House of Lords Speakers

Two students joined Mrs Paul at the House of Lords, speaking to influential voices in education, business and leadership.

Head Girl Molly and bursary student Asantewaa had the opportunity to share their views at the event, hosted in the Palace of Westminster, where the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) presented their latest report: Designing the Future of Girls’ Education. 

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff invited Mrs Paul and our two students to join pupils from GDST sister schools, Howell’s and Belvedere Academy, alongside two other GDST Heads and GDST Chief Executive, Cheryl Giovannoni. Both our pupils spoke passionately about how their experience of an education designed for girls has helped them to develop the requisite confidence and skills to feel empowered to fulfil their potential.

“South Hampstead High School prioritises women in the classroom by showing us who we can be and helping us with the tools to become those people.” – Asantewaa, Year 10

“A school with a culture of debate doesn’t just teach students to fight for what they believe – it teaches them to listen, to learn and to compromise.”– Molly, Upper Sixth

Mrs Paul also spoke about the positive impact of the culture in girls’ schools, and praised Molly and Asantewaa for speaking with such poise and conviction: “I am so proud of the girls; it was a wonderful occasion and an honour to be asked to speak out about the power of all-girls’ education on behalf of South Hampstead and the GDST.”

Asantewaa added: “Having an opportunity like this, as a bursary student, made me really appreciate the value of the amazing work of the GDST. If I wasn’t at South Hampstead, I’d never have had the chance to attend such a prestigious event. I feel proud of myself, my school, and all the people who helped me to get here.”

Read the GDST insight report here.