First headmistress appointed at school attended by Hockney
A PRIVATE school which has a heritage dating back to 1548 has appointed its first headmistress.
Kerry Howes has taken the helm at Bradford Grammar Junior School, which counts David Hockney, team GB cyclist AbbyMae Parkinson and the Brownlee brothers as former students, following the retirement of Neil Gabriel.
Miss Howes joined the school, near Lister Park in Manningham, in 2003 as a class teacher and progressed to subject co-ordinator, then director of teaching and learning, deputy head and now headmistress.
Describing her new role as an honour, she said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to take on the new role and I’m particularly passionate about the junior school’s strong and proactive pastoral support that lies at the very heart of the Bradford Grammar School community and is an intrinsic part of school life.
“Social and emotional learning is just as important as academic achievement and we provide a nurturing atmosphere where children can develop as individuals in a safe and caring environment.”
Miss Howes’s new role means she will be given more opportunities to interact with the local community and schools.
She said: “The children are continuously encouraged to see themselves not just as a part of the Bradford Grammar School family, but the wider Yorkshire community. Supporting charities like Wear it Wild, Macmillan Cancer Support and JCI Bradford aids in helping us to develop happy, contented and socially-aware children, which is essential.”
Miss Howes also places importance on children’s happiness at school, which she believes helps to boost performance. She said: “The happiness of the children is of the utmost important thing to all who work at the school; and if the children are not happy they can’t thrive in their studies and beyond the classroom in sports, the arts and clubs. I am excited and consider myself privileged to take up this new position.”