The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process to find an outstanding, experienced and forward-thinking education leader with a commitment to and passion for girls’ education. Rowena Cole has been Head at St John’s School, Leatherhead and Head at Dunottar School, Reigate and prior to that was Deputy Head at Guildford High School and held various teaching positions. 

Rowena will take up the position in September 2023 when the current Head Mistress, Heather Hanbury, retires after leading the School for nine years. 

David King, Chair of Governors at LEH, said “We are delighted to appoint Rowena Cole as our next Head Mistress. Rowena’s exceptional experience and leadership stood out in a very strong candidate field, and we were particularly impressed by her warmth, leadership experience, and alignment with LEH’s ethos and values. I know I speak on behalf of the whole school when I say we look forward to giving Rowena a very warm welcome in September. 

“We are extremely proud of LEH, our wonderful pupils and our heritage as one of the oldest and most successful girls’ school in the UK. We are grateful for the exemplary leadership and many achievements enjoyed during Heather Hanbury’s tenure at LEH since 2014 and she will leave a truly impressive legacy. As we look to the future, we are pleased that we will be guided by Rowena Cole as we write the next chapter in LEH’S remarkable story.” 

Rowena Cole said “I am delighted to have been appointed as the next Head Mistress of Lady Eleanor Holles School.  The personality of the School, with its energy and ambition coupled with a strong sense of care and community shone through when I visited earlier in the autumn.

“I am excited to be returning to an academic girls’ school where pupils are encouraged to believe everything is possible and where they are celebrated for being exactly who they are. I look forward to joining such a vibrant community of staff, pupils, parents and alumnae and to shaping the next chapter in the School’s history.”