--- title: "Headteacher's blog: Exploring female leads in children's literature" description: Discover how we create a solid foundation for the years ahead, starting from Year 3 at the Junior School. The bar is immediately set high and expectations are set at Key Stage 2. image: https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(87).png --- [![Black left aligned RHS GDST logo](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=215&height=100&name=Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black left aligned RHS GDST logo")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [![Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Redmaids_High_School_April2021/images/mobile-logo.png?width=270&height=472&name=mobile-logo.png "Redmaids' High School")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [\< Back to Blog](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) # Headteacher's blog: Exploring female leads in children's literature ![Untitled design (87)](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(87).png?width=451&height=451&name=Untitled%20design%20(87).png)       International Women’s Day 2024 focused on speeding up the movement for gender equality across the world. Whilst much has been achieved since the suffragettes fought for the right to vote in Britain with some of our very own ex-students being actively involved, the Sturgeon sisters and Agnes Beddoe, inequality remains. Our Juniors were surprised to learn that some women across the world were still unable to drive, unable to travel on their own, be educated or vote in an election. Having an understanding of the world we live in beyond our cosy Henleaze bubble is a key priority of our pastoral and global citizenship curriculum. Assembly programmes and lessons where current affairs are hotly debated, increase knowledge of events beyond the girls’ experience and make them question the morality and ethics surrounding them. This year, World Book Day landed in the same week as International Women’s Day and to combine the two, we considered the impact of literature on society. In February 2022, a study by Capstone Publishing showed that for every three books featuring male lead characters, there were only two featuring females. In fact, a book is more likely to have no lead character than a female lead. It was found that the centering of male leads in stories was common across all genres. Where equal representation is lacking, children are given a narrow view of the world, who they can be, what they can and cannot do, according to their gender. We want our girls to have female role models in the literature we are reading to aspire to, and to enable them to find their place in a global society, to have a voice and to be empowered. In assembly, there was no shortage of female literary characters that the girls put forward which was rewarding to hear. From Pippi Longstocking, to Matilda, to Violet Baudelaire from A Series of Unfortunate Events, the powerful female lead character in children’s literature was certainly recognised and celebrated across the Junior School. The great thing about being at school is that we can be authors of our own stories and as part of World Book Day, we wrote our own stories about a ring inspired by ‘The Hobbit.’ In it, we were free to create our own lead characters who could be feisty, determined, cunning and clever, and female! When choosing books we should be aware of bias and the subtle ways that story telling reinforces stereotypes. That said, we still enjoy traditional stories but they should be recognised for the time when they were written, debated, and historical views and attitudes explored. A great place for this are our Junior Bookclubs; I’m sure you would enjoy them! Our next Visiting Morning is on Thursday 25 April or contact us to arrange an independent tour. Visit [here](https://info.redmaidshigh.co.uk/junior-school-visiting-morning) for more information.  Date Posted: 27 March, 2024 [Share](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/exploringfemaleleadsinliterature) ## Articles for: Junior ![Headteacher's blog: Why it all starts here in Year 3](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC00721.jpg?width=770&name=DSC00721.jpg) **Headteacher's blog: Why it all starts here in Year 3** Date Posted: 4 January, 2024 READ MORE ![Headteacher's Blog: Why take that step into moving schools at Year 3?](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design-Jan-08-2026-02-49-00-7659-PM.jpg?width=770&name=Untitled%20design-Jan-08-2026-02-49-00-7659-PM.jpg) **Headteacher's Blog: Why take that step into moving schools at Year 3?** Date Posted: 8 January, 2026 Our Junior School specialises in Key Stage 2, education for 7-11-year-olds, beginning at Year 3. Every girl is new, so... READ MORE ![Junior Headteacher's Blog: Dare To Be Different](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/27cc00cd-2345-42ff-b859-4a31116047cd.jpg?width=770&name=27cc00cd-2345-42ff-b859-4a31116047cd.jpg) **Junior Headteacher's Blog: Dare To Be Different** Date Posted: 28 September, 2026 School curriculum subjects have hardly changed in 100 years, yet it is an area that constantly needs revision. As a... READ MORE ![Headteacher's Blog: Why we love iPads - 10 years of Digital Learning at Redmaids' High Junior School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC00034.jpg?width=770&name=DSC00034.jpg) **Headteacher's Blog: Why we love iPads - 10 years of Digital Learning at Redmaids' High Junior School** Date Posted: 6 March, 2023 Ten years ago, we took a great leap of faith, as one of the first schools in Bristol to begin using iPads in the... READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: Why enjoyment in reading helps children to thrive | Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Lisa%20Brown%20photo-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Lisa%20Brown%20photo-450_th.jpg) **Headteacher's blog: Why enjoyment in reading helps children to thrive | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 28 November, 2019 Everything today is available 24/7; from information at our fingertips, to online shopping and takeaway delivery. In a... READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: Celebrating a remarkable year in the Junior School!](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(87).png?width=770&name=Untitled%20design%20(87).png) **Headteacher's blog: Celebrating a remarkable year in the Junior School!** Date Posted: 8 July, 2024 READ MORE ![Farewell from Mrs Lisa Brown - Junior School Headteacher](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Redmaids%20Photography%202025%20(28%20of%2088)%20(1)-2.jpg?width=770&name=Redmaids%20Photography%202025%20(28%20of%2088)%20(1)-2.jpg) **Farewell from Mrs Lisa Brown - Junior School Headteacher** Date Posted: 2 July, 2026 A heartfelt thank you to you all for supporting me through a fabulous 31 years at the school, nearly 12 years as... READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: A Vous La France!](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/20231012_085836%20(1).jpg?width=770&name=20231012_085836%20(1).jpg) **Headteacher's blog: A Vous La France!