Making of Us

Clarissa Farr is an expert in education and leadership, a non-executive director and a writer. As High Mistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School for eleven years, Clarissa led one of the country’s top academic schools, also becoming a regular correspondent for The Times letters page and a commentator on wider educational issues. She now works in international education. A member of the board of the African Gifted Foundation, which is transforming the lives of African girls in maths and science, Clarissa is also a Governor of The Royal Ballet School and a Fellow of Winchester College. As a Trustee of the British Museum, she chairs the Friends’ Advisory Council, which represents the Museum’s 75,000 members around the world.

‘In 2017, after more than 10 years at St Paul’s Farr decided to leave. This elegantly written book shares the wisdom she deployed there and the lessons she learnt’ Sunday Times‘[Farr] has certainly shown her talent here as the teller of a good story … part memoir, part love letter to the mad, wonderful world of schools and school leadership, Farr brings to life her own experiences and interweaves them with wider reflections upon education in the UK today… a warm and witty book.’ Times Educational Supplement ‘An urgent call to improve the way we help young women prepare for this complex world written by someone with oodles of experience and a load of passion for good education’ George Osborne‘This is a crucial book of the moment: the best informed education insider laying out how schools should work. Farr’s writing is graceful and considered: she's honest about the highs and lows of her own career, as well as unspoken topics such as dealing with over-protective parents. An insightful, useful book: excellent for parents and teaching professionals alike.’ David Bodanis, bestselling author of E=mc2‘Clarissa Farr was the doyen of headmistresses in the early 21st century. Wise, courageous, and compassionate, a true leader from a world where many heads struggle to lead’ Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice Chancellor, University of Buckingham'In this topical and moving book Clarissa Farr bridges the gap between a traditional education and the 21st century internet revolution. With an astounding lightness of touch that is only available to a true master Clarissa looks at the importance of school, community and education … And somehow manages to guide us towards thinking about helping our girls find an existential resilience. With the onslaught of increased mental illness and a rapidly changing and challenged world they are going to need it' Julie Lynn-Evans, author of What About the Children