Equipping sixth form girls: leadership development journey

SistersIN

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

The ‘SistersIN’ Leadership Programme is designed to enhance girls’ leadership capacity and confidence among Sixth Form students. Committed to empowering young women, the SistersIN project focuses on advancing gender equity, inclusiveness, and youth development. By employing a holistic, evidence-based approach, the programme offers education and training, along with opportunities for engagement in leadership initiatives, thereby inspiring young women to realize their full potential.

The programme encompasses several key components, including leadership development training, mentorship from female business leaders, and project leadership experience. Our mission is to enable and empower female students in education, helping them discover their potential and explore new possibilities for their professional journeys. Ultimately, we aim to build their leadership capability and confidence, preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Country Information

With a rate of 13.6%, Northern Ireland (NI) currently has the lowest percentage of women-led companies in the UK. If NI were to achieve a female leadership rate comparable to that of England, it could lead to an increase of 3,134 women-led businesses.

Advancing gender equality is essential for fostering a flourishing society, as it contributes significantly to reducing poverty and enhancing the health, education, protection, and overall well-being of both girls and boys.

The Need

According to the Gender Gap Index, it will take an estimated 132 years to achieve gender parity across four key dimensions: economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political representation. This prolonged gap underscores the urgent social need to address the barriers faced by women, which include limited access to learning opportunities, challenges in securing promotions, restricted entry into leadership positions, and ongoing disparities in pay equity.

These obstacles hinder women’s advancement and overall well-being, highlighting the necessity for targeted initiatives that promote equality and ensure that women can fully participate and thrive in all aspects of society.

The Project We Fund

The SistersIN Programme consists of three interconnected strands: Leadership Skills Curriculum, Leadership Projects, and Mentoring. The leadership modules are delivered in schools to equip pupils with essential skills for the professional world. In the second strand, students lead their own projects reflecting SistersIN’s values, such as mentoring support clubs, Eco Clubs, mental well-being activities, and initiatives addressing period poverty. Each participant is paired with a female mentor who shares insights about her profession through at least five virtual mentoring sessions, providing students exposure to female role models and various career options.

The programme runs annually from September to June, with a structured calendar that supports the growth of participating pupils from diverse backgrounds across Northern Ireland. After the July and August registration, an onboarding phase matches students with dedicated mentors. Throughout the year, monthly mentor sessions, networking events, and skills workshops focus on leadership, career readiness, and personal growth. Endorsed by the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute, SistersIN also offers industry masterclasses, workplace visits, and panel discussions. The programme concludes in June with a celebratory event, allowing pupils to reflect on their achievements and personal growth over the year.

The Result

A key objective of the SistersIN programme is to bolster students’ self-confidence, leaving them inspired about the numerous career opportunities ahead and empowered to step into leadership roles. To track the programme’s impact, we collect pre-, mid-, and post-programme evaluation questionnaires to ensure relevancy and promote continuous feedback.

Our Impact Report for the 23/24 programme year revealed significant outcomes: a 40% uplift in pupils’ confidence, a 22% increase in self-awareness, and 93% of pupils applying leadership skills learned.

Additionally, 87% of participants achieved their goals, reflecting a 48% rise in insight into the work environment and improved clarity regarding career options for 72% of pupils. Mentors and teachers also noted positive developments, with 63% of mentors and 80% of teachers observing improvements across all ten leadership skills.

2025 Midterm Report

SistersIN midterm report reveals a 47% increase in confidence among pupils and an impressive 97% application of newly acquired leadership skills. This progress is largely due to the exceptional mentors who have helped SistersIN double their mentorship community this year and expand organizational partnerships by 91%. As SistersIN continues to grow, their dedication to inspiring and empowering future leaders remains unwavering.

Testimonies

“My biggest takeaway was that my confidence improved greatly and my leadership skills which I saw as I lead groups outside school. It was an amazing opportunity which I’m glad I took part in.”

“I have learned that not only do I have to confidence and ability to stand up and share my opinions, but that there are people who are willing to listen to what I have to say. I have learned that my words, opinions and actions have value not only for me, but for others around me.”

“My mentor taught me a crucial lesson that often challenges common misconceptions about leadership. A leader isn’t necessarily the loudest or most skilled person in the room. True leadership is about listening, understanding and empowering others.”