Women represent between 86% and 90% of the education workforce, and more than half of our students and caregivers are female.

Therefore, supporting women’s health and wellbeing is not a niche or an ‘other’ issue, but rather a leadership responsibility that directly influences staff wellbeing, retention, and the overall culture of our schools.

Yet many school leaders feel underprepared to support the realities of women’s health across different life stages, including puberty, menstrual health, and menopause, and the ways these influence physical, emotional, and professional wellbeing.

From supporting young girls through puberty, to understanding the impact of menstrual health, to recognizing the challenges of menopause, school leaders have a critical role in shaping environments where staff and students feel seen, supported, and able to thrive.

Male leaders and allies play an essential role in shaping supportive and inclusive school cultures, and this session offers an opportunity to build understanding, confidence, and practical tools to lead this work with care and intention and help create healthier, more inclusive school communities.

This session invites school leaders who want to better understand their role in supporting the wellbeing of their staff and students. creating environments where female staff and students feel supported and able to thrive. Together, we will examine practical leadership strategies, cultural considerations, and opportunities for meaningful change within our schools that can strengthen wellbeing across our whole community.