Pastoral & Wellbeing
The wellbeing of the girls at Sherborne Girls is paramount.
Our strong pastoral network, dedicated tutors, and the extensive peer support within our Houses create an environment where each girl’s wellbeing and mental health is valued just as highly as her academic progress.
Wellbeing Programme
Our Wellbeing programme encourages a healthy, balanced lifestyle and highlights the lifelong benefits of regular physical activity and positive mental health. Through education, reflection and practice, we help girls develop the personal strategies they need to care for their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Guided by the Five Ways to Wellbeing, we run themed wellbeing weeks and months throughout the year. Highlights include Press Pause Day—a dedicated opportunity for pupils and staff to focus on themselves —as well as in-house activities, assemblies and resources. Assemblies led by our Wellbeing Prefects in Upper Sixth and a team of Lower Sixth ambassadors, help embed wellbeing education across the school community.
Alongside our strong pastoral network, girls have access to professional counselling, led by Heddy Smith, offering specialist support when needed.
Chaplaincy
Sherborne Girls is built on a foundation of Christian faith and values.
These continue to shape our community, fostering empathy, honesty, humility, service and generosity in all that we do.
As a school community, we gather three times a week for Assemblies and Prayers, where girls and staff share reflections on current issues and themes. Girls of all faiths, and none, are invited to take part. Within houses, we create moments of quiet reflection through PJ Prayers, mealtime grace, meditations and House prayers.
On Sundays, we worship in Sherborne Abbey or Gransden Hall, and Roman Catholic girls attend the local church with the option to prepare for Confirmation alongside pupils from Sherborne School and Leweston. Anglican Confirmation is offered annually.
My Chaplaincy team includes staff, prefects and Sixth Form representatives from each House, who help shape a vibrant spiritual life within the school.
The calendar includes events such as the Lent Project, Abbey at Night, visiting gospel bands, and regular evening reflections.
Whatever a girl’s background, we provide space for thoughtful conversation, stillness and spiritual growth — nurturing inner strength and a sense of purpose that will stay with her long after she leaves.
Revd. Katie Windle, Chaplain
We are a diverse and inclusive school, and we encourage every girl to explore her own beliefs, reflect on her values and engage respectfully with the faith traditions of others.
Safeguarding
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. Our pupils benefit from outstanding Pastoral care whatever their individual needs.
We have a dedicated Safeguarding Team —
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who can be contacted at anytime is:
Leonie Cole (DSL)
Tel: 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.
Health Centre
At the heart of the Sherborne Girls community, the Health Centre 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 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 asthma, diabetes and allergies. There are eight beds, 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, who hold GP clinics in the Health Centre every weekday.
