Sherborne Girls announces new Headmistress

After a very rigorous selection process, the Chair of Governors, Mr Richard Strang, with the unanimous support of Council, is delighted to announce that Dr Ruth Sullivan has been appointed as Headmistress of Sherborne Girls from 1st September 2018, when Jenny Dwyer steps down after the end of the Summer Term.

Dr Sullivan was the stand-out candidate who impressed all those who met her, including the senior leadership team, and she will bring real commitment and a wealth of academic, pastoral and co-curricular experience to Sherborne Girls. The aim throughout the process was to ensure Council selected a new Headmistress who would not only pick up and carry on Jenny Dwyer’s outstanding work, but also bring a fresh perspective and energy.

Dr Sullivan was educated at City of London School for Girls and Sherborne Girls. She graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in Geography and completed her PGCE at Moray House Institute of Education (Edinburgh). Dr Sullivan also holds a Masters in Population and Health and PhD in Non-communicable Epidemiology, which she gained at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In 1996 she turned to a career in education and her first appointment was at St John’s School, Leatherhead where in addition to teaching Geography, she was Head of Outdoor Pursuits and a Housemistress. In 2001 Dr Sullivan moved to Glenalmond College to be Head of Geography and then in 2005 to Queen’s School, Chester to be Head of Sixth Form. In 2011 she was appointed Acting Head of Geography at Haileybury College and was promoted to Deputy Master in September 2012, with responsibility for overseeing the day to day running of the school; she has held this job ever since.

Dr Sullivan has travelled extensively throughout Europe, North and South America, North Africa and India. She swims regularly, has run several half marathons over the last year and competes in half ironman and ironman events.

Richard Strang commented, “We are convinced that Dr Sullivan will be an inspirational Headmistress and a fantastic role model for the girls. She is thrilled to have been appointed and I know she is looking forward to sharing her passion and enthusiasm for education with the students, staff and parents.”