Royal High: New Year, New Term, New Head, New Beginnings

It has been over a week since Ms Heidi-Jayne Boyes took the lead as Head of Royal High School Bath, and the school community is already energised by her leadership. Having formally assumed the role on 1 January 2025, Ms Boyes, who previously led Wakefield Girls’ High School, brings a wealth of experience in girls’ education and a passion for fostering an environment where students thrive academically and personally.

Reflecting on her first week, Ms Boyes shared her excitement:

‘I am thrilled to finally be here at Royal High. The welcome I’ve received has been extraordinary, and I am truly energised by the warmth, ambition, and kindness of the students and staff. I am excited to learn about the unique traditions of the school and its rich history, while also working with everyone to help the school evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century.’

Ms Boyes’ philosophy as a Head is centred on empowering students to reach their full potential, both academically and in life. She emphasises the importance of creating an inspiring, supportive environment that fosters independence, confidence, and curiosity. In her words, ‘Education is changing rapidly, and as educators, we must ensure that students are equipped not just for the world today, but for the future. This means embracing new technologies like AI, while also addressing the mental health challenges and skills gaps that students face in the wake of the pandemic.’

Royal High’s ethos of “girls first” deeply resonates with Ms Boyes. She believes that a girls-only environment provides a unique space where young women can build the confidence to achieve without limits. ‘I believe in the transformative power of single-sex education,’ she says. ‘In a girls’ school, we create an environment that nurtures sisterhood, warmth, and academic rigor, empowering young women to become the architects of their own futures.’

Throughout her first week, Ms Boyes has been making it a priority to connect with students and staff at both the prep and senior school, embracing the opportunity to understand their values, traditions, and what excites them about their school. ‘I am excited to hear from students and learn what they value most about their Royal High experience,’ she added. ‘The energy here is infectious, and it’s clear to me that the school has a strong foundation, both in its academic excellence and the sense of community it fosters.’

The school community is excited about Ms Boyes’ leadership. As one student shared, Isabelle – a Year 10 student – said ‘We’re all so excited to have Ms. Boyes as our new Head. She’s moved her office so she’s right in the middle of the school and we can go and see her anytime.’ Ms Boyes herself echoed this sentiment in her speech at the first Senior School assembly of the term: ‘I am really thrilled to be here…I am excited to hear from you and see how the school works, learn about your traditions and quirks, and what you value as well as looking to the future to consider how we can continue to evolve.’ With Ms Boyes at the forefront, Royal High School Bath is poised for an exciting new chapter, one that balances tradition with forward-thinking approaches and prepares its students for the future with confidence, creativity, and resilience.

Royal High School Bath is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18 years located in the city of Bath, South West England. Royal High School Bath is a school designed for girls. Where every girl matters, every voice is heard, and every girl is empowered to explore and to try anything. We are experts in all-girls’ education and proud to be part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools.