There will be a new headmistress at Kent College Pembury next year.

Katrina Handford will take over at the start of the January from Julie Lodrick, who is moving to become head at Tudor Hall in Oxfordshire after six years at Pembury..

Miss Handford is currently senior deputy head at Nottingham Girls’ High School.

The chairman of governors John Ingram, said: "A future head, to be successful, must be multi-faceted and Miss Handford’s passion and enthusiasm for the caring ethos of Kent College, combined with her proven leadership skills, financial awareness, strategic vision and obvious warmth demonstrated this.

Miss Handford said: “I am thrilled and eager to meet the students, staff and families of the school."

As part of the selection process Miss Handford spent time with the Head Girl Team, who said: "Having had the privilege of being part of the interview process, we were able to converse with a number of candidates.

"This enables us to say with confidence that Miss Handford will be the ideal head and we wish her all the best."

Kent College is an independent day and boarding school with a nursery and reception for girls and boys from three years old with boys being able to join successive year groups in the Prep School until is fully co-educational in 2027.

The Senior School is for girls only, from ages 11-18.

The school has 500 pupils, 100 of whom are boarders.

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