Mr Stump talks at International Education Conference in Baltimore, USA
This June, I had the privilege to travel to Baltimore, Maryland to attend the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) annual conference. Following in the footsteps of Mrs Brown, Mr Giblin and Mrs Parkes, as a member of the 2025 Global Action Research Collaborative (GARC), I joined fellow educators from the UK, US, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia to embark on educational research.
The GARC project unites teachers globally to conduct action research within our respective schools. This cycle’s theme, “Girls as Agents of Their Learning: Creating a Culture of Empowerment and Engagement,” aims to explore how we can better support and empower our students. As educators in diverse girls’ schools, our collaboration is pivotal in addressing the increasingly complex challenges faced by adolescent girls today. Given that students spend a significant portion of their lives at school, teachers play a crucial role in their development—not only academically but also as individuals. Action research provides a powerful tool for teachers to assess and implement innovative strategies to balance academic growth with student well-being.
This year’s GARC topic is particularly timely, as it focuses on fostering healthy girls by emphasising student agency as a key indicator of well-being. After landing in Baltimore I embarked on three intensive days of research training, where GARC participants delved into methodologies and strategies for effective action research. This training has equipped us with the skills to initiate our projects and make meaningful impacts in our classrooms. We also got to see presentations from other GARC participants from the 2023-24 research cycle, including colleagues from other GDST schools.
Following the training, the ICGS annual conference offered an enriching experience, allowing us to connect with and learn from educators dedicated to girls’ education worldwide. Among the many enlightening sessions, two keynote speeches stood out: Annie Jean-Baptiste, author and Head of Product Inclusion at Google, shared her insights on inclusivity and innovation in design, while Marin Alsop, a world-renowned conductor, inspired us with her straight-talking and leadership tips. I am now eager to implement the knowledge and skills gained from this experience. Starting in September, I will begin my action research project, focusing on new approaches to teaching Sociology to Sixth Form students. This project aims to enhance student engagement and empowerment, aligning with the overarching theme of creating a culture of empowerment in girls’ education.