Input from students as school chooses a head

A NEW head teacher has been appointed for Dover Boys' Grammar School - after being interviewed by some of the pupils.

Sally Lees, who is currently a deputy head at Maidstone Boys' Grammar, will take over from Julia Bell in September.

The new head of Dover Boys' Grammar School, Sally Lees

Mrs Lees was chosen from a short list of seven candidates, and chairman of governors Jim Murray said it was a "high calibre field".

"There was a very rigorous selection process, over two days, including being interviewed by the School Council," said Mr Murray.

"This consists of students of all ages who reported back to the appointment panel with some very interesting and telling comments which were fed into the process. "We felt that although the other candidates would have made excellent head teachers, Mrs Lees was the right person for this school."

"She is already visiting the school and working with Mrs Bell to make sure we have a smooth transition." Mrs Lees told the Mercury this week:

"I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the school into the next phase of its development.

"My main purpose will be to work with the staff and governors to provide a school in which our students are offered every opportunity to develop their full academic potential and to nurture their skills and abilities to enable them to take their place in 21st century society.

"My role at Dover Grammar School for Boys will be to celebrate the history and traditions of the school, whilst developing a forward-looking culture in which we are committed to continual improvement in the education we provide for our students, and the service we provide for the community of Dover and Deal"

Mrs Lees studied maths at Oxford University and began her career at Maidstone Grammar School in 1979.

She returned to the school following a break to raise her family. She has three daughters.

Mrs Lees plays the piano and viola and performs with a string quartet, called the Beresford Ensemble, which plays at Dover College in February. She also gives lunchtime piano recitals at her school.