It is with immense sadness that I have to report the untimely death of Dru James. She passed away on Friday 6^th August 2021. Dru was a consummate professional, impressive and astute; furthermore, she was warm, kind and generous. She was an English specialist and passed on her passion for literature to countless students over her teaching years.  Dru was Headmistress at Wolverhampton Girls' High School before taking up the Headship here at King Edward VI Camp Hill Girls. Her energy and drive to make this the best school in the West Midlands was remarkable. She facilitated building projects to improve the site including IT, the Hub, the sports hall and renovation of the Library and the dining room. Her personal commitment to collaboration with Camp Hill Boys ensured a very positive working relationship for the benefit of both schools. A rigorous approach to the curriculum meant that the school gained specialist status for Mathematics and Computing, and for Languages. Dru’s love of the Arts always shone through and became integral to the heart of the school, she understood that education was about more than just academic outcomes. Dru had a quiet but really great sense of fun, whether it was dressing as Professor Trelawney for House Festival or riding the Log Flume at Alton Towers for our “Grand Day Out” as the whole school celebrated 150 years. 

I will remember Dru as a colleague, mentor and friend who will be very much missed and our thoughts are with her family at this time. I will end with some lines from one of Dru’s favourite poems;

“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”                                       Robert Frost

Linda Johnson, Headteacher