Headmistress’s Welcome

At St Catherine’s we foster curiosity, creativity and resilience and our excellent pastoral care helps each girl to discover her own gifts and talents. In turn, the girls are inspired to contribute whole-heartedly to school life and this creates a very special place, where each girl feels she belongs.

In 1914 the Sisters of Mercy founded this Catholic school and named it after the great 14th century reformer, St Catherine of Siena. We are fully independent, and proud of our  ambitious, all-girls’ school, which welcomes girls of all faiths and none, into a caring and vibrant community. Our school motto ‘Non Verba sed Facta’ (Not Words but Deeds) emphasises action and authenticity which can be seen in the girls’ enthusiasm, and in their openness to deeper values as they become young women ready to serve and to lead.

This year is a time of change at St Catherine’s. I will be relocating to Australia in January 2026 and the Board of Governors has appointed Mr Andrew McCleave as the new Head.

Mr McCleave will join St Catherine’s in April 2026, from the Ballard School in Hampshire which, under his leadership, was recognised as the Co-educational School of the Year in 2024. Mr McCleave is known for his pupil-focused approach which emphasises academic excellence alongside strong pastoral care. Before joining St Catherine’s, Mr McCleave held senior roles at other leading independent schools, including Director of Studies at The Lady Eleanor Holles School and Deputy Head Academic at City of London Freemen’s School.

During the Spring Term of 2026, Mrs Jessica Hennis-Rowe will serve as Interim Head. As Deputy Head at St Catherine’s for six years, Mrs Hennis-Rowe has a deep understanding of the school community and its values, and will ensure excellent leadership during this period.

These leadership changes are being managed with a clear sense of shared purpose. All three of us are focused on St Catherine’s exciting future and on ensuring that the girls thrive. We are very proud of the school and our girls, and warmly invite you to join one of the upcoming Open Events.

Johneen McPherson
Headmistress