Being a Head can be a lonely job, balancing the need to remain ‘in charge’ with moments when you are wondering how to keep yet one more plate spinning. I was privileged to be mentored by Clarissa for over a year and can say, without fear of contradiction, there can be no one better suited to providing the guidance, motivation, and emotional support one needs in a leadership position.

It is a rare person who, after an illustrious career, can still remember what it was like to be starting out and to listen and empathise without judgment or a hint of fatigue. A mentoring session with Clarissa feels like a combination of good counselling and focussed inspiration. Eminently practical, insightful and great fun, every session left its mark and I still use the notes and reflections from our discussions.

[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.

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

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.

Clarissa Farr was the doyenne of headmistresses in the early 21st century.

Wise, courageous, and compassionate, a true leader from a world where many heads struggle to lead

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