment programmes, student leadership opportunities and personal development pathways, ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills, experiences and aspirations to succeed in life. 

He is a strong advocate for partnership working and collaboration. Through Southgate School’s membership of the Middlesex Learning Trust, Samson actively contributes to and benefits from a network of schools working collectively to improve outcomes for young people. He has been closely involved in trust-wide collaboration on curriculum development, leadership development and staff training, helping to share best practice and drive consistency of high standards across schools. 

The Trust provides a powerful platform for innovation and continuous improvement, enabling staff to access wider expertise, engage in joint professional development and collaborate on key priorities such as inclusion, teaching quality and student achievement. Samson values the balance this brings—retaining Southgate’s strong local identity while benefiting from the collective strength, experience and ambition of the wider Trust. 

At Southgate School, his focus is on building on existing strengths while driving a culture of excellence, ambition and opportunity for all. Through high expectations, inclusive values and strong partnerships, he is committed to ensuring that every student flourishes—academically, personally and socially—and is fully prepared for success in further education, employment and beyond.