There has recently been a high profile campaign to address the issue of the lack of female composers featured in the Edexcel A level Music syllabus. Edexcel has now assured Jessy, the teenage campaigner, that the course, and all other qualifications, will be reviewed to ensure they are diverse and inclusive. A great achievement!
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg in the under-representation of women’s successes.
The lack of representation, in all fields, often directly correlates with the lack of historical female successes. Many worthy pursuits, for which men have been recognised and women have been absent, would have been in careers not perceived as being acceptable ‘women’s work’. One area of progress has been in changing perceptions of what women’s work actually is; there are now many female engineers and doctors, athletes and musicians. But there is much more still to do, politically, economically, socially and culturally, to eradicate factors which inhibit women from success in diverse fields.
At St Mary’s School, Cambridge, we continue to address these issues, in part through promotion of successful female role models – ranging from STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) disciplines to the pursuit of professional sporting careers. We need to encourage, equip and inspire young people to consider essential technology and science-based disciplines if we are to meet the rising economic demand for employees in these fields.
One way to meet this demand is to ensure bright young female minds, with an aptitude for these subjects, aren’t dissuaded from studying them because of gender-based stereotypes or unequal opportunities. A recent Telegraph article on the rise of schoolgirls playing traditionally male sports claimed “it helps that women’s sport has shaken off the ‘Russian shot-putter’ image it perhaps had 40 years ago. There are a lot of very strong, glamorous role models now.”
One way to meet this demand is to ensure bright young female minds, with an aptitude for these subjects, aren’t dissuaded from studying them because of gender-based stereotypes
Tackling this perceived ‘image problem’ is key in ensuring young women aren’t dissuaded from pursuing careers such as engineering, as the issue can exert a significant influence on girls at a critical decision-making age. Female role models highlight the abundance of career and higher education paths available to women, as well as addressing girls’ concerns around ‘glamour’.
The tide is beginning to turn in cricket, football and rugby, traditionally thought of as ‘men’s sports’, but rising in popularity among women. This was clear to see during the England Women’s Football team’s success in the recent Women’s World Cup, and in the prominent coverage of the team’s success.
These upward trends are, reassuringly, beginning to improve the situation for future generations. We actively encourage these changes in perception among our students through offering networking opportunities, mentoring and coaching, where the human interest and moral value aspects of professions can be explored.
Model musicians
Head of Music, Mrs Fisher, who herself composes and conducts, has commissioned alumna Jessica Norton to write a de novo carol for the school’s chamber choir Allegro. Musician-in-residence at the school, Jessica now plays her part as a role model for young musicians; pursuing a career in music and excelling in another area traditionally dominated by men – conducting.
Spectacular sportswomen
The school welcomed GB Women’s team rower, Gillian Lindsay, to give an inspirational talk to students at the annual Sports Award Ceremony in April. Additionally, our team of female sports teachers offers role models for a range of sports, with each team member specialising in a different sport.
Recent alumna Alice B has taken up her place to train with the British Racing School, pursuing a career as a jockey, and the school hopes to welcome Alice back to speak to younger students about her experience of pursuing a professional sporting career.
Putting the A in to STEAM
Recent alumna Constance H is an exemplary role model. Constance’s passion for art, combined with her enjoyment of mathematics, led her to read architecture at the University of Bath. Constance’s story inspires; choosing subjects you are passionate about, avoiding stereotypes and shaking off perceptions of STEM careers as ’unglamorous’ is a recipe for satisfaction and success.