** Date Posted: 16 October, 2023 READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: Top tips for settling in to school](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Lisa%20blog2.jpg?width=770&name=Lisa%20blog2.jpg) **Headteacher's blog: Top tips for settling in to school** Date Posted: 3 August, 2022 By Mrs L Brown, Redmaids' High Junior School Headteacher The Summer break is an excellent opportunity to recharge,... READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: Getting through this together | Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Lisa%20Brown%20portrait-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Lisa%20Brown%20portrait-450_th.jpg) **Headteacher's blog: Getting through this together | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 22 January, 2021 READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: Don’t forget to have fun!  | Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Edited%20junior%20art%20pic%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Edited%20junior%20art%20pic%20-450_th.jpg) **Headteacher's blog: Don’t forget to have fun!  | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 20 October, 2020 READ MORE ![Headteacher's blog: Embracing technology in the junior school | Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/BEST%20LISA%20-%201-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=BEST%20LISA%20-%201-450_th.jpg) **Headteacher's blog: Embracing technology in the junior school | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 26 February, 2020 READ MORE ![Headteacher’s Blog: Why the junior years matter in girls’ education](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(1)-3.jpg?width=770&name=Untitled%20design%20(1)-3.jpg) **Headteacher’s Blog: Why the junior years matter in girls’ education** Date Posted: 16 January, 2025 As a Junior School, we are specialists in Key Stage 2 education and provide a step up in expectations of learning and... READ MORE ![Head's Blog - Children's Mental Health](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Izzy%20Barnes%20(1).jpg?width=770&name=Izzy%20Barnes%20(1).jpg) **Head's Blog - Children's Mental Health** Date Posted: 8 February, 2023 By Paul Dwyer, Head READ MORE ![Head's Blog: Positivity in politics isn’t over; our children are proof of this](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Paul%20Dwyer%203-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Paul%20Dwyer%203-450_th.jpg) **Head's Blog: Positivity in politics isn’t over; our children are proof of this** Date Posted: 8 January, 2021 READ MORE ![Head's Blog - What should we tell our children?](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_2378-1.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_2378-1.jpg) **Head's Blog - What should we tell our children?** Date Posted: 3 March, 2022 There are many times when a teacher or parent might find themselves lost for words. Being posed a challenging question... READ MORE ![Head's Blog - Reflecting on a year of lockdown | Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3bf0dd15-7be1-4dbb-aa8c-d8d0827d7653-Jul-08-2021-03-22-55-73-PM.png?width=770&name=3bf0dd15-7be1-4dbb-aa8c-d8d0827d7653-Jul-08-2021-03-22-55-73-PM.png) **Head's Blog - Reflecting on a year of lockdown | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 23 March, 2021 On this day of reflection, a year since we first went into lockdown, I have been thinking about what that journey has... READ MORE ![Junior School Headteacher Mrs Brown explains why girls here positively thrive.](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Lisa%20Brown%20recent%20-%20sqaure%20for%20instagram%20-1.jpg?width=770&name=Lisa%20Brown%20recent%20-%20sqaure%20for%20instagram%20-1.jpg) **Junior School Headteacher Mrs Brown explains why girls here positively thrive.** Date Posted: 17 January, 2022 READ MORE ![Head's Blog Student Takeover - IWD2023](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Heads%20Blog%20takeover.jpg?width=770&name=Heads%20Blog%20takeover.jpg) **Head's Blog Student Takeover - IWD2023** Date Posted: 8 March, 2023 Written by twins Shauna and Naina in Year 7, taking over Mr Dwyer's 'Head's Blog' for International Women's Day.... READ MORE ![The Singing Children of Kenya visit to Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/8_resized-2.png?width=770&name=8_resized-2.png) **The Singing Children of Kenya visit to Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 6 October, 2025 Last week, Redmaids’ High was honoured to host The Singing Children of Africa, an inspiring choir from the Jolaurabi... READ MORE [Click here to view all news articles](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk) - [MAKE AN ENQUIRY](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us) - [NEWS](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) - [MY REDMAIDS' HIGH](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/my-redmaids/) [![Black centered RHS GDST logo](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=179&height=200&name=Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black centered RHS GDST logo")](http://redmaidshigh.co.uk) #### Registered Office The Asticus Building, 21 Palmer Street, London, England, SW1H 0AD Company number: 6400 Registered charity number: 306983    #### Junior School Grange Court Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 4DP [0117 962 9451](tel:0117%20962%209451) [juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) #### Senior School AND SIXTH FORM Westbury Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 3AW [0117 962 2641](tel:0117%20962%202641) [seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) - © 2025 Redmaids' High School, GDST - All rights reserved - [School Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/) - [Cookie & Privacy Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/data-protection-and-privacy-policies/) - [Contact Us](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Redmaids' High School", "url" : "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/author/redmaids-high-school" }, "dateModified" : "2024-03-28T09:58:47.194Z", "datePublished" : "2024-03-27T16:30:47.000Z", "headline" : "Headteacher's blog: Exploring female leads in children's literature", "image" : [ "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(87).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/exploringfemaleleadsinliterature", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/RHS_logo_left%20aligned_black_RGB.png" }, "name" : "Redmaids' High School" } } ```