Newsletter Brighton & Hove High School GDSt
Issue 30 June 2015
Dear Parents and Girls,
Gender stereotypes still influence perceptions of many jobs and careers, potentially causing girls to curtail their ambitions. That was the message from the Annual Conference of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) which I attended in London on Wednesday. “Do a search online for images of chief executives, or surgeons, or judges,” said Helen Fraser, CEO of the GDST, “and you don’t see many women. Do a similar search for images of nurses, or child-minders, or personal assistants, and it will come as no surprise that there aren’t many men to be seen. These sorts of stereotypes permeate our national and global culture, and children can’t help but subconsciously absorb them.” I believe that Brighton and Hove High School is perfectly placed to nurture our girls’ interests and ambitions in a safe and supportive environment. From early on in Junior School we highlight the achievements of notable women in history, science and maths to show our girls that anything is possible. Throughout the school we continue to expand our work related learning programme, engaging with our parents, governors and alumnae as inspiring women whose career paths are hugely motivating and enlightening for our girls. We enthusiastically encourage girls into STEM careers and offer them networking opportunities wherever we can. It’s important that we consciously challenge assumptions around women’s careers. Raising awareness of different jobs at an early age enables girls to imagine themselves in a full range of roles, and not limit their horizons too early or too readily. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Circles of Influence – enhancing employability and creating a culture of networking’. Delegates heard from speakers including Sacha Romanovitch, CEO-elect of Grant Thornton UK LLP and a panel of GDST heads and students, including our Head Girl at BHHS, Mary Kelada – all of whom addressed the issue and its implications for girls, women and wider society. Girls should feel that all doors are open to them. If they feel they can achieve anything they set their mind to before they come into contact with unhelpful stereotypes, they’ll be less likely to be swayed by them. I’m proud that our school is part of a Trust that so publically encourages girls to write their own rules when it comes to careers. Finally, you might be interested to hear Helen Fraser being interviewed by Adrian Chiles on BBC Radio 5 Live following coverage in this week’s Daily Telegraph where Helen commented that girls should be more ‘disruptive’ if they want to get noticed and succeed once they enter the workplace. An interesting thought! (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xqb4g) Have a good weekend.
Jennifer Smith
Good Luck to Josephine Grumitt who is attempting to swim the Arun Ironman 3.8km swim, from Arundel to Littlehampton, on Saturday. This is part of her fundraising for CRED and she has been in training since September. This is her second year of participating in this event. http://rawenergypursuits.co.uk/?p=3951 We will let you know how she does! 2014-15 Issue 30: 1