News Blog

On Monday 30th January, Thomas Bennett Community College (TBCC) hosted its first event for #WomenEd, a global grassroots movement that connects aspiring and existing women leaders in education. Leaders and aspiring leaders from all over the South East came together to discuss how to lead with visibility and vulnerability, making schools a fair, unbiased and equitable place for the female workforce.  

Nearly 100 delegates at the event heard a number of inspiring talks, including TKAT's Deputy CEO, Liz Harrison, who shared the work of the Trust to support women’s aspirations, including financial and wellbeing support for further study, career progression and coaching/mentoring programmes. 

Colleagues discussed their experiences of being vulnerable. Cheryl Walsh, Deputy Headteacher at The Mill Primary School and the coordinator for #WomenEd South East introduced the core values of what #WomenEd stands for and how educational leaders and practitioners can all benefit from the shared vision. 

Cat McKeever from Seymour Primary School, spoke about her journey into leadership and both of her recent promotions. Dee Bell, maths teacher and staff governor at TBCC, discussed intersectionality and how she, despite her vulnerability, became a leader. Jodie Peters, Inclusion Manager at TBCC talked about her ethnicity and her sometimes feeling of 'not belonging' in society, which resonated with the audience discussing the need to feel comfortable with being uncomfortable and how this represents a scope for challenge and growth. 

The inspiring co-founder and strategic leader of #WomenEd, Vivienne Porritt, spoke about equity, the gender pay gap and the need to empower and support each other at all career stages. 

Emer Lesova, Head of School at TBCC said, “We were delighted to be involved in hosting the first #WomenEd event since the end of the pandemic. It was very obvious that everyone really missed the freedom to network and share best practice within an environment full of like minded leaders and we hope that this is the first of many to come.”