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The mental health and wellbeing of the girls in our care is paramount.
Our strong pastoral network, dedicated tutors, and the extensive peer support within our houses create an environment where each girl’s wellbeing is valued just as highly as her academic progress.
In addition to our pastoral support, we also offer access to trained counsellors, led by Heddy Smith, who provide specialised help and guidance for those who need it.
Sherborne Girls has been built on the foundation of Christian faith and values and these continue to shape our community through lives of service, empathy, honesty, integrity, humility, forgiveness, and generosity. In our diverse community, we encourage girls to engage with and reflect upon their own faith and values, whilst being respectful and seeking to understand the beliefs of others.
As a school, we meet three times a week as a whole school for the Head’s Assembly and Prayers, where staff and girls as a whole school community share thoughts on issues of the day. Girls of all faiths and none are encouraged to take part. Prayer and reflection are encouraged within houses, with grace being said at some meals, regular informal ‘PJ prayers’ in the evenings, quiet meditations, and House prayers.
Sunday services are either in Sherborne Abbey or in the Gransden Hall. Roman Catholic girls are encouraged to attend the local Catholic church and have the opportunity to be confirmed alongside pupils from Sherborne School and Leweston. Anglican Confirmation takes place every year, following preparation classes led by the Chaplain.
We have a chaplaincy team that includes staff (Chaplain, Assistant Chaplain, Worship group leader, Catholic confirmation, and CU leader), 4 prefects (U6), and representatives in L6 from each house. There is a busy schedule of chaplaincy events throughout the year, including a visiting gospel/worship band, PJ prayers, the Lent Project, and the Abbey at Night.
Revd. Katie Windle,
Chaplain
Sherborne Girls is committed to promoting the lifelong physical and mental health benefits of regular physical activity and a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Our goal is to provide all pupils with enjoyable and fulfilling experiences while equipping them—through education and practice—with the knowledge and personal strategies needed to manage their mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
Focusing on the "Five Ways to Achieving Wellbeing," we promote themed wellbeing months and weeks throughout the year. These initiatives are supported by posters, in-house presentations, and activities such as Press Pause Day—a dedicated opportunity for pupils to focus on their personal wellbeing. Assemblies, led by our three Upper Sixth Wellbeing Prefects and twelve Lower Sixth ambassadors, further embed wellbeing education across the school community.
At Sherborne Girls, pupils’ wellbeing is valued as equally important as their academic progress.
The Health Centre provides high-quality, evidence-based healthcare, promoting lifelong physical and emotional wellbeing. At the heart of the Sherborne Girls community, the team is dedicated to delivering the best possible care through a holistic approach—considering not only physical health but also social, psychological, cultural, and religious factors.
Staffed 24/7 during term time by a qualified nurse, the Health Centre offers a range of services, from managing acute medical issues to supporting pupils with chronic conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, and allergies. If a pupil becomes unwell and requires inpatient care, the centre has eight beds available for recovery, alongside a pupil lounge and a sensory room designed for relaxation and mental wellbeing. As part of this holistic approach, a therapy room is available for visiting specialists, including a physiotherapist, reflexologist, hypnotherapist, and nutritionist.
All boarding pupils are registered with the Grove Medical Centre under the care of Dr. Thomas and Dr. Middle, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each pupil’s health needs. GP clinics are held in the Health Centre every weekday from 8:00–9:00 am, during which the nursing team provides vaccinations, phlebotomy services, and sample collection. Outside of clinic hours, the GPs work closely with the nursing team to provide ongoing support and assistance.
At Sherborne Girls we have a strong and positive culture of safeguarding. We are committed to ensuring that the welfare and safety of every pupil is at the heart of everything we do, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment (link to Safe Recruitment/Recruitment pages?). Our pupils benefit from outstanding Pastoral care (link to Pastoral/Wellbeing pages?) whatever their individual needs are. We have a dedicated Safeguarding Team:
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who can be contacted at anytime is:
Leonie Cole (DSL)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01935 818305
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Jessica Briggs, Debbie Miller, Mrs Alice Beard, Ian McClary and Jayne Dart.
You can read our full safeguarding policy here.
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