New head to join Oldham Hulme Grammar School

Oldham Hulme Grammar School is all set to welcome its new head after Easter.

Kirsten Pankhurst is currently the senior deputy head at Birkenhead School in Wirral, 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.  

She brings a hands-on leadership style, with a strong focus on academic and pastoral excellence.  

At Birkenhead, she has been instrumental in expanding co-curricular activities, significantly increasing student participation in sports, music, and the arts.  

About her background as an educator, she said: “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’. 

“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.” 

On her vision, for the Chamber Road school, for the next few years, she added: “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. 

“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. 

“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." 

On her visits to the school, she said: “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.”