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Celebrating the GDST Difference – Spring Term highlights
The spring term perfectly captured the ‘GDST Difference’, opening with a powerful celebration of music, sport, energy and teamwork.
We saw resilience at play as Years 6-8 took over Condover Hall for a weekend of netball, adrenaline and unbreakable team spirit; outstanding sporting success, with Howell’s U12, U14 and U16 teams crowned national hockey champions in Wales, and strong performances at the GDST sports rally by all schools across football, gymnastics and netball. We also celebrated our inaugural Health and Wellbeing Festival at Sutton High, reminding our students that looking after their mental and physical health is a superpower in itself.
That same momentum carried across every area throughout the term. At the Royal Academy of Music, hundreds of senior students came together to perform as one voice at GDST Sing!, creating a moment of shared ambition and artistry that will stay with them for years to come.
Meanwhile, at the London School of Economics, 200 aspiring entrepreneurs showcased their ideas with impressive professionalism and poise at our LEAD showcase, proving that confidence, creativity and clarity of thought are already second nature to our students.
The term also saw the Chrystall Carter Debate take place, giving pupils the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, critical thinking and the power of reasoned argument. The debate honours Chrystall Carter, who served the GDST for nine years as Legal Adviser and later as Deputy Secretary until her untimely death in 1999. Widely respected for her integrity, energy and commitment, she was described as “the conscience of the organisation”, a legacy reflected in a competition that celebrates thoughtful debate, courage of conviction and respect for others’ views.
Alongside these standout moments, academic rigour and intellectual curiosity continued to flourish. Our new maths partnership with Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, inspired students to push their thinking further, exploring topics such as game theory, optimisation problem-solving and current developments in AI, brought to life through an energising talk from Yara Kyrychenko, Women of the Future Award winner.
Opportunities also expanded across year groups, including a special day for our junior students. Over 100 Year 6 pupils from across GDST schools came together at the Royal Institution for an inspiring Junior Science Day, designed to spark curiosity early and break down barriers to STEM.
Through hands‑on, collaborative activities, girls had the opportunity to engage with science alongside peers from across the Trust.
The breadth of experiences across sport, the arts, enterprise and leadership serves as a powerful reminder that, at the GDST, girls learn without limits.
