Empowering Future Generations: Celebrating International Women’s Day at Leighton Park

On Saturday 8th March the world will come together to celebrate International Women’s Day. At Leighton Park, we are proud to promote and uphold the values of equality, empowerment, and support for all of our students, and we continue to strive to create a space where young women can thrive, learn, and lead. Having been a co-educational school for 50 years, since 1975, we have long embraced the importance of equality and inclusion, ensuring that all of our students, regardless of gender, are given the opportunities and support they need to succeed. As such we have several initiatives in place that aim to empower the next generation of women, in line with our core Quaker values.

Female Lead Society: Leadership and Advocacy in Action
Our school is home to the Female Lead Society, a group founded by Tash Coccia (Senior Assistant Head: Cocurricular & Partnerships), which was inspired by the powerful work of The Female Lead organisation. Since its inception, this society has been a platform for Year 9 and above to engage with important issues surrounding advocacy, empowerment and informed intellectual debate.
Earlier this week, members of the society had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Amazon Headquarters in Shoreditch, where they attended a special event aimed at inspiring and empowering young women. The evening was filled with fascinating career stories from exceptional women across a variety of industries, followed by a student-led Q&A. The event also included networking opportunities and hands-on workshops where the students could connect with professionals and peers.

Steminists: Leading Girls into STEM Futures
At Leighton Park, we are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that girls are supported in pursuing careers in all fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Through our ‘Steminists’ initiative, set up by Claire Gale (Science teacher), we provide a student-led co-curricular platform for young women to explore and excel in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Through talks, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, we are building the confidence of our female students and encouraging them to aim high.

Girls on Board: Strength in Sharing
An important part of empowering young women is creating a culture where they feel safe, supported, and valued. The ‘Girls on Board’ initiative at Leighton Park is designed to help our students foster positive relationships, build resilience and support each other in navigating the challenges of life. The programme provides a peer-support network, where older girls are trained to help guide and mentor younger students, creating a stronger sense of community. Nicky Hardy (Deputy Head Pastoral) explains “It’s about nurturing female friendships which are based on respect and uplifting one another – it’s a key pastoral approach we use at LP”.

Her Game Too: Levelling the Playing Field
We are the first senior school to partner with ‘Her Game Too’, promoting gender equality in sport. The partnership was initiated by Callum Beasley (Head of Football), a proven supporter of championing girls in sport. In line with our Quaker values of equality and respect, Leighton Park believes that no girl should be hindered by concerns of sexism or ridicule in sport. Joining forces with Her Game Too cements the school’s focus on development of young female footballers in an environment free from bias.

Looking Forward: LP Girls Can Week
Looking ahead, we are excited for our annual ‘LP Girls Can Week’ in June now in its eighth year. Through this initiative, introduced by Zoe Macpherson (Head of Netball), we aim to buck the trend of that 64% of girls quit sports by the age of finishing puberty (aged 16-17), double the number of boys. The week aims to inspire students to participate in sports, help their physical and mental well-being and encourage them to feel comfortable in their own bodies.

A Commitment to Equality
International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the importance of celebrating and championing the women who have come before us and the need to continue working toward a more equitable future for all. At Leighton Park, we are committed to this journey of equality, and we are proud of the initiatives and values that help our students flourish. As we continue to empower the next generation of female leaders, thinkers, and changemakers, we remain steadfast in our dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive community for all. And we look forward to celebrating 50 years of co-education at Leighton Park in 2025!