Who are the GSA? Clare Strickland explains
What is the GSA?
The Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) is an organisation of schools which excel in educating girls, promoting the highest standards in academics, pastoral care, and co-curricular activities. Through various inter-school partnerships, they share expertise, specialisations, events, and facilities. The GSA emphasises the advantages of a predominantly girls-only learning environment, and the importance of continuous professional development through a wide range of collaborative conferences and courses
• What does your new role involve?
As a committee member I have the responsibility to enable the defining and sharing of best practice among Heads in girls’ schools. To also offer professional advice and training as appropriate and to support and keep members abreast of national developments in education and pastoral care for children, particularly girls, in prep schools and also with the all-important 11+!
• Which other schools are in the GSA? How do you work together?
The GSA provides me with an opportunity to work with all the local GSA school and their Heads including Putney High; Wimbledon High; Godolphin and Latymer; LEH; St. Paul’s Girls; City of London School for Girls; Francis Holland as well as other further afield.
• How does being in the GSA benefit the girls at OVS?
As an example, the GSA has a wonderful programme of events called Go Bold. These have been created to nurture the talents of the students and to spark courage, curiosity, delight and self-belief in every GSA girl beyond the classroom. The GSA provides excellent support, professional development and networking for the staff.
As a Head it also means I have an opportunity to engage in all the latest research and development in not only girls’ education but also the whole sector, working very closely with other prep schools and senior school heads.
• In your view what are the benefits of girls' schools?
Having worked in a co-ed school, I can see the huge benefits of girls-only education where the focus is on the building of confidence, risk-taking and resilience. The girls at OVS are fully engaged in their learning in every lesson and as a teacher, it is wonderful to teach without being distracted by the management of the behaviour in the class. In an all-girls environment, the girls explore and experiment with new learning in a safe environment where they feel nurtured, supported and encourage to be ambitious.
