At the start of term, I delivered an assembly focused on building confidence and self-belief, and on how young people can approach challenges with courage and openness rather than fear. The inspiration for this assembly came from the charity I Can and I Am, whose mission is to equip young people with practical tools that foster personal growth, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging.
Today’s young people face immense pressures in many areas of their lives. Social media, in particular, amplifies comparison and creates an unspoken expectation to be constantly available. Questions such as How many likes? How many followers? How many views? can quietly chip away at self-worth and erode confidence. While social media certainly has its benefits, too much exposure can affect mental health and wellbeing negatively, and the dopamine release associated with it can be addictive.
Alongside this, academic pressure weighs heavily on many students. Assessments can begin to feel like judgements of personal worth rather than opportunities for learning and growth. Too often, young people define themselves by what they cannot do, rather than recognising what they can do. It is therefore unsurprising that many struggle with low self-esteem and self-doubt.
As I walk around school and speak with our girls, I occasionally hear phrases such as, “I’m rubbish at Maths” or “I’ll never be good at hockey”. This kind of negative self-talk can deflate confidence before it has even had the chance to grow.
After more than 20 years working in schools, and particularly in recent years as Head of this beautiful school, I have realised that the most rewarding part of my role is helping students build their confidence and, above all, their self-belief. Self-belief is not about being the loudest voice in the room; it is about knowing your own value and having the courage to keep going, even when things feel difficult.
Self-belief does not mean being fearless. Rather, it gives us the confidence to try new things, make decisions, and take risks, even when the outcome is uncertain. It is that quiet inner voice that says, “I can do this”, whether the challenge is big or small.
In many ways, I always knew I would join Northampton High School and the GDST. Our values are simple yet powerful: we believe in every one of our girls, and we support them to believe in themselves. This belief lies at the heart of why I wanted to be here and aligns so closely with my own passion for helping young people recognise who they are and what they are capable of achieving.
Celebrating success plays a crucial role in this journey. Whether it is mastering a new skill, persevering through a challenge, or simply showing kindness, every achievement matters. Celebrating both effort and progress, however small, reinforces the message I can and strengthens self-belief.
To explain this idea, I often use the metaphor of a balloon. Imagine that each child has a balloon. When that balloon is full of air, they feel confident, resilient, and ready to face the challenges of school life. Our role, as parents, teachers and mentors, is to help keep those balloons inflated with a sense of “I can do it”.
Sometimes, without meaning to, adults can deflate those balloons by focusing solely on areas for improvement. Instead, we must shift the narrative and remind young people of their unique strengths, qualities and potential. A deflated balloon represents low self-esteem and a lack of resilience. Building self-belief does not happen overnight; it grows through consistent encouragement and opportunities to experience both success and failure in a supportive environment.
So why does self-belief matter? It is not a “nice to have” – it is the foundation for future success in education, careers and relationships. When a young person believes in themselves, they are more willing to take risks, embrace opportunities, and learn from setbacks. I have seen first-hand the transformation that occurs when a young person’s balloon is filled. They stand taller, approach challenges with confidence, and believe they have the tools to achieve great things.
Every child deserves to believe they are good enough. As the adults guiding and supporting their journey, it is our shared responsibility to nurture self-belief, build confidence, and prioritise a positive, empowering approach to learning. At Northampton High School GDST, we are proud that our girls-first ethos, combined with the joy of learning without limits, enables young people to develop resilience, flourish academically and personally, and go on to lead lives without limits.
Dr May Lee – Head