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Leading with Purpose: Reflections from a Head
I became Head of Wimbledon High Junior School in January 2025, and as I complete my second term, I find myself reflecting on what has already been a deeply rewarding journey. This is my first headship, and while stepping into the role brought the expected mix of excitement and nerves, I felt a sense of belonging from the very beginning, even from the moment I came to interview. It felt right. I was excited.
Having attended a girls’ school myself, I know first-hand the transformative power of an all-girls’ education. It gave me confidence, self-belief, and a close-knit, supportive peer group, many of whom remain some of my closest friends today. That experience shaped me, and it’s a privilege to now be part of a school that offers the same foundation to the next generation of girls.
In a world far from equal for girls and women, we must not give up on our mission.
One of the highlights of this term was attending the GDST Junior Heads’ Conference in June. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Heads, share ideas and best practice, and hear from Chief Executive, Cheryl Giovannoni about her vision for the GDST. The warmth of the welcome and the supportive buzz in the room reminded me that I’m part of something bigger – a family of schools united by a shared mission and values.
The message was clear: in a world far from equal for girls and women, we must not give up on our mission. The GDST has over 150 years of resilience behind it. Our founders faced challenges far greater than ours, and they persevered. That legacy inspires us to continue pushing forward, knowing that the earlier girls join the GDST, the better their outcomes will be.
I’m proud to be part of a school, and a wider network, that is committed to empowering girls from the very start of their educational journey.
At Wimbledon High Junior School and all our schools, we put girls first. The GDST Insights Report and Framework focuses on three core principles for educating girls – classroom, curriculum and culture. We nurture our students to feel confident in who they are, provide them with choices that reflect their interests and ambitions, and offer a curriculum and culture that both challenges and excites – empowering them to become the leaders and changemakers of the future.
I look ahead to the next academic year with a great sense of anticipation. I’m proud to be part of a school, and a wider network, that is committed to empowering girls from the very start of their educational journey. I am excited to be leading a Junior school where we are shaping girls’ futures, empowering girls’ voices, and building a community where every girl knows she matters. It is important work, and still very much needed to ensure every girl feels a sense of belonging and is ready to thrive in a fast-changing world.
The GDST Junior School effect
A GDST education is designed to reflect the value of unlimited opportunity. The GDST Junior co-curriculum is varied, exciting and unique to our schools. Junior events and experiences include drama at Shakespeare’s Globe, science at the Royal Institution, mathematics at the University of Oxford and music at GDST Sing Juniors. A strong start in school helps a girl achieve incredible things later. A GDST early years education sets up our pupils for life beyond Juniors, in our all-through all-girl schools.
