New Deputy Head for Nottingham Girls’ High School

Nottingham Girls’ High School has appointed Katrina Handford-Smith as Deputy Head, the position recently vacated by new Head, Julie Keller. Katrina will assist in all aspects of leading the school forward academically and providing excellent pastoral support, both areas in which she has gained considerable expertise during her roles as Deputy Head of the Sixth Form since 2012, and more recently as Pastoral Assistant Head.

Katrina joined the school from the University of Birmingham at which she graduated in Economics and Social History, going on to complete her PGCE and Master’s Degree in Education. Initially a History teacher in the Humanities Faculty, Katrina was quick to spot not only the academic abilities of the girls but also their potential in other life skills, which led her to set up the successful Young Enterprise Scheme which is still going strong today, providing girls with know-how in the business world.

Looking forward to working with Julie Keller and other members of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, Katrina said: “Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, where the priority is to ensure the happiness and well-being of the girls, is fantastic and I love being part of making girls’ experiences here at NGHS the very best of their lives.”

Katrina is keen to help implement the school’s vision of making NGHS a progressive, dynamic and fun place to be where girls are happy, successful and able to compete and succeed in male dominated professions. Reflecting on her own educational experiences Katrina said: “I am really privileged to have been educated at Saint Martin’s School for Girls in Solihull and have benefitted hugely from a single-sex education where I gained confidence and was encouraged to be the best I can be. Having experienced first-hand the benefits of an all-girls environment, I am delighted to be able to offer our girls a similar experience to help them develop into the leaders of the future.”