Mrs Giblin’s Monthly Musing: International Women’s Day

As we marked International Women’s Day last Sunday, I found myself reflecting on the great privilege and joy it is to be Head of this all-girls’ school. This global celebration of women reminds us of the importance of creating environments where girls are empowered to find their voices, pursue their ambitions, and be their authentic selves with confidence.

Girls’ schools are uniquely positioned to nurture this. They are designed around the most effective pedagogy for girls, creating classrooms where students feel secure enough to take risks, challenge themselves, and grow. In these spaces, gender stereotypes are diminished; instead, every girl is encouraged to explore her passions, wherever they may lie.

Research from the Girls’ Schools Association shows that girls in all-girls schools consistently achieve stronger academic outcomes than their peers in coeducational settings. Their findings highlight higher post-16 continuation rates and stronger university progression, alongside greater participation in STEM subjects and traditionally male-dominated activities.

The research also identifies that girls’ schools foster enhanced confidence, leadership, collaboration, and mental resilience, concluding that single‑sex environments uniquely support girls’ academic performance, subject‑choice freedom, and long‑term educational success. Taken together, the evidence makes one thing unmistakably clear: all‑girls’ schools deliver a powerful and proven advantage for girls’ futures.

The commitment to all‑girls’ education, here at Marymount, began with the Sisters of the RSHM, whose pioneering vision challenged the norms of their time. Mother Butler, in founding the first Marymount school, articulated a purpose that continues to guide us today: “The aims of a Marymount education are manifold: to educate the heart and mind, to provide for each student’s total growth—intellectually, spiritually, socially, and physically.” Each week, I see this vision manifest in the enthusiasm, determination, and generosity of our students.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” speaks beautifully to the spirit of our community. When we share with others, the whole community is enriched. This is a message that resonates deeply with our Marymount vision, ethos and, in particular, Goal 5 of our school goals: “To awaken a consciousness of social justice.”

In this spirit, we look forward to our Sponsored Walk this month, which will serve as the final event of our 70th Anniversary Appeal, in support of our bursary programme. Our goal has been to raise £70,000, and thanks to the generosity of our community, we are now just over £60,000. With one final collective effort, we hope to reach – and perhaps even surpass – our target. Our bursary programme is a living expression of our school mission, ensuring that a Marymount education remains accessible to students who will flourish here. Through such programmes, we open doors, unite our community, and strengthen the values that define us.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognise that our students are not simply beneficiaries of a proud educational tradition; they are emerging as thoughtful, assured young women who will positively influence and improve the world around them, and it is clear that, as a result, the future looks bright in their capable and compassionate hands. I am very proud of our students and the indelible mark they make on our community.

With warmest wishes,