Head & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

The school is led by a team consisting of the Head, Assistant Heads (Academic & Pastoral) and Senior Leaders.

I have been a leader in educational settings since 2001 and have taught in a wide range of schools, both in the UK and overseas. I started my educational career teaching English and Media Studies in two 11-18 state secondary schools in London before moving to Kenya with my husband and young family. I then taught in a British curriculum school in Nairobi for eight years, during which time I became Deputy Head, Academic. Teaching in Africa taught me an enormous amount about myself and about the world around me. I had some amazing experiences with the children I taught in Kenya: we climbed Mount Kenya together, white-water rafted down some hair-raising canyons and, with my Year 8 pupils over 5 years, we developed and supported a school in the Kibera district of Nairobi, in which life for young people was extraordinarily tough.

On returning to the U.K, I worked for eight years as Deputy Head, Academic, at an independent day and boarding school in Dorset before taking up Headship in an independent day school for girls in 2016. In Yarrells, where I have been Head since 2018, I have found my perfect school: it is the happiest environment I have ever had the pleasure of leading and for me, relationships underpin everything. I work passionately to ensure every child is surrounded by warmth, nourishment and fun. In this way, they are in the best possible position to love learning, because learning takes place everywhere, whether it’s hanging upside down on the monkey bars, eating beetroot and broccoli for the first time or preparing for the rigour of external examinations. And, the learning is so good here! Our teachers are the most dynamic and enthusiastic bunch who adore working with young people – it’s my dream job!

When I’m not working, my favourite places to be are with my family or by the sea. I have two lovely sons who are now grown up and living independent lives, and I love swimming so try to swim all year round, even when it’s icy or pouring with rain!