Get to know the new Head of Hulme Grammar School

Kirsten Pankhurst will become the new Head of Hulme Grammar School after Easter 2025.

Kirsten is currently the Senior Deputy Head at Birkenhead School, where she has gained a wealth of experience in senior leadership roles, including overseeing much of the day-to-day running of the school and playing a key role in shaping its strategic development. She is an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead, a trained ISI inspector, and has a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges that face independent schools.

Kirsten has held a variety of leadership roles throughout her career, including English teacher, Head of English, and Deputy Head Academic. Kirsten brings a hands-on leadership style, with a strong focus on academic and pastoral excellence. At Birkenhead, she was instrumental in expanding co-curricular activities, significantly increasing student participation in sports, music, and the arts. She is committed to inclusivity and ensuring that every student thrives. Her strategic thinking, passion for education, and broad experience make her the perfect fit for Hulme’s next chapter.

Today we hear from Kirsten herself, as she shares with us her vision for Hulme Grammar School, how her experiences have shaped her as an education leader, and even her favourite book!

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in education? I grew up in South Africa where education is not compulsory and not free. I therefore place great value on education and, as Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’.

What previous experiences have shaped your approach as an educational leader? I have taught at a wide range of schools including large comprehensives, boarding schools and independent schools. Educational institutions, like Hulme, give students the very best a good education can offer: teachers who care about more than grades, academic staff passionate about eliciting potential, and a broad range of opportunities that allow students to thrive into adulthood.

What is your vision for Hulme Grammar School over the next few years? To do what it has done for centuries – provide students from all backgrounds the grounding and education that enables them to think back on their time at Hulme with affection as they take their place in their chosen field with an education that sets them apart from their peers.

How do you define success for students in our school? Successful students are those who are confident, but not arrogant, interested and interesting and who are looking to give more than looking to take from the communities they find themselves in.

How do you see the role of parents and the community in supporting the school’s mission? We are grateful for the confidence parents have in us in entrusting their children to us. We promise to take that trust seriously and work with them to ensure that their children leave knowing that their school, and their parents, could do no more for them. They will leave ready to take their place in the communities they serve.

How will you ensure that every student feels valued and included at Hulme Grammar School? I love being in a school, and I look forward to getting to know all the students, and their families over the months and years ahead. Teaching at a school like Hulme is a privilege and I would expect all the staff – both teaching and support – to feel the same sense of pride in the students. As such, every student should be known and valued by everyone they meet on the corridors. This innate interest, along with a broad range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities, should allow every young person to find their niche.

What excites you most about joining Hulme Grammar School? I have enjoyed my visits very much. There is a sense of purposeful optimism that fills the corridors and I most look forward to enjoying that feeling myself as I become part of the community.

What was your favourite subject when you were in school? I tried to fill my time at school with things I loved (reading, watching film and theatre, singing and playing sport) and so my favourite subjects were English, Drama and PE

Do you have any pets? What are their names? Lots! A massive Newfipoo called Rowlf, two English bulldogs named Chaka and Dawson (Michael) and 2 cats called Baloo and Mauricio Pochettino (Mopo for short) 

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not at school? I watch my daughters and my favourite team, the Springboks, play rugby. I watch musicals and I try to play some netball.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? My cat Mopo. He loves the sun, sleeps all day, and only gets up to eat food.

Do you have a favourite story or book from when you were little? When I was very little my favourite books were the Famous Five stories. But my actual favourite is Pride and Prejudice, and my daughter is named Darcy.

What’s your favourite colour or favourite food? I love food! My favourite is probably pizza, but I am not fussy.

What games did you like to play when you were in school? We used to play active games – skipping with a big rope was a favourite as well as ‘running red rover’

Do you have a special hobby or something you love to do outside of work? I still play netball for my team every week. But I think those days are numbered now.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go? Cape Town! But somewhere I haven’t gone, and is top of the list, is Japan.

What was your dream job when you were young? I always wanted to teach, but if I couldn’t do that, I wanted to be a paramedic.

How do you help make school a fun place for everyone to learn? Learning is fun. That could be learning maths, learning how to play Chess, learning lines for a play. When there is a lot going on and everyone is considerate and kind, then coming to school is the best fun a person can have.

We look forward to welcoming Kirsten to Hulme next Easter.