Sixth-formers at leading girls’ schools to be taught how to ask for a pay rise or promotion
A GROUP of leading girls’ schools is sending pupils on a negotiating skills course so they can learn how to ask for a pay rise.
The Girls’ Day School Trust will enrol sixth-form students on an “Asking Difficult Questions” course this autumn, aimed at helping them get ahead in the workplace. Cheryl Giovannoni, who heads up the group of 24 independent girls’ schools, said that women were often timid about their achievements and lacked the confidence to put themselves forward for pay rises and promotions.
“All too often when it comes to the world of work, women can develop what’s sometimes known as ‘tiara syn- drome’,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “They wait for recognition, whereas men tend to be better at putting themselves forward to get what they feel they deserve. We need to rid ourselves of this idea that women talking about themselves is a bad thing.”
Ms Giovannoni had a successful career in advertising – which included positions as president, managing direc- tor and CEO at various companies – before heading up the trust.
She said that company bosses had a responsibility to recognise women’s achievements in the workplace, but teachers must also play a role.
“We hope by giving girls the skills and confidence to ask those difficult questions, they will create more positive outcomes for themselves and also help pave the way for future generations.
“Negotiating skills are skills for life,” she said. “To different degrees and in different situations, you may use them every day. Whether it’s asking for that pay rise or discussing your development priorities, to negotiating the terms of your mortgage or working out priorities with your partner or flatmates.” The negotiation courses will initially be only for sixthform students, but there are plans to make them available to girls of all ages as part of personal, social, health and economic lessons.
Schools in the trust include South Hampstead High School in north London and Oxford High School, where Dame Maggie Smith studied.