Dear Parents

I hope that you have all had a wonderful summer, and have enjoyed some of this beautiful weather we have been so fortunate to have experienced over the last few months.

It is with an exceptional amount of pride that I begin the academic year as Principal of Queenswood. Having moved into this spectacular school building in August, my family and I have had some time to take in the magnificent sights and sounds of Queenswood before the girls and staff return. I am delighted that the girls are now back at school, bringing with them so much energy and enthusiasm.

I am sure that you join with me in celebrating the fabulous successes of our examination students this year. At GCSE, 84% of the grades achieved were A*–B. Meanwhile, for the Upper Sixth who have just left us, 73% of grades at A-Level and Pre-U were A*–B, and over a fifth of all grades achieved were A*s, a record for the school.

I am very fortunate to be joining a school with such a proud and long-established reputation, and I am determined to uphold the standards of academic excellence and pastoral care that make this such a special place. I want to ensure that Queenswood continues to be a learning community that is both challenging and safe, where girls will thrive in all aspects of their education, inside and outside the classroom. I believe in providing a happy and progressive environment, where girls are equipped with the courage to succeed, to make confident decisions and, just as importantly, to make mistakes in safety. I believe we have a duty to provide the opportunities and resources for our girls to develop the confidence to exploit fully their natural individual potential, whether it is in the classroom, in the concert hall, on stage, on canvas or on the sports field. I look forward to meeting you all at recitals, productions and on the touch line, supporting the girls and cheering them on.

I am keen to find out all that is great about Queenswood and identify those areas where there may be opportunities for further development. Along with the senior management team, I will of course be keeping up to date with the latest educational and pastoral thinking to ensure that the school continues to progress and innovate.

We have much to look forward to this term, including the Music tour to Liguria, Drama productions of DNA and A Christmas Carol, the Junior Hockey Tour to Barcelona and the Year 11 work experience trip to Jerez, and of course many sports matches, concerts and study visits.

I am honoured to be leading such a vibrant and positive school community, and I am really looking forward to getting to know you, your daughters and the staff over the coming months.