SG launches 'Women in Leadership' initiative

With so much in the news around the ‘gender pay gap’ and the call for more women in senior roles, Sherborne Girls is taking steps to address this with the launch of its new ‘Women in Leadership’ initiative run in partnership with Sherborne Old Girls.

To mark the launch, a networking event was held at the Lansdowne Club in London on Wednesday 11 April. Guest speakers from the Old Girls and school community gave ‘TED-style’ talks, while industry experts representing over ten industry sectors, shared their knowledge and experience to offer careers advice to the wider Sherborne Girls community encompassing Old Girls, recent graduates, parents, governors as well as current students deciding on their future career paths.

The invited industry professionals were on hand to offer practical advice and networking opportunities from sectors including finance, law, media, advertising, digital technology, entrepreneurship, sustainable energy, defence, education, not for profit, medicine and property.

Jenny Dwyer, Headmistress at Sherborne Girls, explained:

“Ambition, leadership and 21st century women are key areas of our school strategy and our culture.  By embedding these ideals and behaviours in girls from a young age, I believe we are equipping them with the skills needed for the future work place where gender should be no bar to success.

“We are extremely lucky to have such strong links with our Old Girls association who willingly ‘give back’ by sharing their expertise and experience to inspire girls to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Sherborne Old Girls Chairman, Nicki Lewis, added “We are delighted to be co-hosting this exciting event with the school.  We are fully committed to our careers programme and helping our Old Girls excel in the workplace and realise their full potential.”

Recognising that most organisations still require higher proportions of females in senior roles, Sherborne Girls is determined to instil ambition and a sense of adventure in its girls. The Women in Leadership initiative will provide an excellent platform for the wider school community to offer practical support and encourage the growth of industry and career networks.

Jenny concluded, “I would like to thank all of those connected with our inaugural Women in in Leadership event for offering their time and expertise to inspire the leaders of the future.”

Sherborne Old Girls also launched a career coaching programme to its younger graduates at the event.