I have been Headmistress for five years and prior to that I was deputy head academic at St Mary’s Ascot.
Teaching English has always been my great privilege and pleasure; prior to leadership I loved being head of department. I am very glad that I still do some teaching – generally Year 9, and also some A-level. My pupils are probably not really aware that being with them in the classroom, enjoying literature and language, is usually the best part of my week.
I wanted to lead a faith school, and also feel passionately about the benefits of all-girls’ education. I also saw that the size of St Catherine’s promotes relationships, self-confidence and belonging.
Strengthening and supporting an excellent staff body who are committed to the pupils they teach and care for; developing the school’s faith life and chaplaincy programmes which sit perfectly alongside an improved commitment to pastoral care; the school’s stronger academic provision and changes in reporting and tracking to ensure progress for each pupil; and further success and excellence in sport, music, art and drama programmes, as shown by the many national prizes and awards, and special activities like the school production at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Pupils are inspired by the words of St Catherine: “Be who God wants you to be, and you will set the world on fire” – this informs our commitment to forming young women of confidence and compassion, ready to lead and serve as they find their place in the world. We have five central values which help us to live out this vision: Community, Faith, Courage, Scholarship, Service.
At St Catherine’s we take faith seriously, though we treat it lightly. This means that faith is there in form prayers, school Mass, Wednesday worship and feast days, and that it also sits gently and naturally, as part of our everyday school life. Faith life at St Catherine’s is not didactic, it lives in our community and there is a spirit of friendship and inclusivity that ensures girls of all faiths understand that each person is valued and that the school is a home, where they can belong and flourish.
Visitors always comment on the authenticity and friendliness of St Catherine’s girls and the school spirit is a very special one. Excellent and intentional pastoral care and safeguarding help each girl to know she is valued, and to grow in her understanding of others and of the world. What sets us apart from other schools is our success in this nurturing and the way this creates confidence in individual pupils, which in turn leads to academic success, ambition and resilience, as well as personal growth and happiness.
The co-curricular and enrichment programmes are extensive, including a wide range of sporting options, swimming, creative activities, debating, music, dance, Duke of Edinburgh and academic competitions. There is something for everyone and Sixth Form girls take a role in leading clubs and activities.
Within our rich academic and cocurricular programmes, Art, History, Maths and Science are particularly strong, and the girls are also especially successful at drama, athletics, swimming, debating and netball.
All applicants are interviewed by the Headmistress. The procedure for Year 7 includes an interview in the Autumn Term and exams in early December; applications for other year groups are processed throughout the year and enquiries are always welcome. There are no feeder schools and St Catherine’s is pleased to welcome girls from a very large number of state and independent schools. Scholarships or bursaries are available.
