Meet the Senior Leadership Team

Mrs French - Headteacher

Mrs French graduated from the University of Kent at Canterbury with a History Degree and then a PGCE in History and Drama from The University of Reading. She began her teaching career in Maidstone and loved teaching History all the way through to A level (specialising in The Tudors) and she also directed and choreographed all of the school productions from the age of 22.  

Various leadership roles followed, as she then moved on to a school in Derbyshire, a super-selective boys’ grammar school in Essex, and then a super-selective girls’ grammar school, also in Essex.  Mrs French has been an examiner for OCR, is an experienced DSL and is passionate about creating a positive culture and sense of belonging in school.

Mrs French is on the UK Board of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools and was awarded the Princes’ Teaching Institute Leadership Award in 2018 for a three-year research project on teaching girls how to speak in public and the impact that this has on their learning in the classroom.  

An NPQSL and NPQH later, Mrs French took up the Headship of Chislehurst School for Girls in September 2020. She is also a Fellow of The Chartered College of Teaching and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Mrs French loves leading this wonderful school and considers herself fortunate to have such great colleagues and students.  

Mrs Tipping - Senior Deputy Headteacher

Mrs Tipping took her first degree at the University of Exeter, studying French with Music.  She then completed a second degree in Law at the London College of Law completing her solicitor finals to begin her professional life as a lawyer in the City of London, working for Cameron Markby and Hewitt, a law firm specialising in Insurance law.  After a number of years working in law, she decided to change professions and completed her teacher training (PGCE) at Homerton College, Cambridge qualifying as a teacher of Modern Foreign languages and Physical Education. 

 Her teaching career has spanned across 3 schools, with her first leadership post as Head of Sixth form in a co-educational Grammar school in Kent.  Her second leadership post as Assistant Headteacher at another local co-educational grammar school was a real privilege as she had the opportunity to head up the Language specialism of the school working with a wide range of staff developing the international dimension of the school expanding the curriculum so that the students had the opportunity to study over 6 languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Russian and British Sign language.   In addition,  she led the staff to introduce the exciting alternative to A-levels – the International Baccalaureate bringing through the first set of results for the Sixth Form students. 

Mrs Tipping joined this school as Deputy Headteacher with initial responsibility for Key Stage 3 and transition.  Having completed her headship qualification (NPQH) she then became Senior Deputy Headteacher with leadership and oversight of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.  The principal role in her position is to champion and support every Year 11 and Year 13 student to achieve the best results and go on to have fulfilling careers. She is extremely proud of the achievements of all GCSE and A-level  students at Chislehurst School for Girls. 

Mrs Forder - Deputy Headteacher

Mrs Forder did her degree in English and Spanish at l’Universite du Mirail in Toulouse South West France, with a specialisation in English Linguistics as part of her third year.  She then qualified as a Teacher of MFL in London. Later on, she achieved her Middle Leader qualification and her NPQH in preparation for Headship.  

Mrs Forder’s career has seen her working in three very different schools: Her first years were in a Boys' school in Inner London where she taught French and developed the first A level course for Modern Foreign Languages in the school.  

When the Government introduced specialisms in schools, she went to work in a mixed comprehensive school in Gravesend, where she worked on setting up the Modern Foreign Language specialism for the school with the Head of MFL; However, it is at Chislehurst School for Girls that she developed her career from Head of French to Deputy Headteacher.  

Mrs Forder has been a long serving member of the school community. As a Head of French and then Head of MFL, she developed cultural exchanges and ensured that for the first time, outcomes in French were on par with the national average. As the school started its journey with Bromley School Collegiate Teacher Training Provider, Mrs Forder alongside colleagues from two Bromley schools developed the first programme for Teacher Training in MFL for the Collegiate. 

As a Deputy Headteacher, she became the Bromley School Collegiate Manager to ensure the quality of the provision with the Teacher Training Team.  

Her main aim is always to bring the best possible provision and support to each student while looking after our members of staff through the Well-Being Committee that Mrs Forder has set up and leads.  

Mr Rutter - Assistant Headteacher

Mr ​Rutter took his BMus (Hons) degree at the University of London Goldsmiths' College from 1990-1993, before remaining there to complete a PGCE in Music in Secondary Education. He began teaching Music in Sevenoaks in 1994 at an all boys school, before moving to a large co-educational comprehensive in Dartford as a Head of Music. He was promoted to Head of Expressive Arts at Chislehurst School for Girls in 2003. He completed numerous training courses around subject leadership and a middle leadership qualification, before gaining some whole-school responsibilities of organising all of the School's Enhancement Days and leadership of publicity and school prospectus. 

Mr Rutter was promoted to Assistant Headteacher in in 2011 and in his current role, he has overseen and co-ordinated staff training and development for all staff. He is also responsible for mentoring and developing trainee teachers to reach QTS as Senior Mentor for the Bromley Schools' Collegiate and ensuring that newer teachers (ECTs - Early Career Teachers) are well trained so that they make an immediate impact on the lives of their students.  Mr Rutter launched the KS3 ICAN Diploma, aimed at the Grammar Stream students in Years 7-9 in 2022.  

