International Women’s Day

Eighteen Old Girls returned to Bolton School to celebrate International Women’s Day. The keynote speaker for the morning’s assembly was Melanie Doherty, a dentist, naval captain and Chief of Staff to the Surgeon General, the highest-ranking medical officer in the UK.

Melanie began with her main takeaways: analyse the situation and pick your battles. She then circled back to give an overview of her career. She joined the Army after training as a dentist at Sheffield University. She said that the military is good for a portfolio career and opportunities to travel: her job has involved training and competing in downhill skiing and two-man bobsleigh, completing three Masters degrees, and doing dentistry work around the world.

Melanie talked in depth about competing in the Biathlon for the British Army team. She was one of the top twelve at the Army Skiing Championships, qualifying for the men’s team: on this occasion, an advocate fought for her right to compete alongside men at that level. She called this a ‘defining moment’ and said, when she collected her prizes, ‘everyone recognised that I’d done it … I could compete on an even peg’. She went on to speak about being one of the first three women selected to attempt the Commando Course for entry to work with the Royal Marines. She passed all of the initial requirements, but was recalled by her commanding officer. As other women were going forward, she felt she could step back to continue her dentistry career instead. Finally, she talked about how her time at Bolton School gave her valuable education skills and the ability to talk to anyone. Involvement in school sport taught her to be a team player, and that the team is only as strong as the weakest link. Melanie returned to her conclusions and advised that to make big changes, it’s important to be strategic. Things change and it’s not just about you, but about the bigger world. Finally, she recommended a book: ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates.

Earlier in the morning, a group of girls from Years 12 and 13 interested in studying dentistry or joining the army or navy enjoyed an informal breakfast chat with Melanie in the Head’s Study. The day continued with careers sessions for Years 9 and 10. In the Sutcliffe Studio, girls met with alumnae to ask questions and learn about soft skills from these inspirational women. In the Theatre, four alumnae gave more in-depth presentations: Alex Aspinall, Global Social Media Manager at Belmond; Stella Pickford, Director UK Business Planning at Procter and Gamble; Rebecca Richards, Senior Policy Advisor at UK Research and Innovation, specialising in Research Financial Sustainability; Amanda Nuttall, Partner at Keoghs. At lunchtime, Year 12 came to the Great Hall for careers ‘speed dating’: these mini mentoring sessions allowed the girls to gain an inside perspective on various careers. The day closed with a set of PSHEE sessions themed around International Women’s Day. Year 7 heard from Natalie Armer (Senior Lecturer at Manchester Medical School) about the challenges girls overcome and how women support each other. Year 8 enjoyed an interactive workshop with Stella Pickford focussed on personality types. Chloe Granger (Director at Crosby Granger Architects) addressed Year 11 about stereotypes and the skills women bring to their working lives. Year 13 visualised their ambitions with Melanie Doherty. In addition to the day’s careers-focused sessions, former staff returned to school and joined the speakers for lunch. This was a lovely opportunity for everyone to catch up with the visiting alumnae.

RACHAEL ACTON

née Ainscough (Class of 2011) - Chief Executive at Ainscough Group

ALEXANDRA ASPINALL

(Class of 2012) - Global Social Media Manager at Belmond

CHARLOTTE BENJAMIN

née Whalley (Class of 1993) - Director of Legal and Governance Services at Middlesbrough Council

REBECCA BRAYSHAW

née Hayton (Class of 1997) - Director at Umbrella World

CHERIE CUNNINGHAM

(Class of 2005) - Channel Director (Dave) at UK TV

KAREN DIGGLE

(Class of 1976) - Managing Director at Chamberlain Doors

MELANIE DOHERTY

née Jones (Class of 1989) - Chief of Staff to Surgeon General at Defence Medical Services

VICTORIA GUEST

née Robinson (Class of 1999) - Headteacher at Lostock Primary School

CHLOE GRANGER

née Maher (Class of 1998) - Director at Crosby Granger Architects

VICTORIA HODGKINS

née Heaton (Class of 2000) - Head of Service at Trafford Council

CHARLOTTE HOLDEN

(Class of 2014) - Statistician, Department for Education (Civil Service)

AMANDA NUTTALL

née Pinkerton (Class of 1991) - Partner at Keoghs

STELLA PICKFORD

née Selva (Class of 1999) - Director UK Business Planning at Procter and Gamble

REBECCA RICHARDS

(Class of 2013) - Senior Policy Advisor at UK Research & Innovation

RADHIKA SHARMA

(Class of 2015) - Mechanical Engineer at British Antarctic Survey NATALIE ARMER (parent) - Senior Lecturer at Manchester Medical School

AMANDA GRUNDY

née Killelea (parent) - Feature Writer at Daily Mirror