Wellbeing and pastoral care | Woldingham School

Health and wellbeing

We want each of our students to thrive as an individual, reaching their goals through a balanced, healthy and mindful approach. Promoting a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle and positive mental health is at the heart of Woldingham. Students are encouraged to work hard and play hard. Our approach is that a busy student is a happy student.

We have a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. This is supported in lessons, extra-curricular activities and as part of a supportive and nurturing environment.

Woldingham’s Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum runs as our unique THRIVE programme which helps girls to face up to the challenges and pressures of modern life with confidence and resilience. Girls in Years 7 to 9 receive health education and from Year 10 onwards, tutors and external speakers lead senior students to a greater understanding of their individual responsibility for looking after themselves and keeping each other safe.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a top priority at Woldingham, underpinned by our Safeguarding Policy. While safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, this area of school life is overseen by Miss Taryn Bennett, Woldingham’s Deputy Head Safeguarding (acting). She is supported by a team of deputy safeguarding staff who meet regularly to provide guidance and assurance. Oversight and monitoring of the implementation of the school’s Safeguarding Policy rests with two governors - Judge Ifey Munonyedi and Mrs Julia Connor, who are the designated members of the Board of Governors for safeguarding. They can be contacted through the school office.

All staff receive regular training throughout the year to keep up to date with best practice and in term time parents receive weekly updates on a wide range of safeguarding and wellbeing issues.

There are extensive systems and practices in place to identify issues and support students. We have a 24-hour nurse-led health centre and counselling teams to provide additional expertise and support to our pastoral team of teaching and residential staff.

Health centre and wellness rooms

Our on-site health centre, staffed by qualified nurses, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week during term time. Surgeries are held morning and evening. The school doctor visits three times a week. All boarders are registered with the school doctor. Dentist, orthodontic and optometrist appointments can be arranged by the school at local practices.

We have dedicated wellness rooms in Main House and in the Sixth Form which students can use if they need a quiet space for contemplation. There is also plenty of outdoor space in our beautiful 700 acres, as well as other quiet spaces such as the library. Teaching and pastoral staff are always available for students to support them through the ups and downs of teenage life.

Giving back

Woldingham has an active programme to give back to our community – both locally and more widely.

There is a strong tradition of charity fundraising at Woldingham. Each House selects a charity to support for the year. Not only do the chosen charities benefit, but organising events and fundraising initiatives provides girls with opportunities to be creative and work together in different age groups.

Each tutor group organises its own charity event too. Cake sales always prove popular! Individual girls, or groups, regularly volunteer to raise money for charities they have an affinity with.

As a school, Woldingham engages in an outreach programme with the local community, led by Fr Gerry Devlin and assisted by Sixth Form students. We support the Cardinal Hume Centre, which works with poor and marginalised people and communities. Students volunteer to visit local nursing homes, work in local charity shops and help local primary school children with their reading. Our students also work with students at the nearby Orpheus Centre in Godstone, which works with young adults with disability to develop their confidence and skills through the performing arts.

Even greater emphasis is placed on community and outreach in the Sixth Form.

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