K at y R icks: VALETE
I remember very clearly the Saturday morning 18
years ago when, as Chair of Governors, I announced
to the Common Room the appointment of Katy Ricks
as Head. There was a collective gasp of surprise (which
seems inconceivable today) that a woman had been
appointed – and then another gasp, as it was realised
that, although very qualified for the role, Katy had no
acting experience of headship.
This proved no impediment whatsoever. From the
first days of her arrival at Sevenoaks, Katy took to
her new role with energy and sensitivity. She took
her time, but not too much time, in getting to know
the school. Although Sevenoaks had prospered over
the previous decade, there was by 2002 a sense that
its recent spate of initiatives needed consolidation.
Katy immediately focused on the few areas that had
begun to cause concern, and fixed them. For example,
she introduced the fortnightly timetable that took
unnecessary pressure off pupils and staff; and she
managed sure-footedly the full implementation of the
International Baccalaureate programme – a decision
that had been taken before her appointment, and
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against some opposition from staff and parents. It was
obvious, by the end of her first year, that Katy was an
exceptional leader.
At the same time, however, she was developing a
strategic vision for Sevenoaks, in consultation with
the school community. By the end of her second year,
the Governing Body agreed the first development plan
that the school had produced in decades; and the first
of its major capital projects was under construction.
Almost two decades, and several iterations later, this
development plan still guides the school’s direction.
It is this combination of a broad strategic vision with
an attention to detail (whether it’s the colour of the
chairs in a meeting room, or which shoes to wear on
Founder’s Day) that is one of Katy’s great strengths,
along with her instinct for choosing the right staff and
then encouraging them to work towards a clear, and
agreed, objective. Her management – and personal –
style is modern, and that has been very refreshing in
a school as old as Sevenoaks. It is also characterised
by a very personal touch, and a genuine concern for
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2018-2019