SCHOOLGIRLS will be under the headship of a new face from September.

The board of governors of Burgess Hill School for Girls has announced the appointment of Kathryn Bell as the new headteacher from the next academic year.

Kathryn moves from being the headteacher of Ackworth School, a day and boarding School in West Yorkshire. She was educated at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham Girls’ School in London and at Exeter University where she gained a BSc Combined Honours degree in biology and geography.

Kathryn Bell said: “I am very excited about leading Burgess Hill School for Girls over the coming years and ensuring that the school continues to thrive as a happy, vibrant community where all are encouraged to flourish and succeed.

“It is a real privilege. I look forward to continuing to develop Burgess Hill’s philosophy of educating the whole girl to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

“I am very aware of the outstanding reputation the school has for its outstanding academic attainment, sporting success and music provision.

“I am greatly looking forward to taking the school forward, building on its past successes and leading it into a bright and exciting future.”

She was awarded her PGCE at St Lukes, Exeter University’s School of Education.

Her early teaching career was in West Sussex St. Michael’s Burton Park, Brighton and Hove High School and following a career break with her family of three girls and a boy, she went on to teach at Burgess Hill School for Girls and at Ardingly where she became second deputy.

She is a former Sussex County netball player and an accomplished chorister and musician, playing the flute, recorder and piano.

Charles Cooper, chairman of the board of governors at Burgess Hill School for Girls, said: “The governors conducted a rigorous appointing process assisted by consultants Odgers Berndtson.

“We believe that in Kathryn Bell we have chosen an outstanding candidate who has already had valuable experience as a head.

“We are sure that Kathryn understands and fully supports the ethos of Burgess Hill School for Girls and is well qualified to lead the school, building on its record of success.”