Empowering young girls is crucial for creating a more inclusive and equal society, writes Samantha Gibbons, Head of Preparatory Department at Manchester High School for Girls.
By providing girls with the necessary tools, opportunities, and support, we can help them overcome societal barriers and achieve their full potential.
A high aspiration, no doubt, but one that all educators, particularly those involved in girls-only schools, seek to create.
Research demonstrates that happy students perform better cognitively. Happiness leads to improved focus, comprehension, and information retention. It also sparks intrinsic motivation, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Moreover, happy pupils tend to cultivate healthier relationships, and have higher self-esteem, and resilience when handling setbacks and academic stress, ultimately contributing to better outcomes.
‘Happiness’ and human flourishing
At MHSG, we are mindful of this, and we actively build an environment with ‘happiness’ and human flourishing at its core.
Our Pupil Voice Leaders work within peer focus groups, to ascertain our pupils’ attitudes to learning and establish how they feel they learn best. These sessions have revealed our pupils derive the most enjoyment in their learning when it is hands-on and practical.
They use the word ‘fusion’ (their word, not ours) to describe the cross-curricular links, and whilst this is nothing new in education, actively canvassing the views of the girls in this way is instrumental in designing schemes of work and activities and has led to them feeling that they are part of this process.
They talk positively about the support and guidance they receive from their teachers and how they benefit when a teacher breaks problems down into smaller parts or finds alternative explanations.
This can include creating a more collaborative and interactive learning environment, incorporating more visual and verbal learning techniques, and providing opportunities for girls to excel academically, all of which contribute to a feeling of happiness.
Multifaceted approach
Achievement and therefore empowerment cannot be realised in their fullest sense without ‘happiness’.
That does not mean to imply that a child will not suffer periods of sadness or other negative emotions, but it is their ability to process these negative emotions independently and return to the state of being happy that measures their overall well-being.
Schools have a responsibility in this regard too. We cannot shield pupils from the negativities around them, rather we must prepare them for these times so that they can truly enjoy being happy when the period of challenge passes.
Empowering young girls is a collective responsibility, requiring a multifaceted approach. By investing in education and promoting happiness, we can create an environment where girls thrive and reach their full potential.
It is essential to break down societal barriers, challenge stereotypes, and provide equal opportunities.
Empowered young girls will not only transform their own lives but will contribute to a more inclusive and equal society.
Find out for yourself
MHSG is holding its next Preparatory Department Open Morning (for pupils aged four to 11) on Saturday, March 9, from 9am-11.30am.
For further details and to register to attend, call 0161 224 0447 or see manchesterhigh.co.uk/admissions/open-events
