We chatted with Rebecca Halse (left) and Lindsay Wharton-Howett (centre), our Deputy Heads, to find out all about their roles and vision for NGHS.
These incredible women lead our Academic and Pastoral aspects of school life. They work together seamlessly, which is not surprising, as we know that happiness and attainment go hand in hand.
Rebecca Halse is our Deputy Head (Academic). She is an academic powerhouse herself, with a first class degree in Maths and Economics from the University of Leeds, including a year at the esteemed McGill University in Canada, and a PGCE from the University of Cambridge.
Rebecca has taught in both the state and independent sectors, in co-ed and all girls’ environments. She explained why she is so passionate about all girls’ schools. As a female mathematician, she knows that she is regarded as “unusual”. Sadly, the world still sees Maths as a “boys’ subject”. When teaching in a co-ed school, Rebecca noticed her female students taking a back seat, assuming the boys knew all the answers, and observed a lack of confidence in them. When she moved to her first all girls’ school, she noticed that more girls chose Maths as an option. They didn’t regard it, or any other subject, as geared for boys. They chose what they enjoyed, and surrounded by other like-minded girls, they excelled. We’re proud to have such a positive female role model leading the Academic Strategy at school. Rebecca is someone our students and staff all look up to.
To give a brief summary of Rebecca’s time here at NGHS – we welcomed her to the school in 2012 as Head of Maths and Technology. In 2014, she became Assistant Head – Assessment and Curriculum. Rebecca was responsible for transforming our timetable and academic offer, developing a bespoke, flexible curriculum to ensure students were, and still are, able to study what they’re most passionate about, play to their strengths, and achieve excellence. She spearheaded our leading approach to GCSEs, encouraging girls to take nine not ten. This helped students to focus on the exams that really matter to them, without jeopardising their A-Level or university choices. This is a strategy now commonly seen across many schools, proving that Rebecca is helping NGHS lead the way in its progressive approach.
Rebecca has been part of the Senior Leadership Team since 2014, and brings a logical, scientific approach to the school’s strategic leadership. As a mum to two young children, working four days a week, she is a role model to many women, proving that women don’t have to choose between family life and their career if they don’t wish to, and that’s important for the girls at NGHS to see.
Lindsay Wharton-Howett is our Deputy Head (Pastoral). She began her career in the business world after graduating from the University of Nottingham with a first class honours degree. Specialising in HR and Legal, Lindsay enjoyed working with people. Her true passion, however, is young people, and she’s enjoyed working in state and independent schools. She was headhunted to join NGHS in 2012, when Mrs Keller was determined to transform the co-curricular programme.
Linsday brought a modern, dynamic and engaging co-curricular strategy to NGHS and we’re grateful for all the exciting things our girls are now able to take part in. As the charity lead, Lindsay enabled us to gain the Lord Lieutenant’s Award for Volunteering in 2018; a fabulous accolade for the school, and especially for the Charity Prefects.
Using her business connections, Lindsay also helped NGHS develop a leading Community Partnership programme. We were proud to be finalists at the Independent Schools Awards for Community Outreach in 2018. Thanks to her progressive networking approach, NGHS continues to play a vital role in the Nottingham community, working with local schools, businesses and charities. This brings fabulous opportunities for our students across the school, and delivers value to our local community too.
After leading the teaching and learning strategies as Assistant Head, Lindsay is now our Pastoral Lead as Deputy Head. Her experience across both academic and pastoral matters means that she is perfectly placed to bring all the jigsaw pieces together to enable every student to excel. She understands the vital link between wellbeing and attainment, and with her natural warmth and approachability, she has built fantastic relationships with the students and their families. A happy girl is a successful girl, and we’re so proud of the positive energy that buzzes through NGHS every day. Lindsay is passionate about learning and about making every element of our students’ education truly exceptional. We’re so proud to have Lindsay pushing us all to be the very best we can be.
During her time here, Lindsay has also become a mum to two children. Like her counterpart, Rebecca, she is a great role model to young women who wish to have a family and a fantastic career. Her vision for the future is one where “kindness is not seen as a weakness.” Her calm, warm and kind approach, coupled with her creativity, determination and high standards, is certainly an inspiration to all of us, and we’re delighted to have Lindsay as a key leader for the school.
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