International Women's Day

On Wednesday 19 March 2025, KS3 and KS4 girls had the opportunity to celebrate and understand the importance of International Women’s Day. The pupils attended assemblies led by keynote speakers who aimed to uplift and motivate them, focusing on this year’s theme of “accelerate action.” Staff were encouraged to wear the colours of the suffragettes to show their support for the day.

For the KS3 assembly, Jade Barnett, a public speaker and co-founder of Power2Prevail who has appeared on BBC News, spoke to the pupils. She shared her experiences growing up in Birmingham, discussing the challenges she faced as a young woman and how she now inspires others to achieve their goals. The pupils engaged in discussions about the issues facing young women today and explored ways to drive change and “accelerate action.”

In the KS4 assemblies, pupils heard from accomplished keynote speakers, including Elodie, an engineer at Balfour Beatty, and Lucy, who works for MFG Solicitors. Their talks helped pupils envision the possibilities for their future careers and supported the school’s CARE brand by motivating them to succeed.

In the afternoon, selected pupils participated in a creative workshop focused on International Women’s Day. Led by Miss Needle and Miss Windsor, the pupils listened to a PowerPoint presentation about the significance of the day and shared their motivations for being involved. They then wrote letters to women who inspire and motivate them, including mothers, sisters, teachers, and admired celebrities.

The pupils also created flower arrangements in the colours of the suffragettes. Each pupil designed their own arrangement, which will be displayed at Hodge Hill College to commemorate the importance of this event.