Historic moment for grammar school’s first female executive head

As previously reported, Mrs Smith makes the move from Kesteven and Sleaford High School where she was Head of School.

She replaces Nick Law who has stepped aside after being Carre’s headteacher since January 2008, and Executive Headteacher of Carre's and Kesteven and Sleaford High School since 2015. Mr Law has moved on to a new role as Director of Secondary Education at the Community Inclusive Trust, of which both schools are now part.

Mrs Smith said it is a real privilege to make this historic step. “I’m very conscious of the significance of that, but I’m equally conscious that this is not about being the first woman — it is about being the right person to lead Carre’s and Kesteven and Sleaford High School into their next chapters.

“Carre’s and the High School have an extraordinary history and a very strong sense of identity. I want to respect everything that makes the schools special while ensuring that we continue to develop and respond to what young people need from their education today.”

She added: “It’s a hugely exciting time to be taking on this role. There is so much to be proud of at Carre’s and at Kesteven and Sleaford High School, and my job is to build on those strengths and create even more opportunities for young people to thrive. I can’t wait to get going.”

Mrs Smith accepted the offer to become Executive Headteacher last December, with responsibility for the strategic direction and for the wellbeing, personal development, safety and academic progress of around 1,600 young people across both schools.

She commented: “Having seven months to prepare has been a real gift. It has given me the opportunity to meet staff, talk to students and listen to parents, and to spend time understanding what matters most to both school communities.

“We have used that time very deliberately. With senior colleagues, I’ve been able to revisit the vision and values of both schools and co-create development plans, so that when September arrived we were not starting from scratch — we are ready to hit the ground running.”

She said that the past seven months has given her the chance to gain an understanding of the pride and loyalty that staff and students have for Carre’s. “I’ve asked lots of people what they think must never change about the school, and one word that comes up again and again is ‘nurturing’,” she said, emphasising that Carre’s traditions, its pastoral ethos and its academic ambition remain as important as ever.

“I’ve certainly felt warmly welcomed. I’m joining a team that values Carre’s history and reputation, but also understands that a great school is about developing the whole person, not simply academic outcomes.”

At Carre's they seek to unlock and develop potential by understanding students’ strengths and giving them confidence to go further.

Mrs Smith was also keen to see Carre’s and KSHS working together, saying: “I firmly believe that Carre’s and Kesteven and Sleaford High School can flourish further through collaboration. That doesn’t mean losing what makes either school distinctive; it means sharing expertise, ideas and opportunities so that both communities benefit.

“We already have an excellent example of what collaboration can achieve through the Sleaford Joint Sixth Form. It provides an outstanding education for sixth form students across the town, with a very broad Level 3 curriculum, while also giving students opportunities to work together academically, socially and within the wider community.”

“It helps prepare them not just for university or employment, but for life beyond school.”

Having previously led Kesteven and Sleaford High School to becoming an outstanding school, she said: “Students learn best when they feel safe, seen and that they belong. That sense of belonging is particularly important for young people who may face barriers to their learning for whatever reason. But belonging goes hand in hand with high expectations — expectations for behaviour, for effort and for making a positive contribution to the school and wider community.”

On her leadership team she said both schools have fantastic people to rely on: “At Carre’s, I’m incredibly fortunate to be working alongside Jamie Holland. Jamie knows Carre’s like no one else. He was a student here himself and has spent most of his career at the school. He has strong relationships with students, staff and parents, and he will be an invaluable guide as we work together to develop the next phase of Carre’s success.

“The same is true at Kesteven and Sleaford High School. I could only take on the Executive Head role because the High School is in such a strong position, and because Katy Stokes has already played such an important role in its success over the past four years as Assistant Head.

“Jamie and Katy will lead the operational, day-to-day running of their respective schools and will be the first point of contact for staff and parents. Between them, they have an enormous amount of knowledge, experience and trusted relationships, and I’m very fortunate to have them alongside me.”

She saw joining the Community Inclusive Trust as “an exciting time” as Carre’s and Kesteven and Sleaford High School were the first mainstream secondary schools to join the CIT last year, and are now part of a family of 19 primary, secondary and specialist schools across Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

“We retain significant autonomy, including over our curriculum, but being part of a wider Trust gives us the opportunity to share great practice and expertise while also benefiting from strong support and challenge,” said Mrs Smith. “The Trust has particular expertise in areas such as safeguarding and SEND, and what struck us immediately was how closely our values align around what makes great schools.”

On the priorities for September they are focused on creating welcoming and inspiring school environments with excellent teaching.

She said: “We want every young person to know that they are seen, that they matter and that they are capable of achieving more than they might initially believe.”

But she insisted she will need the support of parents, community partners, the Trust and local governors, and the commitment and expertise of staff.