Bronwen Goulding, headmistress of St Francis’ College, Letchworth, reflects on the importance of preparing girls for the future
It is with great pleasure that I am beginning my headship at St Francis’ College. I have been struck already by the commitment and dedication of the staff as well as the warmth and welcoming nature of the community as a whole. The breadth and depth of opportunity and the rich curriculum here offer girls an excellent preparation for the global community which will be an integral part of their adult lives.
The world we live in now is a rapidly changing and dynamic environment powered by ever-evolving technology. As this world opens up, so too does the opportunity for women to take up high-profile positions in areas such as business and politics. It is important that girls practise and prepare for leadership, speak openly and compete publicly whether it is for high- profile prefect roles, debating, or the school councils!
St Francis’ College allows girls the chance to develop these skills and the self-belief which will help them succeed and become our leaders in the future. So often, girls are plagued by self-doubt and self-criticism. A girls-only education ensures that the focus is upon the needs of the girls, using educational strategies which best serve those girls. It is for these reasons that 62{b486c5a37ab2d325d17e17d701cb2567b1ecd1814e8ceb33effa2a4f1f171d46} of our sixth form study STEM subjects and are uninhibited by the gender stereotyping which other environments might foster.
We aim to encourage girls to think analytically and critically, to stretch themselves intellectually and to prepare themselves to compete in an ever-changing and competitive environment. It is important that they learn that failure is part of the journey to success and that they are capable of creating a successful future path for themselves. Truly independent research repeatedly demonstrates that girls flourish best and learn best when they are educated together. In fact, far from suggesting that single-sex girls’ education is old fashioned, I believe it to be forward-thinking in its outlook and provision. We offer girls a ‘future-ready’ education rather than a ‘futuristic’ one.
The community offers a full-time boarding and flexi boarding option which provides extraordinary breadth and depth for girls. It is a great chance for girls to develop social skills, in a unique way, by living and working with other young people.
The College is enlivened by young women from Africa, Asia and Europe which helps to establish a valuable global and international perspective. Our community is further enriched by day girls from all around the Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire counties. This diversity helps the girls understand the interconnectedness of the world.
I am passionate about the importance of stretch and challenge in the curriculum while ensuring the well-being of the girls. When we have a clear focus on intellectual development, creativity and personal development, I really believe that all girls will flourish and grow.
St Francis’ College offers a chance to empower young women to make a difference to society both here in the UK and in a more global context. We are a unified community, from prep to sixth form, with one purpose – to prioritise the opportunities for, and the development of our girls.
