New Millenium
Revd Timothy Hastie-Smith, Headmaster, 1998-2008
The Revd Timothy Hastie-Smith became Headmaster in 1998. Under his management, a Sixth Form Centre was opened, a new boy' boarding house built, Brook Court, which was opened by HRH the Earl of Wessex, a new girls' boarding house and pre-prep department were constructed, and a fundraising campaign raised funds to build a £3m new sports hall. The School also appointed its first ever woman president, Baroness Cox.
In its first ever HMC Inspection which took place in 1999, the School was highly praised as "a shining example of co-education at its best." Other comments included: "Relationships throughout the whole school community are positive and friendly. Pupils love their school." and "Dean Close deserves its national reputation for the high quality of its sport for both boys and girls."
During the Hastie-Smith years academic standards rose to new heights and the School looked outwards, establishing links with schools in Uganda and India, and benefited from an exceptional range of external speakers and visitors. In 2008, Rev'd Hastie-Smith left the School and Jonathan Lancashire was appointed as the ninth Headmaster of Dean Close School.