My fear is that, without financial support, some girls are missing out on the chance of this education, as well as The Abbey missing out from them being part of its community.
Elaine was Head of Mathematics at The Abbey, 2003 – 2023
I passionately believe in single-sex secondary education for girls, particularly because of the confidence it gives them to flourish in mathematics and science.
This means that when they choose subjects to study in the Sixth Form and think about career pathways, they are not constrained by the stereotyping that I have seen occur in some co-educational schools, but freely choose that which interests them.
In 2022, Mathematics was the most popular A-Level subject for boys but only the fourth most popular among girls. My hope is that this is where I have made a difference.
I have not changed the world by going on demos, but I have perhaps helped students to open doors through education and then go on to change the world in more creative and effective ways than I ever could.
Each year the Upper Sixth Leavers’ Yearbook and annual Alumnae reunions show that students have made lifelong friends at The Abbey in addition to many happy memories that they will cherish forever. As a member of staff at The Abbey, I have also made lifelong friends and have enjoyed working with amazingly dedicated and supportive colleagues, particularly in the Mathematics Department.
Bursary places provide an opportunity for a breadth of students, irrespective of background, to study at The Abbey. Yet, whilst many all-boys’ independent schools or formerly all-boys’ independent schools can support transformational bursary places from large endowment funds, The Abbey relies on donations.
That is why I am making the choice to contribute financially to the 1887 Bursary Fund and am advocating for others to join me.
The glass ceiling still exists in the workplace. The Abbey, which has girls’ education at its heart, can help to change this and support students to become rounded individuals, preparing them to make a significant difference in the world.
My sincere thanks to all the wonderful students I have had the privilege to teach, tutor and work with over the last 20 years at The Abbey.
Remember that making mistakes is the way you learn; having a go is the most important thing; and NEVER say “I wasn’t any good at Maths at school” – you were!