Mrs Hodgson - Assistant Headteacher

Ms Hodgson is the Assistant Headteacher of Guidance and Inclusion at Chislehurst School for Girls, a role that she has held since September 2014. Ms. Hodgson earned her Undergraduate Degree from Goldsmiths University of London.

Joining Chislehurst School for Girls in 2006 as a Director of Studies for KS3 and teacher of Sociology and Health and Social Care, she has played an integral role in the school's academic and pastoral community. Ms Hodgson subsequently earned promotions to Acting Assistant Head Teacher and her current role as Assistant Headteacher in charge of Guidance and Inclusion.

Currently, Ms Hodgson leads on all aspects of guidance and inclusion, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. Her leadership extends to overseeing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and shaping the behaviour policy, reflecting her comprehensive approach to fostering a supportive and thriving school community.

Ms Hodgson is also a qualified DSL and for many years led the safeguarding team. She has also chaired the Bromley Borough Emotional Health Forum for a number of years within her time as the school’s DSL. As a qualified SENCO, Ms Hodgson is responsible for ensuring that the needs of SEND students are met. She works closely with other professionals and agencies in Bromley to provide the best possible support and opportunities for the students under her care. She has a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity and wellbeing in the school community, and has led several initiatives and projects to achieve this aim.

Ms Nicholson - Assistant Headteacher

Ms Nicholson became interested in teaching after working as a gymnastic coach both at Darlington Gymnastics Club in the North of England and at Camp Wa-Klo for Girls in New Hampshire, USA.  

After studying for her first degree in Physiology and Nutrition Ms Nicholson worked for the University of London then went on to complete a PGCE in Science at Goldsmith College. She has remained in the capital ever since, working in positions of increasing seniority at schools in Lewisham and Bromley. These roles ranged from Rasing Standards Leader in Science, Duke of Edinburgh and Year 8 Camp Co-ordinator, Year Co-ordinator to Head of Sixth Form. 

In her most recent post, Ms Nicholson has responsibility for assessment, recording and reporting, examinations and the whole school timetable alongside other vital systems and processes in the school. 

As an advocate of lifelong learning Ms Nicholson completed a Master of Education MEd - Leadership & Management at the University of Buckingham in October 2022 and a Level 7 Apprenticeship in Management in April 2023 with the National College of Education. 

Ms Nicholson is interested in SEND provision and recently completed a Level 2 qualification in Autism and is currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) which she started in November 2023.

Ms Mensah - Assistant Headteacher

Ms Mensah is an Assistant Headteacher in charge of Leadership and Engagement at Chislehurst School for Girls. She graduated from Queen Mary University of London with an undergraduate and a postgraduate master's degree. She started her teaching career in SEND in a college for adults with SPMLD, where she worked for two years. She joined Chislehurst School for Girls in 2008 and has since taken on various roles, such as Head of Department, Head of Year and Head of Faculty.

Her current role involves working closely with the Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Forder on the pupil premium strategy, leading on all forms of student leadership including the House system, prefects and the Head Student Team, being the designated teacher for LAC and supporting the Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Hodgson with the running of the detention system. Ms Mensah is passionate about developing the potential of every student and staff member at the school.

Ms Singer - Acting Assistant Headteacher

Ms Singer took her first degree in History with French at Christ Church University where she achieved at 2:1.  She then worked briefly in journalism at the Sunderland Echo as a reporter, having trained at the London School of Journalism.  After achieving a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, she continued her studies taking a Master's degree in History education, specialising in the teaching of the Holocaust and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in schools.  Ms Singer also spent time studying Holocaust Education and Jewish History at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem with the Holocaust Educational Trust.   She has drawn on her studies throughout her career, leading many initiatives to improve cultural understanding and discourse.

In her most recent post as Assistant Headteacher, Ms Singer has worked to embed strong Personal Development at Chislehurst, focusing on building Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for all and creating an environment where students with English as an additional language can thrive and where refugee students can feel supported and nurtured.  Ms Singer also has overall responsibility for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education including Relationships and Sex Education and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education.

Ms Singer has worked as an examiner for AQA History and has previously been involved in  teacher training.  She also worked as part of the Guidance Team, leading the pastoral care and academic performance of students across different key stages.  This has led to improved attendance and progress scores at GCSE.

Ms L Gulczynski - Assistant Headteacher  

Ms Gulczynski undertook her first degree at the University of Westminster where she studied Psychology, before training to become a teacher with Bromley School's Collegiate in 2008. She has since worked in pastoral roles as a Head of Year and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. 

She subsequently studied for her second degree, a masters degree in Education Leadership and Management, qualifying in 2022 from the University of Portsmouth.

Ms Gulczynski is currently studying for her NPQSL alongside her role as Designated Safeguarding Lead and Assistant Headteacher. She currently teaches Psychology A Level alongside other social communications subjects. Ms Gulczynski is an active member of the local professional community having attended and recently delivered training at the Bromley Mental Health Leads forum, as well as across The Trust for Safeguarding.