Girls' Schools Association

As the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) celebrates its 150th year, ImpactEd Evaluation and the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) partnered to ask all those involved in girls' education what their experience of girls’ schools is. The research sought to discover: - What are the benefits of single-sex girls’ schools through the eyes of those who are involved with them? - To what extent do girls' schools equip students for future success, both professional and personal? - What areas of improvement could girls' schools focus on to better prepare students for their future endeavours? Donna Stevens, the Girls’ Schools Association Chief Executive, says: “This research gives voice to every generation, providing the fullest expression of the female experience in girls’ schools from the youngest of girls in school to the oldest of alumnae. I’m proud to bring together all these voices and viewpoints from every kind of girls’ school, unifying state and independent girls’ schools’ experiences. The Girls’ Schools Association has always championed young women and places of learning to serve their interests best. In our 150th year it is right our association continues to examine and push for ever better educations for girls, so that they can have the best opportunities in the future.” Full article on the research available here: https://lnkd.in/eEMHmtXn

🏆 GSA’s Woman of the Week 🏆 Over Christmas, as carols and choirs filled the air, we were delighted to see Anna, a student at King's High School, Warwick, crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year. Her outstanding performance at the start of the festive season was a wonderful addition to the season’s celebrations and a well-deserved recognition of her talent and dedication. Anna’s success highlights the power of music to bring people together and inspire others. It also reminds us of the wealth of musical talent nurtured in our schools. With the GSA Choir of the Year Competition Finals just around the corner, we can’t wait to hear more of our students’ voices in full song, as they showcase their passion and skill. Congratulations, Anna – you are truly one to watch! 👏 Donna Stevens Rachel Donati Alex Hutchinson

✨ Standing on Strong Shoulders ✨ In a recent article in GSA’s News & Views, Issy, from The Ladies' College, Guernsey, shared a heartfelt reflection on the power of inter-generational influence. She wrote about the resilience of her grandmother, whose passions were curtailed by the expectations of her time, and of how she has found her own voice, confidence, and opportunities, today. A thoughtful account, it reminds us of the strength and inspiration young women draw from those who came before them, and that young women continue to play a central role forging better life chances for future generations. 📖 Read Issy’s full story on our website: https://lnkd.in/ezNEgv_e Rachel Donati Donna Stevens Alex Hutchinson

🌟 Step into 2025 with us! 🌟 We’re excited about another year ahead that will empower girls, inspire and grow our community, and super-charge the careers of educational leaders. In the first half of 2025, we will: 👉 Welcome more new Heads into our thriving member network at our inspiring New Heads events 👉 Champion girls' creativity, teamwork, and athletic talents through Esports, choir, investment, writing, and netball competitions, and open doors to unique learning opportunities through career webinars 👉 Support Heads and Senior School Leaders at curated events like the Junior Heads Conference and Summer Briefing 👉 Deliver the best inclusion practices in our schools through excellent professional development courses that support neurodivergent girls and considered pastoral care 👉 Spearhead and commission on-going research into girls’ schools and girls’ education Together, we are set once again to make 2025 another year to celebrate every young woman’s achievement, and one that will create a lasting and positive impact in the world. Donna Stevens Rachel Donati Alex Hutchinson

Listen to our Education Corner Podcast 🎙️ interview with Mrs. Donna Stevens Chief Executive of The Girls' Schools Association (GSA) In this episode, we featured Mrs. Donna Stevens, Chief Executive of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), which represents the heads of over one hundred all-girls’ schools across the UK. Donna, who joined the GSA in 2021, shared details of her background, the GSA’s ethos and legacy, and how the GSA continues to advocate for girls’ education both nationally and internationally. Donna Stevens’ path to the GSA was far from conventional. “I did a Maths degree at Oxford and got swept into the City of London as a new graduate in 2002, initially working in financial services and then into more general management consultancy.” she shared. After nearly a decade, she transitioned into roles that better aligned with her passions. She explained: “I worked for a few smaller startups, charities to begin with, then on to the Independent Schools Council and more recently to the Girls’ Schools Association.” To find out more, you can listen to the podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube. 👏🏻👏🏽👏🏿 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eamXa54t Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHJcWw-y #educationchoicesmagazine #educationcornerpodcast #education #choices #independentschools #equality #diversity #inclusion #belonging #EDIB #girlseducation #equalityforgirls #GirlsSchoolsAssociation #girlsschools #GSA #everyonesinvited #advocacy #empoweringirls #innovation #campaigning

🎬 "Men can be feminists too, it’s about creating opportunity in a society that still isn’t equal." – Richard Tillett, Principal of Queen's College, London. This clip from 'Captains of their Ships’, a short film created as part of our 150th celebrations, highlights the vital role men play in supporting equality and empowering young women to be proud of who they are. 🌟 Watch the full film and join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/ev84U6av Donna Stevens Rachel Donati Alex Hutchinson

🎬 "There’s still work to do to ensure every girl’s voice is heard." – the words of GSA Chief Executive Donna Stevens, featured in our short film ‘Captains of their Ships’. Created to mark 150 years of the Girls' Schools Association, the film highlights the ongoing importance of girls’ schools in empowering young women and amplifying their voices. 🌟 Watch the full film and find out more about the classroom resources we’ve developed here: https://lnkd.in/ev84U6av Donna Stevens Rachel Donati Alex Hutchinson

🎬 ‘Growing up in this school, I found confidence in my culture, my people, and my roots.’ Girls' schools empower young women to embrace who they are, pursue their dreams, and lead with resilience, no matter what. This year, we celebrate 150 years of fostering leadership, academic confidence, and community in girls' schools. Discover the stories that make this milestone extraordinary in our short film ‘Captains of their Ships’. You can watch the full film and find out more here: https://lnkd.in/ev84U6av Rachel Donati Donna Stevens Alex Hutchinson

🎬 "I might want to be. . .” As this young GSA pupil so beautifully shows, life holds endless possibilities. With 2025 bringing a new year full of hope and opportunity, we celebrate girls’ schools inspiring young women to dream boldly and achieve their ambitions, no matter how big. Whether it’s leading a nation, exploring the ocean, or caring for the world around us, the future is theirs to shape. 🌟 Watch the full film celebrating 150 years of empowering girls to be anything they want to be here: https://lnkd.in/ev84U6av Rachel Donati Donna Stevens Alex Hutchinson Marina Gardiner Legge Oxford High School GDST

This year marks 150 years of the Girls’ Schools Association, celebrating a rich legacy of empowering young women through education. In this clip from ‘Captains of Their Ships’, a film created to mark our anniversary, Ruth Cousins, GSA alumna of James Allen's Girls' School, reflects on the transformative power of girls’ schools. It’s part of a series of inspiring moments we’ll be sharing over the holidays, taken from the film and featuring voices from across our community. 🎥 Watch the full film here: https://lnkd.in/ev84U6av Donna Stevens Rachel Donati Alex Hutchinson