International Women’s Day school spotlight: Hazelwood Academy
Date: 08/03/2024
The theme for this year's International Women's Day is #InspireInclusion. Across our network, we want to celebrate the brilliant women who make what we do possible and inspire the next generation of female leaders. Whether in leadership, teaching, or support work, inclusivity for women and girls is crucial for everything we do.
For this special occasion we want to spotlight a school in our network that stands out for a particularly inspiring reason: it is staffed, supported and led by an all-female team.
Located in a challenging school context in Swindon, Hazelwood Academy stands as a beacon of female empowerment and excellence. Led by principal Suzanne Lloyd, the primary school not only strives for excellence for its students but also fosters an environment where the all-female teaching staff inspire and empower their students daily by providing strong female role models.
Supporting Suzanne in leading the school is Hazelwood's all-female leadership team, including Deputy Head Teacher Miss Giselle Grace, who also serves as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and SENCO/Inclusion coordinator, ensuring the well-being and support of every student. Miss Jessica Dyer leads the Early Years department with passion and innovation, while Mrs. Kirstie Mears and Mrs. Angela Tanner take on pivotal roles as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL), ensuring the safety and welfare of all students. Completing the team is Miss Kristie Brown, providing invaluable leadership support.
In keeping with their inspiring team of teachers and leaders, the school works hard to raise aspirations for all of its students regardless of gender. Its careers initiative works in partnership with the Swindon and Wilshire Careers hub to broaden students' horizons and empower them to pursue their passions.
This has included a ‘Children in Charge’ day coming up in June 2024, webinars with Naval careers, PSHE lessons on dreams and goals, visits pupil parents with exciting occupations and role playing as vets, astronauts and more!
Last November, Years 5 and 6 from the school were taken on an exciting trip to the houses of parliament, allowing them to see into the heart of democracy and how the country is governed. Many students finished the day with big aspirations for future careers in politics!
Hazelwood Academy was judged to be ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted in November 2023, with inspectors stating that the school is ‘highly ambitious for all pupils’. Inspectors also found that pupils ‘understand the importance of equality and inclusion by treating everyone fairly’.
We hope you have enjoyed hearing about this unique school in our network. As we commemorate International Women's Day, let's celebrate institutions like Hazelwood Academy, where women are not only shaping young minds but also inspiring the future women leaders for our society. Through their dedication, passion, and inclusive approach to education, the all-female teaching staff at Hazelwood Academy are not just inspiring inclusion; they are living examples of it.
