My New Year message centred on the power of girls’ education and why schools such as Northampton High, the only all-girls independent high school in Northamptonshire, remain deeply relevant, purposeful and transformative.
‘Made for Girls’ is our way of celebrating the brave, confident and compassionate young people who make our school community what it is.
One of our non-negotiable principles is simple but powerful: we believe in each and every one of our girls, and they believe in themselves. This belief is woven firmly into our classrooms, our curriculum and our culture. It means that every pupil is known, heard and valued for who she is. This will always be a cornerstone of our school, and we will continue striving to do it ever better, because in so many ways it matters most.
All the thoughtful and sometimes restless ways in which we reflect on teaching and learning, wellbeing support and pastoral care share a common purpose at their heart: to instil confidence and self-belief, and to cultivate a sense of meaning; to nurture curiosity and ambition; and to foster a readiness to seek and aim for joy.
That is what we mean by educating the whole child and what we strive to teach, and what we are privileged, every day, to learn. At Northampton High, we model a warm and inclusive approach, one that supports all students to read deeply, lead wisely and think critically about the world they wish to help shape.
In a girls-first learning environment, pupils grow up in a space designed entirely with their development in mind. They are free to be themselves, to discover who they are and to take risks without the pressures of comparison or stereotype. In mixed settings, many girls can feel self-conscious; in girls’ schools, that pressure is lifted. Our pupils speak up readily, volunteer ideas with confidence and express their opinions knowing that their voices matter and are genuinely valued.
Friendships are rooted in collaboration rather than competition. Girls learn to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes and navigate challenges with empathy and kindness. This strong sense of belonging reinforces self-belief and affirms that success is not a single path, but something deeply individual.
Girls’ schools also create an environment where ambition is encouraged, and achievement is celebrated without caveat. There is no sense of certain subjects belonging to one gender. Whether a pupil loves science, art, cricket, computing, drama or anything in between, she can pursue her passions freely and without stereotypes. This creates a culture where learning is without limits and where curiosity can flourish.
Leadership development is another cornerstone of life at Northampton High. Every girl has the opportunity to lead, whether as a School Council, Sustainability or Undivided representative, a House Captain or Head Girl.
Our student leaders run clubs, lead assemblies, organise inter-house competitions, deliver speeches and captain sports teams. Younger pupils learn from the example of older girls on how to contribute meaningfully to school life and look forward to stepping into those roles themselves in the years to come.
As an all-through school, pupils from Reception upwards grow up surrounded by strong female role models, both peers and teachers, who demonstrate daily that leadership can take many forms. This visibility is powerful and enables girls to imagine themselves in positions of responsibility long before they step into them.
Ultimately, we empower our pupils to define success on their own terms. Free from constraints, our girls feel able to be 10% braver: to take intellectual risks, try new activities, challenge outdated stereotypes and step confidently into leadership roles. They leave us feeling seen, supported and wholly capable of shaping their futures with confidence and purpose, always ready to make a positive difference and to leave their mark on the wider world.
At a time when empathy, collaboration and communication are increasingly central to thriving in education and work, the values long championed in girls’ education and at Northampton High School are more relevant than ever. We will continue to place girls and young women at the centre of everything we do, confident that if every decision begins and ends with the question ‘what will lift her up?’, we will never go wrong.
By Dr May Lee, Head of Northampton High School GDST
Find out more about Northampton High School GDST on 01604 765765, or visit their website.
