How Pastoral Care in Girls’ Schools Supports Healthy Teenage Development

Why Pastoral Care Matters in Girls’ Schools

At Redmaids’ High GDST, exceptional pastoral care sits at the heart of our school, creating a nurturing environment where every girl is known and empowered to flourish. Within a culture intentionally designed to be emotionally safe and relationally supportive, students are more likely to participate openly, take intellectual risks, and express themselves without fear of judgement. In contrast to mixed settings where peer dynamics can inhibit confidence or amplify self-consciousness, strong pastoral structures in girls’ schools foster empathy, mutual trust and respect. By creating a space where students feel genuinely seen and heard, effective pastoral care does more than protect
well-being; it nurtures confidence, deepens engagement and supports meaningful academic growth.

What Pastoral Care Initiatives do we have at Redmaids’ High?

At Redmaids’ High, pastoral care is not an afterthought; it is fully integrated into every aspect of school life. Here’s how our holistic approach helps support healthy teenage development and why these principles matter for any independent girls’ school committed to the well-being and growth of its students.

• A Dedicated Pastoral Team

Our professional pastoral team is extensive, made up of the Deputy Head Pastoral & DSL, Safeguarding Manager, Heads of Year, Assistant Heads of Year, three school nurses and three in-school counsellors. This reflects a deep commitment to both physical and mental well-being and demonstrates to students and parents that pastoral care is taken seriously here.

• Consistent Mentoring Through Tutor and Form-Time Relationships

Each student has a Form Tutor who they meet with every morning – not just to support academic progress, but to nurture emotional well-being and personal growth.

Our dedicated and experienced Year 7 tutor team warmly supports students as they transition from junior to senior school, helping them feel confident and settled in their new environment. Students then have a new Form Tutor in Year 8 who will remain with them through to Year 11. This continuity fosters stability, trust and a deep understanding of each student’s individual journey.

This kind of long-term mentoring helps girls navigate adolescence with greater confidence – whether they need support with friendships, self-esteem, academic pressure or life choices.

• Well-being Ambassadors: Peer Support and Leadership

Our Year 12 students can apply to become Well-being Ambassadors after completing a six-week counselling course and safeguarding training. Equipped with these skills, they provide guidance and support to younger students, both individually and in groups, as part of our peer mentoring programme.

This initiative not only offers meaningful support and advice to students in the lower years but also allows Year 12 students to develop valuable leadership and interpersonal skills while giving back to the school community. The programme encourages greater cohesion across year groups and strengthens connections throughout the school. Well-being Ambassadors also take a leading role in initiatives such as Anti-Bullying Week and support a variety of mental health and well-being projects, fostering a culture of care, empathy, and inclusion across the school.

• Pastoral Programmes: Happiness Hub and Year 12 Breakfast Club

For our Year 7 students, the Happiness Hub offers small-group sessions led by member of staff trained in counselling, focusing on themes that matter most at this stage, such as building friendships, understanding communication styles, and exploring personal values. These sessions provide a safe and supportive space for students to grow in confidence, develop their self-awareness, and feel connected to their peers.

For Year 12, Breakfast Club held every Thursday morning, creates a welcoming space to discuss important topics such as managing stress and anxiety. Led by two of our counsellors, students share experiences, learn practical strategies, and support one another through open, age-appropriate conversations. Both programmes nurture well-being, resilience, and a sense of community, helping students feel supported and empowered throughout their school journey.

• Thoughtful PSHE Curriculum

Learning about ourselves, relationships, health and navigating modern challenges is vital, which is why our PSHE programme is woven into the broader pastoral framework. Through regular PSHE lessons and specialist teaching, students engage with essential topics – from mental well-being and digital literacy to health education, relationships and self-esteem. External workshops, guest speakers and interactive sessions (e.g. first-aid, mental health talks) deepen this learning and make it relevant.

For teenage girls, a thoughtfully delivered PSHE curriculum is often where they learn the emotional literacy, resilience and self-awareness that help them grow with balance and confidence. You can read our blog by Alice Hinks, Head of PSHE at Redmaids’ High here to find out more about what PSHE looks like in a modern school environment.

• Encouraging Community, Friendship and Belonging

Growing up in a supportive community makes a profound difference. At Redmaids’ High, every student matters, and the school fosters a strong sense of identity, connection and belonging through year-group cohesion, a house system, and shared interests across clubs, sports, music, drama, and more. These opportunities help students build meaningful friendships, develop social confidence, and feel fully integrated into the school community. Feeling valued and included strengthens emotional resilience and supports mental well-being, all of which are vital during the teenage years.

• Partnership with Families

We recognise that parents/carers are vital partners in a student’s development. Hence, we firmly believe in Parenting in Partnership which encourages active communication and collaboration between school and home, ensuring that every student benefits from consistent support. As part of this initiative, we run a series of informative and engaging termly pastoral lectures. In addition, we offer Tooled Up Education, an online platform that provides our families with instant access to a comprehensive library of research-based resources, designed to support your daughter’s development through early adulthood and beyond.

Pastoral Care as the Foundation of Teenage Well-Being

At Redmaids’ High GDST, and in any girls’ school that prioritises pastoral care, the support system is designed to nurture the whole student: academically, emotionally, socially and personally.

For parents and carers considering an independent education for their daughters, pastoral care is a fundamental priority. Healthy teenage development depends not only on what girls learn in the classroom, but also on how safe, supported and valued they feel every day.

By integrating professional pastoral staff, committed mentorship, PSHE education, community spirit and partnership with families, schools like ours create an environment where girls can grow into confident, resilient and compassionate young women – ready for life beyond the classroom.

If you would like to find out more about how we can support your daughter at Redmaids' High GDST we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us here.