Victoria Derby has been appointed acting principal of Saintfield High School for the 2026-2027 academic year. She assumes the role while Sarah-Lucy Hynds is on secondment as a system leader partner with the Department of Education.

Derby has been at Saintfield High School for more than 20 years. She has held a number of leadership and pastoral positions, including head of religious studies, head of years 8, 9 and 10, head of transfer and induction, senior teacher and teacher tutor. She has been vice-principal since 2016.

A graduate of Stranmillis University College, Derby holds a master's degree in pastoral care. In a statement, she said she considers it a privilege to lead the school during Hynds's secondment. She said she is passionate about educating young people and wants every pupil to feel known, cared for and supported.

Derby said she looks forward to maintaining academic and pastoral standards and continuing to develop partnerships with parents, carers and the wider community.

Saintfield High School recently recorded its strongest GCSE results in a decade, with 83 percent of pupils achieving a strong set of Key Stage 4 qualifications.