The governors of Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH) have announced that Rowena Cole has been appointed as the school’s next head mistress.
Mrs Cole has been head at St John’s School, Leatherhead and Dunottar School, Reigate and prior to that was deputy head at Guildford High School and held various teaching positions.
She will take up the position in September 2023 when the current head mistress, Heather Hanbury, retires after leading the school for nine years.
David King, chair of governors at LEH, said: “We are delighted to appoint Rowena Cole as our next head mistress. Rowena’s exceptional experience and leadership stood out in a very strong candidate field, and we were particularly impressed by her warmth, leadership experience, and alignment with LEH’s ethos and values.”
Mrs Cole said “I am delighted to have been appointed as the next head mistress of Lady Eleanor Holles School. The personality of the school, with its energy and ambition coupled with a strong sense of care and community, shone through when I visited earlier in the autumn.
“I am excited to be returning to an academic girls’ school where pupils are encouraged to believe everything is possible and where they are celebrated for being exactly who they are.
“I look forward to joining such a vibrant community of staff, pupils, parents and alumnae and to shaping the next chapter in the school’s history.”