Dame Helen Hyde
Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE)
"Be the change you wish to see in the world"
- Gandhi
"A nation is strong when it cares for the weak
It becomes rich when it cares for the poor
It becomes invulnerable when it cares for the vulnerable
That is what makes a nation great"
- Jonathan Sacks
Dame Helen Hyde
ABOUT
Dame Helen Hyde DBE left Watford Grammar School for Girls after 29 years as the Headmistress. She was a recognised national leader and coached and mentored a number of new headteachers and leadership teams.
She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to national state education and Holocaust Education (2013) and received an honorary doctorate from the University Hertfordshire (2018)
She gave up her headship as she felt she could no longer be a bystander. She had to take action to help and support others, for social justice no matter what race, colour or religion. She tries to challenge and encourage others to be active, to be an upstander and to work to improve knowledge and the life chances of others.
Education Advisor
MENTORING EDUCATIONALISTS
After having led a large and highly successful secondary school (academy) I now share what I have learnt with others. I am a governor on an Academy Trust Board, I mentor headteachers and senior leaders; and support governing bodies. I talk at teacher training events about the joy of teaching and its importance. While running my own school I was an executive headteacher of another large co-educational school. I assist at the Workshop in Stanmore. I now advise the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust on educational matters. I have been a nationally appointed commissioner on the Holocaust Commission and the Religious Education Commission.
Dame Helen Hyde
"Learning and trying to understand the Holocaust, more recent genocides and refugee issues is important – however what counts – is how we use our knowledge and how we make a difference. Every small step to help another human being no matter what their religion, colour or race is what counts."
Dame Helen Hyde