Lesley Moody

Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) has appointed Lesley Moody as chair of its governing board, succeeding Patricia Alexander who has spent seven years as chair and 11 as a board member.

NHSG is the only Northeast school of the Girls’ Day School Trust

Moody has been vice chair of the school’s board. She is the managing director of AES Digital Solutions and a past president of North East Chamber of Commerce. She has previously been a member of several school boards.

Moody said: “Having been a governor at NHSG for five years with Patricia as chair, I know I am stepping into big shoes and am very much looking forward to taking up the mantle of supporting the school as it goes from strength to strength. I’ll be chairing a board of very committed governors with a wealth of experience and expertise and I am looking forward to working with them, NHSG’s head, Amanda Hardie, and the senior team as it delivers on its vision to champion excellence in all-girl education and provide an exceptional education for girls in the Northeast.”

Hardie commented: “I have been working closely with both Lesley and Patricia Alexander as we make this transition. I’d like to take the opportunity also to thank Patricia for her dedication, wisdom and her support as she helped steer NHSG over the last 11 years; she really has been phenomenal, and I know that her legacy is in such good hands with Lesley at the helm.”

Alexander said: “I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to advise and support NHSG and in turn the many pupils who benefit from the outstanding education that is offered at the school. Working with both the Girls’ Day School Trust, and the NHSG senior team, we have successfully delivered a merger of two schools, a major building project, and negotiated the challenges of Covid during my tenure.

“The highlights for me have been playing a role in shaping the future for the amazing pupils at NHSG, and I have particularly enjoyed appointing the head girl and sixth form leadership teams each year. And in the final year of my tenure, I could not have been more proud of the school’s performance in its inspection and the subsequent publication of the ISI inspection report, which was a genuine reflection of all that is excellent at NHSG. I look forward to seeing NHSG continue to flourish over the coming years. I have no doubt Lesley will be a hugely impactful and successful chair.”