EDUCATION
BENENDEN SCHOOL : A CENTURY OF INSPIRATION
JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE BRAVED WAR ZONES TO REPORT THE TRUTH . PHILANTHROPISTS WHO HAVE FOUNDED GLOBAL CHARITIES . PRINCESSES WHOSE HUMANITARIAN WORK HAS TOUCHED MILLIONS . THE MI5 DIRECTOR-GENERAL WHO RESPONDED TO TERRORIST ATTACKS … AND THE PRIEST WHO COMFORTED VICTIMS ’ FAMILIES . TRAILBLAZING ENTREPRENEURS WHO HAVE SMASHED THE GLASS CEILING .
Benenden School has been inspiring impressive female leaders for 100 years .
Now , in recognition of its centenary , for the first time the acclaimed boarding school has published a book that celebrates a selection of alumnae who have , in their own way , changed the world .
Called Benenden 100 and featuring a foreword from the school ’ s highest profile alumna , Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal , the book celebrates the lives of 100 individuals ( or 108 to be precise , with the school founders and headmistresses included in addition ) who embody the school ’ s values .
“ The list of achievements is simply extraordinary ,” says Benenden headmistress , Samantha Price . “ It has been an incredibly humbling experience to learn about so many wonderful people associated with Benenden who have achieved such outstanding feats .”
Baroness Manningham-Buller LG DCB
Selected by an editorial panel , the final list mainly comprises alumnae , as well as some staff , governors and other supporters . Politicians , aviators , lawyers , security personnel , actors , priests , conservationists , musicians , authors and Olympians are represented , to name just a few .
The book has been specially produced as part of the school ’ s centenary celebrations , marking 100 years at the forefront of British education with the launch of a progressive new curriculum and a range of events .
Subject learning has been expanded with exciting developments such as creative technology , combining art studies with the latest in software , AI and programming ; languages ancient and modern that bridges the gap between classical and contemporary language studies ; and the Electives Programme , offering a diverse range of courses fostering a love of learning for the sake of learning .
Celebrations have included a launch event that united the school community for sport , music , poetry , art , fantastic food and fireworks ; the Inspiring Future Female Leaders conference in which students from across the globe were invited to hear from speakers as notable as former MI5 director-general Baroness Manningham-
Buller LG DCB and HRH The Princess Royal ; and a conference on Women and Wellness , which was opened by Davina McCall and tackled subjects from the menopause to women ’ s pensions .
When judging Benenden as one of the top global schools in 2022 , luxury lifestyle magazine Spear ’ s summarised Benenden as “ inspiring leaders who care ” – a fitting tagline for a school that devotes so much time and energy to working in partnership with other schools and community groups . This summary would also surely have made Benenden School ’ s founders proud . When these three pioneering women – Kathleen Bird , Anne Hindle and Christine Sheldon – set up Benenden in September 1923 , they were pursuing their stated ethos : “ A happy school with personal integrity and service for others always in mind and where everyone would be given the chance to follow her own bent .”
A century later , Benenden School still follows that same path : inspiring students to achieve their very best by pursuing their passions wherever they may lead , while also instilling in them a sense of community and kindness .
www . benenden . school / centenarybook
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