Sheffield High School for Girls’ has appointed Nina Gunson as the new Headteacher.
Mrs Gunson will join from Wakefield Girls’ High School, an independent day school for girls, where she is currently head of the senior school, and start in September.
Mrs Gunson was formerly deputy head at Sheffield Girls’ from May 2011 to August 2015, where she played a key role in the leadership and management team.
She will return to Sheffield Girls’ after current headteacher Valerie Dunsford retires at the end of the summer term in 2018 following 14 years at the school.
Mrs Gunson said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to Sheffield High School for Girls as its new Head to build on the outstanding work of Valerie Dunsford and to lead the school in the next stage of its journey. This incredible school holds a special place in my heart and I am excited to return to work alongside the remarkable girls and dedicated staff who form the Sheffield Girls’ community.”
Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust said: “Mrs Gunson is a dynamic and well-qualified school leader with extensive experience of educational and strategic leadership and a strong personal commitment to single-sex education, who aims to instil a ‘can-do’ approach into everyone in the school community.
“In her time at Wakefield she has brought about significant and sustainable change, developing both the academic and the pastoral offer, and leaves the school in a strong position.
“We will welcome Mrs Gunson back to both Sheffield Girls’ and the GDST, and wish her all the very best in her new role.
Valerie Dunsford, current headteacher at Sheffield High School for Girls added: “Nina is a strong and very effective leader, but also an excellent team player who will bring energy, dynamism and strategic thinking to the role. She understands and is fully committed to the ethos of Sheffield High School for Girls.”
Mrs Gunson studied Molecular Biology at the University of Huddersfield, and after a short stint as a recruitment consultant, returned there for her Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She also holds an MSc in Multimedia and E-Learning.
She began her teaching career as a biology teacher and Head of Careers at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, before joining Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College in Bradford as Head of Science, rising to Assistant Head.
