A former Olympic rower is the new headmistress at Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls.

The high-achieving Caroline Pascoe was a member of the GB women's rowing squad at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and an officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, and also worked in the Himalayas, leading high-altitude trekking expeditions for schools and other organisations to that region.

Currently the headmistress of Truro High School for Girls, a day and boarding school for girls aged three to 18, Mrs Pascoe will take over the headship of HMSG from Helen Davy in April 2014.

Mrs Pascoe graduated with a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Bristol and was subsequently awarded an MSc in Educational Management and Leadership from the University of Leicester.

She gained extensive teaching experience, initially as a Physics teacher and subsequently as Head of Science and Head of Year, before progressing to headship.

She has worked in both the maintained and independent sectors, day and boarding, and in both co-educational and girls' schools.

Sheridan Swallow, chairman of the governors, said: "We very much look forward to welcoming Mrs Pascoe to HMSG next April.

"She was selected from an impressive field of candidates and we are confident that she will have the vision and dynamic leadership qualities to build on the strong foundations put in place by Mrs Davy."

Mrs Pascoe (pictured) confirming her new appointment, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining HMSG, a school that champions all-round development of each girl.

"Helen Davy will be handing over a very positive school with a growing reputation that I will strive to build upon, nurture and strengthen.

"HMSG is set in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. My husband, son and I are hugely excited about joining the family of Haberdashers' Schools and the community of Monmouth."