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Our dedicated senior leadership team is committed to guiding students through their educational journey. Led by Hannah Helliar, this experienced team oversees all aspects of delivering our strategy.
Of course, they couldn't achieve this without our brilliant teaching and support staff, as well as the expert guidance of our Governing Body.
Head
"I am excited about the opportunity to lead this wonderful school to continued success, building upon its already strong foundation."
Hannah Helliar was appointed Head of St Mary's School, Cambridge in July 2024. Not only is Hannah an exceptional educator, her background also encompasses senior leadership positions in admissions, marketing, and strategic national and international partnerships.
Educated at Brasenose College, University of Oxford, where she read Ancient and Modern History, Hannah’s journey has been marked by a commitment to educational excellence and leadership.
Hannah’s passion for education, coupled with her leadership acumen and dedication to holistic development, resonates deeply with her mission for global learning and leadership for girls. As Head, Hannah is poised to inspire and guide the future generation of young women at St Mary's School, leading them towards unlocking their potential across the diverse paths they choose to pursue in the future.
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Bursar
It’s a milestone year for St Mary’s, with several capital projects either underway or in the pipeline that will transform the school’s learning facilities for future generations of students. I’m enthusiastic to be a part of the St Mary’s community and to help the school deliver on its growth and development ambitions.
It’s a milestone year for St Mary’s, with several capital projects either underway or in the pipeline that will transform the school’s learning facilities for future generations of students. I’m enthusiastic to get started, become a part of the St Mary’s community and help the school deliver on its growth and development ambitions.
Faisal Babar joined St Mary’s in 2022, from St John's College School where he was School Bursar for seven years.
A language graduate (French and Spanish), Faisal began his career in 1998 as an Internal Auditor at Cadbury Schweppes PLC – before progressing to the roles of Financial Analyst and Business Process Specialist.
Before joining St John’s, Faisal worked for the John Lewis Partnership for eight years. Roles included Finance & Systems Manager; Marketing Manager for Financial Services; and Branch Development Manager.
Head of Juniors
I am deeply committed to ensuring that St Mary’s Junior School continues to be a place where girls feel truly known and valued, and where they are empowered to use their voice with confidence as they prepare for the opportunities and responsibilities of the wider world.
With over 25 years of experience in the independent education sector, Louisa brings extensive teaching and leadership expertise to her role as Head. Before joining St Mary’s in 2023, she spent more than two decades at the Perse Pelican School, where she contributed towards key academic, pastoral, and co‑curricular developments and served on their leadership team for 15 years.
Louisa studied at Homerton College, Cambridge, graduating with a BEd (Hons) with QTS, before later achieving an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management. She is also a Level 7 Senior Leader and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. A committed advocate for evidence‑based pedagogy, she has conducted educational research and maintains a strong focus on approaches that enhance classroom practice.
Enthusiastic and passionate about learning, Louisa is dedicated to maintaining high academic standards while fostering a nurturing, safe, and joyful school environment.
Senior Deputy
St Mary’s is a dynamic, nurturing school, with an outstanding track record and an ambitious focus on High Performance Learning. It’s an exciting time at St Mary’s and to be working to empower, educate and inspire our students.
Dr Wallace joined St Mary's in 2022 from The Leys School in Cambridge, where he was Head of Mathematics and held integral roles in various whole-school strategy groups and advisory committees.
At The Leys, Dr Wallace was also a form-master in Sixth Form and tutor in the Sixth Form girls' boarding house, as well as President of Common Room. Prior to The Leys, Dr Wallace was based at Radley College where he taught mathematics, undertook EPQ and Oxbridge supervision, and ran the Football and Athletics clubs.
Between 2002 and 2010 Dr Wallace was a Lecturer at the University of Oxford, where he taught undergraduate and postgraduate Economics and was a tutor at St Catherine's College and Lady Margaret Hall.
Deputy Head - Pastoral and Boarding
I always remind our students that they are valued because they are unique and that as such, our school is a different place because they are here with us.
I have always felt very lucky to work in a school where the girls and staff value what the school stands for so much. They don't necessarily know it when they arrive, but they certainly understand it when they take it into the world with them at the age of 18. I feel that there is something almost undefinable about our community which is fundamental to what makes us different.
Aodain Clover is the Pastoral Deputy Head at St Marys Senior School. What that means on a day-to-day basis is that Aodain looks after girls with the help and guidance of a wonderful team of tutors, Heads of Year and dedicated support staff such as the nurses and counsellors.
Aodain first joined the school’s RE department 21 years ago and since that time has been Head of Years 7, 11 and our Sixth Form before becoming Pastoral Deputy Head. This means she is in charge of everything from attendance and punctuality, to uniform and discipline through our dedicated and keen staff. She is also the Senior School's Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure the staff and girls are aware of important matters surrounding safeguarding issues.
Aodain says she always felt as if she was coming home, when she first arrived here in 1998 because she had first met St Mary's girls when she was 16 on her very first trip to volunteer in Lourdes when many of them became her friends. To then come to work in a community which values each individual in the way we try to do, is really important for her as a teacher, she says.
Deputy Head - Data and Operations
There is nowhere else I would even consider sending my daughters but St Mary’s School, Cambridge...
"There is nowhere else I would even consider sending my daughters but St Mary’s. They are happy, known and cherished as individuals and challenged to be the best they can be in all they do. What more could a parent ask for!"
After gaining a first class Mathematics Degree from Manchester University, Emma attended Oxford University to complete her PGCE teacher training. Over the past 20 years, she has taught in all boys, co-educational and all girls environments. Prior to joining St Mary’s School, she was Head of Mathematics for eight years.
At St Mary’s Emma has progressed to become our Assistant Head: Director of Studies and Academic Registrar. She enjoys all aspects of her varied, challenging and fulfilling roles, which all share a common theme of placing students at the forefront of everything she does.
“We feel that the leadership of the school is outstanding and has a far-reaching influence on the day to day experiences of our daughter.”
Parent survey 2019
“Very glad we chose St Mary's because it has really nurtured their wellbeing, at a time when teenagers face more challenges than ever.”
Parent survey