We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Sarah Rollings as the new Head following the retirement of Mrs Rebecca Dougall in summer 2025.
A gifted educationalist and passionate about girls’ education, Mrs Rollings has been Headmistress of Heathfield School Ascot, a senior girls’ school in Berkshire, since 2021. Mrs Rollings holds a first-class degree from Brunel University in Secondary Education with Geography and Physical Education as well as an MA in Educational Leadership and Management. She has also completed an Executive Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Mrs Rollings has extensive teaching and leadership experience from several schools, including The Abbey and Cranford House. She previously served as Director of Sport at St Helen and St Katharine from 2011–2017 and brings with her great experience and love of the School.
Mrs Rollings is also Chair of the ISC Cross Association Sports Committee and the GSA Sports & Wellness Committee, frequently writes on educational matters for leading publications, and is an experienced school Governor and ISI Inspector.
As well as her enjoyment of many different sports as participant and spectator, Mrs Rollings is passionate about the arts and music, in particular. A fervent believer that it is never too late to embrace a challenge and have a go at something new, she has recently taken up the saxophone to add to her woodwind and singing talents, but finds delight in many different forms of live music and performance.
Mrs Rollings said of her appointment: “St Helen and St Katharine is an exceptional school. The energy and enthusiasm of the students and staff is truly inspirational, and I am so proud to be leading the School into its next chapter. Building on the outstanding work of Mrs Rebecca Dougall and all our predecessors, I am committed to fostering an environment where ambition and achievement are celebrated, and where every student feels empowered to reach her full potential. The combination of high aspiration and the warmth and joy that define the St Helen’s community creates the perfect setting for young women to thrive. St Helen’s is so much more than just a school – it has long held a special place in my heart, and I am thrilled to rejoin this incredible community. I can’t wait to get to know all of our students, staff and families and the alumnae community, and to work together to ensure that the next evolution of the St Helen and St Katharine journey is one of continued success and inspiration.”
St Helen and St Katharine’s current Headmistress, Mrs Dougall, has led the School since 2015 with enormous distinction and success. Under her leadership, the School has strengthened its longstanding reputation for academic distinction, empowering girls and young women to achieve their full potential. St Helen’s has been ranked top girls’ school in Oxfordshire and top five in the southeast, as well as the top school overall in Abingdon, by The Times Parent Power 2025, which ranks schools based on academic performance at A level and GCSE.
Mrs Dougall said: “I am so proud of St Helen’s, and I am thrilled to be passing on the custodianship of this great school to Sarah; I cannot imagine a better person to nurture all that the School holds dear and to take it forwards into the next phase of its development. Sarah and I are both looking forward to a period of detailed handover.”
Chair of Governors, Miss Sara Benbow said: “St Helen and St Katharine has been extremely fortunate to have been led by a series of brilliant and inspiring women since its first lay Headmistress, Frances Hayward took the reins in 1968. We are delighted that in Sarah Rollings we have found not just a worthy successor to her illustrious predecessors, but someone with vision, dynamism and a passionate commitment to all aspects of girls’ education who will build on everything they achieved and take the School to even greater heights. Becky Dougall is going to be a very tough act to follow; we are convinced that Sarah Rollings is the right person for the job!”
