The theme imagines a gender-equal world which is free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, is equitable and inclusive and a world where difference is celebrated and valued.
Emphasising the fact it will take more than another 100 years to achieve full gender parity at the current rate of change, International Women’s Day 2025 wants to see swift and decisive steps to address barriers and biases women face.
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In our own community, the theme resonates loudly with Kirsty Rogers, the Headteacher of Aureus School, who has been at the heart of major improvements, leading to the school’s first ever ‘good’ Ofsted report.
Aureus is the only mixed-gender secondary school in the area and embodies inclusivity and diversity throughout staff, students and the wider community. Under the unswerving guidance of Kirsty, the school provides the supportive environment needed to see all its students learn and thrive together. She has encouraged them all to challenge stereotypes and to nurture equal opportunities.
Since starting in September 2023, Kirsty has worked tirelessly to achieve a ‘good’ in all areas report from Ofsted just over a year later. Seeing the potential the school had, and understanding how crucial her role would be in leading improvement - she has achieved a huge turnaround, reflected in the report by inspectors in October 2024.
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“We have been on a transformative journey and I am proud to share that this has resulted in a school where our students have a strong sense of belonging. We have an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible education for every student. We understand the importance of continuous growth and development. We want our students to think critically and push boundaries as there is no limit as to what they can achieve.
“We also believe that a stable and calm environment is essential for effective learning. We encourage kindness, acceptance and an understanding of others’ views and opinions, fostering a sense of belonging and respect.”
Boys and girls are taught ambition, resilience and respect from the start, and they are quick to discover the benefits of working together in a team while also understanding individuality and independence both have a place in their choices.
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“Our vision is to inspire excellence and foster ambition in every student. We believe that every child has the potential to achieve greatness when provided with the right support, resources and opportunities. We are dedicated to igniting their passion for learning.
“We are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment that empowers all of our students to succeed. Our vision and values guide every aspect of our educational journey.”
Kirsty has a passion for encouraging female students to study the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) and as a maths graduate herself, she shares the stories of women successful in the field to illustrate what is possible.
She often found herself as the only woman in the room due to her degree choice, but this led to her encouraging and nurturing girls to not only study in the same field, but to succeed and celebrate their success.
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“Ensuring girls feel empowered to challenge gender stereotypes in education has always been close to my heart.”
Following her time at university, Kirsty travelled widely and lived in France, America and Uganda before starting her education career in the UK.
“Throughout my career I have met and worked with some truly inspirational women who have rightly continued to shape and challenge my own limiting thoughts imposed by gender. My team and I aim to encourage girls to smash those glass ceilings and realise that there is no career that is beyond their reach.”
Living within the local area, Kirsty has a great understanding of the wider community and she aims to ensure Aureus is the first choice school for families in the area. Upholding standards already established in the relatively short time she has been with the school, Kirsty’s ambition is for every student to both succeed personally, and contribute to the wider world in a meaningful way.
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Kirsty and her team encourage their students to be curious, continue learning and strive for improvement during their time at Aureus and beyond.
“As a leader, teacher and mother of three wonderful daughters, I strive to help shape, create, inspire and raise empowered, curious women who know that their worth and potential is boundless.”
As a mother of three daughters herself, Kirsty strives to inspire and empower women who can themselves be leaders, and know that their potential is boundless and offers them a fulfilling and happy future.
“I believe passionately in our school motto ‘cultivating ambition; high standards for all’ and will always support the best thing we can do for our students in giving them a high quality education.
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International Women’s Day is a reminder of the transformative power that females in education can have, and Kirsty is proud to represent the rapid progress made at Aureus School and the continued high ambition for all students.
The 21st century offers so many options that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers would never recognise and it is beholden on all women to keep developing, encouraging and leading others to be the best they can be.
Change is happening too slowly, but it is happening and now we have to add a sense of urgency so we can be on an equal footing sooner than is currently projected.
