To what extent should gender inform education?
As the Head of a prep school, I spend considerable time reflecting on how to educate all our children in a way that enables them to thrive. Every aspect of our offer is analysed and reviewed, developed and improved in a continuous loop with a view to achieving an optimum for our pupils.
When Elmhurst made the decision to admit girls, in 2024, the commitment was to continue to offer an education that built each individual’s strengths and confidence – enabling every child to thrive. Prep school education is about opportunity. Here we offer an ever-changing collection of experiences for our pupils to take part in and learn from. They may not like everything but we work to ensure there is something for everyone.
What never previously had to consider was whether the child’s gender meant they should experience X rather than Y. In an all-boys environment, the accepted approach was that they should have the chance to take part in all types of learning, from gymnastics and dance to football and STEM clubs. The question we face is whether that should change now that we cater to both girls and boys.
My firm belief is that our role as educators is to encourage, support, challenge and celebrate whatever the young people we work with do. Our role is to avoid limiting ambition or belief, and to nurture the can-do attitude so brilliantly captured in Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ slogan. That same global sportswear brand seeks women out through specific initiatives, aware that to create equal opportunity sometimes the odds need to be stacked in your favour. To some extent that is our approach to educating our girls.
We can measure, quantitatively and qualitatively, the very real benefit our pioneering young women are gaining by being part of our school community but we also recognise that these women are treading new boards. The foundations they lay will be critical for those that follow.
Our commitment is to walk alongside them and their families as we build that foundation together because, ultimately, gender should never be a barrier to opportunity. Every child
