Private School News

QUEENSWOOD SCHOOL Principal scoops top job

Pupils, parents, staff and governors said farewell on Speech Day to the school’s Principal, Clarissa Farr, who leaves Queenswood to head up the prestigious St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith in September.

Ms Farr came to Queenswood in 1992 as Director of Studies, having taught English and Theatre Studies at a range of establishments including: a sixth-from college, a comprehensive school, a grammar school and also in Hong Kong. Ms Farr was appointed as Principal on the retirement of Mrs Audrey Butler in 1996 and has been instrumental in assisting the 400+ girls’ school go from strength to strength. Ms Farr, who was President of The Girls’ Schools Association last year, is well-known for her positive views about the merits of single sex education and can often be heard on radio and television. Currently Queenswood is top of the league of Hertfordshire schools for Value Added and in the top 35 schools in the national league tables for exam performance (St Paul’s being at the top).

Ms Farr (48) is married to John Goodbody who is a sports writer with The Times and they have two children who attend local independent schools. She is a keen sportswoman and has completed numerous marathons; she can often be seen running through the 120 acres of Queenswood’s mature estate. The school’s sporting prowess is renowned and has representation in eight different sports at national level. The school is currently glowing with pride at the success of its former tennis scholar, Naomi Cavaday who appeared at Wimbledon this year and is our best British ladies hopeful for the future.

A specially commissioned portrait of Ms Farr by visiting Russian artist, Rashit Habirov, was unveiled at the school and the recently opened theatre has been named The Clarissa Farr Theatre in honour of its departing Principal.

Mrs Pauline Edgar, from Francis Holland School in London, has been appointed to the post of Principal at Queenswood and will take up the post of from 1 September 2006.