60 seconds with Nottingham Girls' High School Head Julie Keller

The Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST Julie Keller on her background and educational philosophy

What is your background?
I’m proudly Nottingham-born and have spent all of my career teaching in the Nottingham community. I went to the local comprehensive school, then on to University of Leicester to study Economic and Social History, and back to University of Nottingham for my PGCE. Following 11 years in the maintained sector, I joined Nottingham Girls’ High School as Deputy Head in 2011. I have just celebrated 10 years as Head of the school.

What excites you most about your role?
The girls always laugh as I say, often, that I have the best job in the world. Every day is exciting. Who wouldn’t want to work with 600 female leaders of the future? We are a progressive, creative school with an outstanding staff and brilliant students. Seeing just what girls can achieve, when they are taught in an environment built entirely around them is incredible.

What is your academic philosophy?
My mantra is that no girl is left behind – every girl makes progress and achieves outstanding results. My belief is that girls should go off to study what they want where they want and play to their strengths, whether that be the incredible numbers who go off to study medicine and law or those who pursue their passion for classics, acting, music or aviation.

Can you tell us about one pivotal moment in your career?
The most pivotal moment of my career was becoming Deputy Head. Having never experienced a girls’ only environment before I was blown away by the ethos and opportunities that just aren’t there in a co-ed setting. Since 2011, I have become a passionate advocate for all girls’ schools and see it as my mission to ensure they survive long into the future. I want to demonstrate to people that far from the old-fashioned stereotype, schools like ours are the most progressive possible.

What is your school’s approach and what sets it apart?
I truly believe that Nottingham Girls’ is unlike any other school. We smash stereotypes. Every girl, whether an introvert or extrovert, goes on to become an outstanding leader. We are a family and a community, we know every single girl, and we never give up on anyone. Everyone is valued and respected and it’s genuinely the most happy place to be. In fact, all our visitors comment on how welcoming the school feels.

What makes a great student?
Girls are naturally perfectionists, so students who are honest and brave – honest about their weaknesses, and brave enough to admit how they’re feeling – are the ones that thrive. We don’t need to add any further pressure – they do that enough to themselves.

From your experience, what makes a great school environment?
A school that builds trust with staff and with parents. No school can turn out successful and well-rounded individuals if their teachers are working in a culture of pressure and micromanagement. I believe in leading with honesty and transparency, and my open-door policy is exactly that. The fact that in our most recent staff engagement survey, 92% of staff said they enjoyed their role means we are doing something right. A happy girl is a successful girl, but you need happy staff for students to succeed.

Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST nottinghamgirls.gdst.net

Further reading: 60 seconds with Deborah Bligh, Headmistress of Mayfield School