Fairfield Pupils Celebrate National Careers Week and International Women’s Day with Inspiring Activities

At Fairfield High School for Girls, we believe in the power of education, ambition, and resilience to inspire the next generation of strong, confident women. During National Careers Week and in celebration of International Women’s Day, our pupils took part in a series of inspiring activities designed to foster excellence and ambition. This week not only highlighted the incredible careers available to young women but also celebrated the rich history of Fairfield as a school that has been empowering women for over two centuries.

Empowering Futures: Breaking Barriers in Male-Dominated Industries

One of the week’s highlights was the Empowering Futures event hosted by Stamford Park Trust. Pupils had the unique opportunity to explore careers in fields where women are often underrepresented, such as the Army, Construction, and Engineering. Trailblazing women from Stamford Products Ltd, The RAF, and Russell WBHO shared their experiences, offering practical advice and shedding light on the possibilities available to young women in these dynamic sectors. Pupils engaged in hands-on activities, asked insightful questions, and left feeling motivated to pursue their ambitions.

Inspiring Women’s Speed Networking: Learning from Role Models

At Fairfield, we also celebrated the wisdom and inspiration of women within our own community. Female teachers, support staff, and leaders shared the quotes they live by and the advice they would offer to young women. We also hosted our annual Inspiring Women’s Speed Networking Event for the whole of Year 8, where pupils had the chance to interact with professional women from various industries and gain valuable career insights. Take a look at a video from our Head of School highlighting the importance of International Women’s Day to our school.

A Legacy of Strength: Fairfield’s Commitment to Women’s Education

This International Women’s Day, we also reflected on the incredible journey of Fairfield High School for Girls—a school that has been shaping generations of confident, ambitious, and trailblazing women since its founding in 1796. At a time when formal education for girls was rare, Fairfield was revolutionary in offering young women the opportunity to study subjects such as literature, arithmetic, geography, French, and German, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to succeed.

From the early days of fighting for equality in education to the thriving careers of our alumni today, Fairfield has always been a place where young women uplift, inspire, and support each other.

Notable Fairfield Women: A History of Achievement

Fanni Bogdanow, a Fairfield alumna who fled Nazi Germany in 1938, went on to become a world-leading scholar in French and Arthurian literature, proving that resilience and ambition can overcome even the toughest challenges.

The Snowden Sisters—Jayne, Colette, and Lesley—each carved unique career paths in science, education, writing, and tourism, demonstrating the lasting impact of a Fairfield education across generations.

Jess and Saffron, a mother-daughter duo, are a testament to Fairfield’s legacy of ambition and success. Jess, a Top Female Role Model and industry leader, has won numerous awards in hospitality and events, while her daughter Saffron is already making her mark in digital marketing at UA92, managing social media accounts with over 100K followers.

Shaping the Future: Fairfield’s Lasting Impact

Today, our students continue to challenge expectations, dream big, and support one another, just as the generations before them have done. Whether they are becoming doctors, teachers, writers, business leaders, athletes, or activists, Fairfield girls leave our school ready to shape the world.

As we celebrate #IWD2025, let’s honor the strong, successful, and inspiring women who have walked these halls, past, present, and future.