THE first ever female headteacher of Forest School is to take over the reins from the retiring head this autumn.

Sarah Kerr-Dineen, who has studied at both Cambridge and Oxford, is the former deputy academic head at St Edward's, a boarding school in Oxford.

She said: “I also worked for a number of years at Oxford High School for Girls and before that, I worked for the Open University.

“I am the first female head of Forest School but I see myself more as the 11th head – it's not the most important thing about me and I feel very honoured to be given the post.”

Known as the “warden” of the school, Mrs Kerr-Dineen takes over from Andrew Boggis, who has been at Forest, in College Place, Snaresbrook, since 1992.

She comes to the school after a record year for A-level results, with more than 80 per cent of pupils scoring A and B grades, but does not feel anxious about upholding the school's legacy.

She said: “I think it's a very good position to be working from – it's a position of strength and I'll be looking at what we've done well and what could be done better.

“My feelings are optimism and ambition but it's too early to say what needs improving.”

The school also celebrates its 175th birthday in the coming academic year and Mrs Kerr-Dineen said she looks forward to taking part in the festivities.

Also a mother-of-four, Mrs Kerr-Dineen enjoys the theatre, reading and visiting the west country.

She now plans to familiarise herself with the school and the local area in preparation for her new role.

She added: “The diversity within the school is one of its dominant characteristics.

“You feel as you look around there's a huge wealth of experience.”

Mrs Kerr-Dineen, whose degree was in English, will also be teaching 11-year-olds at the school.

She said: “Even if it's only a little, I think it's very important that the warden teaches.”

Forest School opened in 1834 with just 22 pupils and now has 1,230.

Its ten preceding wardens have all been male and boys and girls are still taught separately.

Q&A

1)What was the first record you ever bought?

“It was Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I played the violin when I was little and I enjoyed hearing the violins in that particular piece. I was about nine at the time.

“I think my first pop record was a compilation with Layla and Ruby Tuesday on it.”

2)What is your earliest childhood memory?

“It was falling head first down the stairs – I ended up with a large bump on my head.

“I was about 18 months old and I can see my foot missing the top step.”

3)What would you be doing if you were not in education?

“I would be reading or writing in some form – I'm not quite sure which form. I'm not a novelist manqué but it would be something involving the printed word.”

4)What is your most treasured possession?

“It's a box of my children's early creations – things they've made at school and suchlike.”

5)What's the one thing you can't do without in the morning?

“A cup of coffee, certainly first thing – it's what I need.”

6)Who is your favourite composer?

“Probably Mozart. I don't know why, to be honest. It could be Mozart and it could be other composers – I like the music they've written.”

7)Do you have any pets?

“I've got a chocolate Labrador called Charlie, who's actually a girl. She's four and we've had her since she was a puppy.

“She's very loving, but not very bright.”

8)What is your favourite film?

“American Beauty or La Vie en Rose. I loved the artistry of American Beauty and in La Vie en Rose, it was the way in which the actress embodied Edith Piaf.

“It was extraordinary and felt very real.”

9)What is your proudest moment in education?

“All my proudest moments are to do with the success of my pupils. For example, I taught quite a difficult boy, who did extremely well and thanked me for believing in him.

“There are also pupils who had really difficult circumstances, who went on to Oxford or Cambridge and I would also say my present appointment.”

10)If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

“I really love living in London. I lived here when I was first married and I had my first child at Homerton Hospital.”