How many women from history did you learn about when you were at school? Like me, you perhaps sought out women’s stories (I was an avid reader of books about fantastic females from history), but how many women’s stories featured on the curriculum?

Since my school days representation of women in our culture has become stronger although, as an actor, I still despair when I see the number of films, plays and TV programmes that come out with men as the lead characters, with male stories being told. Have a look at the faces on film posters next time new ones are released. There still seems to be a sense that female stories are not as interesting, or as important.

And so, I believe – as I’m sure you do as educators – that the change starts here. With children, at primary school. If we want women’s stories to be told and represented, children – both boys and girls – need to learn about them now. That way, we can change the narrative.

I love the way children listen to and engage with these stories – some of the women they are aware of, and some are new to them. I hear their gasps and see their serious considerations about the situations these women found themselves in. I am stirred when they join Rosa Parks in a protest march and chant for justice. I am delighted at the things they tell me they would like to achieve – across the spectrum of the Arts, Sciences, in Politics, Justice and Exploration – having been inspired by the stories they have just heard.

I hope these children will go on to pursue their dreams, both boys and girls knowing it is possible for women’s stories to have an equal place with men’s. Maybe these artists of the future will write the films, make the sculptures and create the curriculums, so that one day the presence of women in history and our everyday lives will be as prominent as men.