What is school for and why does it matter? What contributes to the success of women? How can we inspire confidence, and nurture excellence in children - girls especially - that will equip them for adult life? Drawing on her time as high mistress of St Paul's Girls' School, one of the most successful schools of the country, Clarissa reflects on her experience of working as a key figure in the UK's education system. From the pressures of the staff room and results day, to the isolation of leading as a headmistress, The Making of Her helps us understand the real challenges facing children and educators in the UK, but also points to what needs to change. Making the case for agile, flexible leadership, Clarissa highlights the importance of giving others space to take the limelight and grow in confidence. Finding the balance between structure and spontaneity enables children and teachers alike to grow and flourish in their own way. Most importantly, all children need the expertise of teachers to mentor, coach, guide and encourage them, regardless of their background.

Author Biography

Clarissa Farr is an experienced leader in education, a non-executive director and a writer. She was High Mistress of St Paul's Girls' School in west London, one of the UK's leading secondary schools, for eleven years from 2006-2017 and was previously Principal of Queenswood School. Currently a Director of Education for Inspired, an international schools group with over 40 schools on four continents, Clarissa is also a Fellow of Winchester College and a Governor of The Royal Ballet School. She as a founding member of the board of the African Gifted Foundation which has a new school in Accra for talented young African women in the sciences. She recently joined the global advisory board of a newly launched US company, Whittle School and Studios. She has been a Trustee of the British Museum since 2016 and now chairs the Friends' Advisory Council, which represents the Museum's 75000 members.