The school is delighted to be celebrating a truly historic moment with the announcement that Miss Emma Kilburn will become its next Headteacher.

Miss Kilburn, who takes up the role in September 2026, is a former student of the school and currently serves as Senior Deputy Headteacher. It is the first time since The Tiffin Girls' School was founded in 1880 that a former student has been appointed to the post — and also the first time the role has gone to an internal candidate.

The news was shared by Chair of Governors Sarah Beeching, another alumna of the school, following an extensive recruitment process.

In her announcement, she said:

“Following a rigorous two-day selection process involving multiple panels of experts and external advisors, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Kilburn as our new Headteacher, effective 1 September 2026. The field of candidates was exceptionally high-calibre, and we are confident that Ms Kilburn is the right leader to take our school forward.”

Miss Kilburn joined the school in September 2016 as Deputy Head and was promoted to Senior Deputy Headteacher in January 2023, becoming a key part of the school’s leadership team. Before returning to her former school, she spent fourteen years at Haydon School in Pinner, leading the Modern Foreign Languages department before moving into senior leadership as Deputy Head in 2008.

Ms Beeching closed by encouraging the whole community to share in the celebrations:

“I hope you will all join me in congratulating Ms Kilburn on this notable achievement.”

This milestone appointment is sure to be a proud moment for the entire Tiffin Girls' community — especially for alumnae, as one of their own prepares to lead the school into its next chapter.