Experts

Expert online advice for mums & dads from the MyDaughter panel of experts.

Ruth Mercer

Position: Head Mistress

School: The Godolphin and Latymer School

Qualifications: BA (Hons) History, University of London, PGCE, Oxon, Advanced Diploma in Local History, Oxon

Experience: Head Mistress at The Godolphin and Latymer School since Jan 2009, after 6 years as Head Mistress at another GSA school, Northwood College. Prior to Headship at Northwood, I was Deputy Head at Godolphin and Latymer for 4 years following 14 years experience as a teacher of History and Politics whilst also being Head of Years, 8,9 and 10,11 and subsequently, Head of History and Politics. I love teaching History and believe that it is very important for a Head to continue to teach if at all possible.

Summary

Being married to a Deputy Head in a local, large comprehensive school for the last 21 years means I have an awareness of education in a very different environment to that in which I work. That and my two teenage children mean I certainly keep that sense of perspective we all talk about! My experience as the mother of a boy and of a girl, together with my teaching, and my experience of educational leadership in girls’ schools over the last ten years means that I am totally committed to single sex education. My own children both attend single sex schools; adolescent girls and boys develop in completely different ways and have such different needs, I believe these needs are met more effectively in single sex environments.

Articles by Ruth Mercer: