Torchbearers of the past, present and future
Inspirational Alumnae
Founded in 1876 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, South Hampstead High School has always been dedicated to providing an outstanding education for young women. Our alumnae community is packed full of inspirational women, and we are proud to have been part of their journey.
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Baroness Alma Birk
Journalist and Magistrate
Class of 1925. Governor, Journalist, Magistrate and Chairman.
Zeinab Chaudhary
Senior Manager
Class of 2007. Senior Manager at Deloitte and Board Trustee for Scope.
Baroness Cohen of Pimlico
Lawyer
Class of 1958. British lawyer, politician and award winning crime fiction writer.
Rosa Curling
Human Rights Lawyer
Class of 1997. Director and founder of Foxglove, a human rights legal firm.
Amanda Dewinter
Author
Class of 1982. Best selling author and Chair of Governors at South Hampstead High School.
Lilah Fear
Professional Ice Dancer
Class of 2017. 2023 European silver medalist and a five-time British national champion.
Baroness Lynne Featherstone
Politician
Class of 1970. Politician, businesswoman and Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords.
Lara Feigel
Academic
Class of 1998. Professor of Modern Literature and Culture at King's College, London.
Adela Gooch OBE
Adviser and Journalist
Class of 1979. Award winning journalist, writer, strategist and coach.
Wendy Greengross
Counsellor, GP and Writer
Class of 1943. Pioneering counsellor and campaigner for marginalised populations.
Dame Professor Carolyn Hamilton DBE
Barrister
Class of 1970. Barrister specialising in children’s rights.
Patricia Hillebrandt
Economist
Class of 1948. First female Economist employed by a UK building organisation.
Elsie Janner CBE
Social Worker and Magistrate
Class of 1923. Youngest Magistrate to serve in the UK.
Marion Janner OBE
Campaigner and Entrepreneur
Class of 1977. Founder of Star Wards mental health charity.
Anne Karpf
Writer, Sociologist and Journalist
Class of 1968. Professor and Writer of culture articles and books.
Jenny Kleeman
Journalist, Author and Broadcaster
Class of 1997. Accomplished TV and Radio presenter, and author.
Jacky Klein
Art Historian and Writer
Class of 1995. Contemporary Art Historian, Writer and Broadcaster.
Reina Lawrence
Lawyer and Politician
Class of 1890. The first female councillor in London and one of the first women in England to achieve a Law degree.
Joanna MacGregor CBE
Pianist
Class of 1977. Concert pianist and Professor at the University of London.
Harriet Mathews CMG
Director General
Class of 1992. Director General, Africa and the Americas, at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Professor Jenny Mindell
Professor
Class of 1974. Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology.
Aries Moross
Graphic Designer
Class of 2004. Graphic Designer, Artist, Illustrator and Art Director.
Baroness Neuberger DBE
Rabbi
Class of 1968. The second woman in the UK to be ordained as a Rabbi; member of the House of Lords.
Sophie Newton
Chief Operating Officer
Class of 2007. Award winning leader in workplace equality in the technology sector.
Elizabeth Perelman
Principal Private Secretary
Class of 1998. Director General of the Cabinet Office.
Karen Pollock CBE
Chief Executive
Class of 1992. Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust.
Sarah Sackman
Minister of State
Class of 2003. MP for Finchley and Golders Green, and Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services.
Jennifer Temkin CBE
Lawyer and Professor
Class of 1966. Criminal Justice Lawyer and Legal Process Professor.
Dr Jess Wade BEM
Physicist
Class of 2007. Physicist at Imperial College London; equality campaigner.
