International Coalition of Girls’ Schools — June 2024 Conference
Over 20 colleagues from across the GDST – representing the largest school group in attendance – travelled to Baltimore for the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools June 2024 conference. There were over 600 educators and advocates for girls’ schools across 12 countries in attendance and we were delighted that our expert speakers were given the opportunity to impart their own insights and knowledge about girls’ education and the evolving educational landscape.
The importance of roles models
A common theme throughout many of the conference presentations, including keynotes from Marin Alsop (the first female conductor of the Last Night of the Proms) and Annie Jean-Baptise (Director of Product Inclusion & Equity at Google), was the importance of role models.
These role models need not necessarily be those who have garnered status or praise (or both) as a result of being successful, the presenters variously told us. Equally important are the people that our pupils encounter in everyday life such as their peers and teachers. These internal and external role models help to shore up girls’ sense of belonging, which can often be tested in their present lives, or in the future – where they are the only women in the room.




Making an impact – GDST leaders share their expertise
We spoke to three GDST Heads, Emily Codling (Head at Bromley High School), Annabel Davies (Head at Croydon High School) and Alison Sefton (Head at Norwich High School for Girls) who came away from the conference with a rekindled passion to support the girls in their schools to learn without limits, so that they can go on to lead lives without limits.
Emily’s key takeaway was the idea that ‘conversation culture’ in a school is vital for its success, where voices are heard and ideas challenged. She is now committed to reviewing how to push for inclusive conversations and identify obstacles to conversation.
Emily and Annabel were equally inspired by a quote from Marin Aslop’s keynote speech: ”Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.” The reminder of the unequal distribution of opportunity across the world motivated Emily to explore more outreach avenues for Bromley High to truly fulfil the GDST mission of reaching as many girls as possible. For Annabel, this means ensuring that every girl at Croydon High has the best opportunities in all areas to go outside of their comfort zone and reach their full potential.
Alison’s key takeaway was an innovative approach from St Clement’s School in Toronto to representing an individual’s Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) accommodations visually so that those working with them can better understand what is required and not needed for them. The approach is rooted in the fact that ASD presents very differently in girls.
The three Heads delivered a breakout session at the conference, each with an inspiring message for other educators.
“Adolescence is a period of creativity and a time of experimentation.” — Bromley High School
Emily Codling’s ‘Raising girls through a Middle School Programme’ focused on how Bromley High’s Middle school launch has helped students to navigate new and additional factors that girls aged 9-13 have to cope with today including ‘polarising politics’, ‘explosive shifts in technology’ and ‘recovering from a global pandemic’.
“If you can’t see it, you don’t think you can do it.” — Croydon High School
Annabel Davies’ ‘Sorry Not Sorry: Unapologetically Push Boundaries’, focused on what she passionately believes is ”the responsibility of educators of girls, to teach girls that their opinions matter and ensure that they have confidence in themselves to put these opinions forward.” She spoke about unapologetically pushing boundaries and the importance of role models.
Alison Sefton’s ‘No Head is an Island’ focused on the importance of leading whilst drawing on the expertise of others. She says that ”leadership has been described as a lonely place to be but it shouldn’t be lonely in terms of strategy setting and follow through.” She also praised the benefits of being part of both GDST and ICGS networks ”which both give opportunities to collaborate and learn, not only between Heads, but between students and staff alike.”
“If at first you don’t succeed, call it Version 1.0.” — Putney High School
James Mutton, Putney High School’s Deputy Head of Digital Innovation and Curriculum talked about the challenges girls face in Computer Science and suggested how these can be reduced in a positive school setting.
It’s safe to say that our incredible GDST representatives and everyone who attended this annual global gathering of girls’ educators came away with bountiful knowledge and a renewed passion for providing all girls and young women with outstanding education.
The GDST research fellows
The conference afforded unique opportunity for us to hear from GDST research fellows who are currently part of the Global Action Research Collective (GARC). Focused on girls’ education, it is the world’s first action research programme that engages girls’ school educators from around the world in informed, collaborative, and disciplined, action research.
Discover more about the GARC programme
The GDST Difference
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is the UK’s leading family of 25 girls’ schools including 23 independent schools and two academies. In March 2023, the GDST published ‘The GDST Difference’ – a booklet compiling our own research, and analysis of the findings – setting out to break down why GDST schools and all-girl learning environments can offer the best start in life for young women.
Discover more about The GDST Difference