Every year on 8th March, people around the world come together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). This is both an opportunity to recognise the contributions of women across society and reflect on how we can continue to promote equitable outcomes for all.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026, “Give to Gain,” highlights the power of generosity, collaboration and community. It reminds us that when individuals and organisations support others – either by sharing expertise, mentoring colleagues or creating opportunities for growth – everyone benefits.
Working within education, we see the principle of “Give to Gain” in action every day. Teachers dedicate their time and expertise to supporting students, staff collaborate and share ideas to create better learning experiences, and whole school communities come together to ensure every young person has the chance to thrive.
We know that women make up a significant majority of the education workforce in the UK, accounting for around 74% of teachers in state-funded schools as of the 2024/25 academic year. From teachers and teaching assistants to school leaders, governors, and support staff, women play a vital role in shaping the life outcomes of the next generation. Their commitment and leadership helps to create classrooms where pupils can achieve their full potential.
This year’s theme calls on us to reflect on the power of reciprocity. So how can we extend the same support to those who contribute so much to education every day?
The Benefits of Coaching in Schools
Coaching is a powerful way to promote professional growth, reflection and support. Through one-to-one conversations with a qualified coach, individuals can explore their aspirations as well as the possible barriers they want to overcome. Crucially, coaching provides school leaders and teachers with dedicated time to step back from the rush of the school day and reflect on the next step of their professional development.
When embedded effectively, coaching can bring a number of benefits to schools and trusts:
- Boosts professional confidence
- Builds a culture of shared leadership
- Prevent burnout and promotes resilience
- Conversations shift from compliance to curiosity
- Staff move from isolation to collaboration
- Leadership becomes distributed, not top-down
Create a Coaching Culture with One Education
Although coaching has enormous potential to strengthen schools, it is still relatively new in many education settings, and leaders are often unsure where to start or how to embed it effectively across their organisation.
Our specialists can also provide training on developing a coaching culture within your setting, motivating your staff to work together to achieve a range of ambitions, from whole school priorities to individual goals.
As this year’s International Women’s Day campaign reminds us: giving is not a subtraction, it’s multiplication. By equipping staff with the skills to coach and support one another, schools can build a coaching culture where continuous learning, development, and growth stands at the heart of school life.
We can all play our part this International Women’s Day. Whether you’re giving time, knowledge, resources, or opportunity – everyone can help to promote women’s equality and champion progress for all.
To find out more about our support, explore our School Development services or get in touch.
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