I am excited to introduce myself as the new Headteacher of King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy. It is both an honour and a source of great pride to assume this role at a school that means so much to me. Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as Deputy Headteacher at this academy, collaborating with a dedicated team of staff who prioritisse the well-being and growth of every student.
During my time here, I have been continuously inspired by our staff’s dedication to delivering the highest quality education. We believe that academic achievement equips our students to succeed on the global stage, helping them pursue their ambitions beyond our walls. However, we also understand that true success encompasses more than just academic results. Our comprehensive pastoral care program offers support, comfort, and guidance, fostering a nurturing environment where each student can flourish.
As a British-born Indian Sikh woman, I take pride in working in Birmingham, a city celebrated for its vibrancy and rich cultural diversity. This community embraces a variety of cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and I am delighted to lead a school that embodies this spirit. Being a mother to two children has deepened my passion for education and strengthened my commitment to making a positive difference in young people’s lives. I recognize the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and can reach their full potential.
Our academy staff are dedicated, compassionate, and always willing to go above and beyond to meet our students’ needs. Together, we are committed to shaping young women who are resilient, empathetic, articulate, and confident individuals equipped with the skills, character, and self-assurance to make a meaningful impact in the world.
I am also excited to be working with the King Edward’s Trust and our governors, who are deeply invested in making Birmingham a leading city for education. Their dedication aligns seamlessly with our shared mission to provide each student with the opportunities and support necessary for their growth and success.
Serving as Headteacher of this academy is a role I am incredibly proud to take on, especially at a school so rich in experience, culture, and strength. One of our students aptly described us as “an eagle, soaring high and reaching our aspirations”. As we embark on a new chapter with our upcoming building and fresh initiatives, I hope you will join me in embracing this renewed energy as we continue our journey toward excellence.
I would also like to introduce my Senior Leadership Team, who have shared their experiences and roles within the academy. They are committed to supporting our students, staff, families, and the wider community. Should you have any concerns or celebrations to share, their contact details are provided below.
“I strongly believe that all students can reach their full potential with the right curriculum and support network. Having been a senior leader at the academy for ten years, I have seen the confidence, and the voice of our young women grow year on year, which places them in a great position to be the leaders of tomorrow.
I have the responsibility for the quality of education and lead on our HPL (high performance learning) drive to ensure more students reach the top. Our curriculum offers the very best learning experiences in a wide range of subjects which we implement carefully in each of our lessons. We support our staff to deliver on our mission to unlock potential and overcome barriers and believe that with practise, perseverance, and self-belief our students will be school-ready, work-ready and life-ready.”
“I am delighted to join the academy and the senior leadership team, where I will be supporting the Headteacher in delivering an exceptional educational journey for all our students. In my role focusing on Inclusion and Safeguarding, I am committed to ensuring that every student achieves outstanding outcomes by supporting our students in overcoming any personal challenges and ensuring learning is accessible to all”.
“I’m Ms Dennis and as well as being the Designated Safeguarding Lead, I also have responsibility for promoting the positive welfare and wellbeing of our students and our school community. I feel so privileged every day to be able to support our students, staff and families to prioritise wellbeing with the overall aim of creating a happy and cohesive school community.”
“It is a privilege to work at HWGA, ensuring our students have access to the best tools, confidence, and unparalleled skillsets. The integration of EdTech in our curriculum and daily school life plays a crucial role in enhancing learning experience and preparing our students for the future.
As the STEM field continues to expand, we prioritise the needs of our students, with an increasing number being accepted into STEM-related fields in higher education. Our partnerships with leading names in the STEM industry provide our students with access to programs and projects that offer in-depth experiences in the sector.”
“I have been working at KEVI HWGA since January 2020 and have had the privilege of working in a dynamic role that has given me an insight into all aspects of our academy. I am proud of working in such a diverse and aspirational environment, to serve amazing students, and along with dedicated colleagues, helping to prepare them to realise their full potential.
I am most passionate about every student achieving the best possible outcomes for themselves and my role is to ensure that we all work together to support them with this, through evidence-led approaches to learning and consolidation, backed by cognitive science.”
“I began working here at HWGA in June, as an Assistant Headteacher, after 14 years’ experience of senior leadership in schools in Solihull and Warwickshire. I have felt so welcomed by the community, and it has been a privilege to serve children and their families so far.
My role in school is linked to the quality of education, and I have just completed a Masters degree through the University of Birmingham in Educational Leadership. As you know, we at HWGA are highly focused on helping our girls to be rounded individuals, and to get great academic results. That happens through strong classroom practises, and I work closely with all teaching staff to help further develop their expertise. We are determined to help our girls achieve strong subject knowledge and to develop their cognitive abilities, so that they become the best learners they can be. My role is to work with other senior leadership colleagues to enable teaching staff to achieve this with the girls. I am looking forward to continuing to work with you and your child(ren).”
