SHE has taught at the world famous Marlborough College, and is now leading one of country’s top schools.

Sue Hincks is the new headmistress of Bolton School girls’ division.

“I am very proud to be headteacher of one of the country’s leading schools, and I want to raise its profile further, “ said the history and modern languages teacher, who spent seven years at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

“I was quite ambitious, and the headteacher at the school I was at the time said I should apply.”

Now, at the age of just 43, she is at the helm of one of the country’s most successful schools.

But Miss Hincks, originally from North Wales and raised in Guernsey, was close to taking a completely different career path.

Educated in a comprehensive school, she studied at Oxford University, reading history and modern languages in Magdalen College She said: “I had intended to become a lawyer but during a year out at university I went to Millau in France and was a teaching assistant.

“I changed my mind and decided to become a teacher and completed my PGCE at Magdalen.”

Her first posting was at the King’s School, a comprehensive in Peterborough before to moving to the distinguished Marlborough College.

“It had excellent facilities and extra-curricular activities, and I really enjoyed the motivation of the students, although the pupils at Peterborough were very motivated too.

“It was a great opportunity to develop as there was sixth form teaching.”

During her time there she rose through the ranks becoming head of junior scholars and head of French, as well deputy house master of the boys boarding house.

Miss Hincks moved to another co-educational boarding school — Gresham School in Norkfolk — becoming head of department and the girls boarding house It was here she saw the benefits of single sex education as she said the girls in the boarding house did not feel judged on their looks.

Miss Hincks then moved to the independent day school King's Worcester, as deputy head, the first woman in its history to take up the role of second master in the school’s 400 plus year history. But she said progressing her career in independent schools was not a deliberate choice, but that she liked the extra-curricular activities and the flexibility teachers have in the classroom being able to “go beyond the curriculum”.

She said: “It is very important independent schools are not in some bubble. You go into teaching to get the love of your subject across to pupils.”

Miss Hincks has already started writing to local headteachers. She said: “The Leverhulme Foundation is tied up in the Bolton Lads and Girls Club and being part of the community and inviting children in from other schools is part of the Leverhulme Legacy.”

As well as continuing to drive up already excellent exams results, Miss Hincks wants to strengthen the alumni to open up networking opportunities to pupils through internship programmes.

But first things first.

“I have said I will get to know the name of every girl in the school,” said Miss Hincks.

And if she doesn’t, shewill have to buy £100 worth of pot plants for the school!