The first-ever woman to become a Head at one of the country’s elite group of independent boys’ schools today [Friday 4th September 2009] began her first term at the helm.

Katherine Haynes, Head of The John Lyon School in Harrow, is the first woman to lead a British boys-only school belonging to the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) – the organisation for UK’s leading schools, including both Harrow School and Eton College.

“I am delighted to be starting the new school year at John Lyon,” said Miss Haynes. “To be honest, I think gender is less of an issue nowadays than it was even a few years ago. I’m proud to have been appointed the Head of such an excellent school and I hope that my appointment will be recognised on its own terms – as an acknowledgement that a school’s Governors select the best person to take that school forward.

“I’m certainly starting from a position of strength: at a time when many independent schools are struggling because of the recession, we are full, with around 600 boys at the start of term. Last year saw the opening of our new Science Building and the school appeared in the top 20 boys’ schools in the Financial Times’ influential top 1,000 UK schools listing. A very good set of A level and GCSE results this summer has further cemented the school’s reputation for academic strength.”

Miss Haynes’ appointment has been welcomed by Bernard Trafford, Vice-Chairman of HMC. Dr Trafford, who is Headmaster of the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, said the appointment of a woman to head an HMC boys’ school was ‘very significant’. Women have been admitted to HMC since 1996, when the organisation changed its name from the Headmasters’ Conference to Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference. “The women who have joined HMC have added immensely to the strength and vibrancy of the organisation,” said Dr Trafford, who added that he knows Miss Haynes personally and has the utmost respect for her abilities.

Miss Haynes came to JLS from Warwick School, which is Britain’s oldest boys’ school, and has also taught at a girls’ school. Miss Haynes holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship and is an inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate. She grew up in Oxford and took her first degree at Warwick University and her MEd at Birmingham, both in Mathematics. A very keen gardener in her spare time, she enjoys travelling in the holidays and visits South Africa annually.

A strong advocate of single-sex education, Miss Haynes supports The John Lyon School’s innovative partnership with a local girls’ school, Northwood College, which gives pupils certain opportunities to work and socialise with girls.

The John Lyon School opened in 1876, having been established by nearby Harrow School as a day school for local boys. It remains a member of the Harrow School foundation, together with Harrow School itself and John Lyon’s Charity.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of The John Lyon School by Edge Media

MEDIA CONTACTS: Miss Katherine Haynes, Head of The John Lyon School, on 020 8872 8400 or Paul Herbert at Edge Media on 01453 544900