International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women while recognising the ongoing journey toward gender equality. Across the Great Schools Trust, female leaders play a crucial role in shaping the future of education, inspiring students, and breaking down barriers. To mark this significant international event, these incredible leaders shared their thoughts on gender equality, leadership, and the importance of representation.
Leadership Beyond Gender
Katie Sharp, Director of Education, believes leadership is based on impact, not gender:
“Being a leader in education is an incredible privilege, and I firmly believe that leadership is not gendered. However, there’s no denying that women often face additional challenges due to societal expectations. At the Great Schools Trust, I am fortunate to work in an environment that values equity and supports leadership based on merit, vision, and impact rather than gender. As a female leader, I am acutely aware of the importance of representation - ensuring that young people, staff, and communities see strong women in leadership roles and know that they, too, can aspire to these positions.”
Future Leaders
Andrea St. John, Principal at King’s Hawthornes, discussed the significance of young women having positive role models:
“Being a female leader, particularly in education, is an honour and an opportunity to shape the aspirations of our future workforce in an ever-changing world of careers. I believe anything is possible, that every child has a superpower, and it is our job as educators to find each child's talent and make them shine. I am determined to instil in young women the belief that they can achieve anything - I inspire them to be extraordinary and never compromise on their true selves. Personally, being a female leader at the Great Schools Trust has genuinely been the most inspiring role of my career so far. I am in turn inspired by other strong female leaders across the trust who share my passion for changing the lives of young people and ensuring young women see themselves reflected in their leaders.”
Inspiring the Community
Yvonne Dineley, Principal at King’s Lander, spoke about the importance of representation in leadership:
“As a female leader in education, I am passionate about providing each and every child with the same opportunities, no matter their gender or background. Coming from a deprived area myself, I know the significant impact education can have on raising aspirations and changing lives. For me, International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that women are just as capable, visionary, and transformative as men—we are leaders, innovators, and changemakers. I take great pride in living these values and serving as a role model, ensuring that students and parents see strong leadership within their own communities. Representation matters, and when young people see women in leadership, they understand that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
Empowering the Next Generation
Louise France, Assistant Principal and Head of Year 11 at King’s Liverpool, highlighted the importance of self-belief and ambition:
“As an educator and senior leader, I see the importance of empowering young women to believe in themselves, set ambitious goals, and know that they are capable of achieving anything. International Women’s Day is also a reminder that progress isn’t just about women supporting women - it’s about men recognising their role in championing equality and creating spaces where women can thrive. True change happens when everyone plays a role in breaking down barriers.”
Taking Opportunities
Natasha Lawrence, Assistant Principal at King’s Hawthornes, shared her thoughts on the importance of seeking out and seizing opportunities:
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside inspiring women in the trust who have encouraged me to strive higher. Society often places barriers on women, and we can sometimes second-guess ourselves, while men are more likely to throw themselves into opportunities. That’s why I always speak honestly with pupils about my own journey - proving that labels don’t define us. My English teacher once told me I’d be lucky to get a D, yet I achieved two As. The only real limit to success is yourself. My advice to young women is simple: throw yourself into every opportunity, silence the doubts, and see every experience as a chance to grow.”
The Power of Representation
Netesha Butt, Lead Practitioner for Religious Studies and Associate SLT: Character & Diversity at King’s Bolton, is deeply passionate about ensuring equal opportunities for all students. As a woman of colour in leadership, she understands the significance of representation:
"I am deeply committed to ensuring that every student has equal opportunities to succeed. As a woman in leadership - and particularly as a woman of colour - I take great pride in being a positive role model, both within my school and in the wider community. Representation matters, and it is essential that young people see diverse leaders who inspire them to believe in their own potential. When they see success reflected in people who share their backgrounds and experiences, they understand that they, too, can achieve great things.”
Confidence in Male-Dominated Spaces
Indi Mackintosh, King’s Adventure Leader, reflected on her experiences in traditionally male-dominated environments:
"I believe in never holding back and always staying true to yourself, no matter the environment - even in traditionally male-dominated spaces. When I joined cadets at a young age, I was often outnumbered by boys, but I refused to let that intimidate me. Instead, I embraced every challenge with confidence and determination. Now, on our outdoor residentials, I find great fulfilment in empowering female staff and students to step beyond their comfort zones, push past their limits, and achieve things they never thought possible."
Building Resilience and Ambition
Ana Sanchez, Lead Practitioner for Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish & Arabic), Trust Subject Lead and Extended SLT for Teaching and Learning at King’s Liverpool, emphasised fostering confidence in students:
“As a teacher, I inspire young people, especially girls, by fostering confidence, resilience, and ambition in everything they do. I try to create a supportive environment where pupils feel empowered to take risks, express their ideas, and believe in their abilities. Having been a very shy student myself, I know firsthand how important this is; my own teachers helped me develop confidence, and I strive to do the same for my students. I believe when carving out your career path it’s essential to stay true to your values, work hard, and use your voice to make a difference. Leadership isn’t just about personal success; it’s about empowering others and creating meaningful change.”
Overcoming Limitations
Jenni Powell, Assistant Principal and SENCO at King’s Phoenix, encourages students to challenge societal expectations:
“I always tell my pupils, especially the girls, that they are capable of achieving far more than they sometimes believe. One of my goals is to help them see beyond the limitations that society or others may place on them. I strive to model resilience and confidence in everything I do, serving as a positive role model for our pupils at King’s Phoenix. No dream is too big, and no ambition is too bold. You can always shine, even on the toughest days!”
Breaking Barriers in STEM
Rachel Ashley, Director of Curriculum & Future Learning at King’s Warrington, shared her experience in a male-dominated field:
“I strongly believe that every young person should have access to diverse role models and the confidence to follow any career path they choose. Coming from a science background, I faced my own challenges - encountering resistance from a male supervisor while studying for my MSc in Nuclear Chemistry in Canada. However, I was fortunate to have a supportive network of both male and female colleagues who encouraged me to keep pushing forward. At King’s Warrington, it has been incredibly rewarding to see more female students pursuing careers in science. It’s vital that we continue to inspire and empower young women, showing them that they can thrive in any field—because they absolutely can.”
Leadership in Higher Education:
Jo Hornby, Head of Quality Transformation at the University of Greater Manchester (formerly Bolton), is co-chair of the trust board and has worked closely with the trust over the past six years. She shares her experience as a female leader in Higher Education:
"It is an honour to be in a leadership position and represent women in the sector. As so many young women now progress into higher education in a range of subject disciplines, it is important that they have good role models to show how women are empowered as leaders, and to demonstrate that gender does not create a barrier to career progression. I know I would not be in my current role now if I hadn’t taken every opportunity to take on different tasks, including volunteering with GST. This doesn’t mean that you should be taken advantage of; you should feel confident to say ‘no’ when you have to."
International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of equality, representation, and opportunity. The voices of these leaders from across the Great Schools Trust highlight the need to continue empowering the next generation, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that all young people - regardless of gender - feel confident and supported on the pathway to success.