Nurturing the Individual
Pastoral care in the Senior School is built on a simple principle: every girl is known, valued, and supported as an individual. Our experienced team works closely with each student, providing the guidance and encouragement she needs to develop at her own pace and in her own time. We strive to create an environment where every girl feels secure, confident, and able to flourish both academically and personally.
Our approach not only ensures that students know how to seek support or advice when they need it, but also helps them grow into problem-solvers, empathetic friends, and responsible members of the school community. This strong foundation enables them to become balanced, compassionate, and resilient young women, ready to make a positive contribution to the world around them.
Working Hard, Playing Hard
A vibrant school life is central to our pastoral philosophy. We encourage girls not only to study and work with commitment but also to embrace joy, celebration, and shared experience. Our much-loved annual Colour Run is one example — a lively, inclusive event that brings the whole community together, creates lasting memories, and reinforces the message that achievement and wellbeing flourish when balanced with fun.
Beyond these flagship events, we place great emphasis on cultivating healthy habits. Sport and fitness are integral to the weekly timetable, helping girls build confidence, stamina, and an appreciation for active living. Nutrition also plays a central role, with guidance and education woven through form-time, wellbeing sessions, and our food provision, ensuring girls understand how to fuel their minds and bodies effectively.
Enrichment and Opportunity
Our students benefit from an extensive programme of enrichment activities, clubs, and leadership opportunities. Whether their interests lie in sport, performing arts, creative pursuits, STEM, community service, or outdoor adventure, there is always something to challenge, inspire, and motivate them. This variety enables girls to broaden their horizons, discover new passions, and develop confidence beyond the classroom.
Additional Educational Support
Small classes and skilled teachers allow us to deliver a “quality teaching first” approach, ensuring that most needs can be met within the classroom. However, we recognise that at different points in their schooling, girls may benefit from short-term additional support.
Through careful use of data, observations, and teacher assessments, we identify pupils who may gain from:
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targeted “boosters”
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small-group reinforcement
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short-term intervention sessions
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1:1 mentoring to build confidence or address specific skills
These interventions help girls reach their potential and maintain a positive relationship with learning.
Specialist Support for Specific Learning Needs
For girls with more defined learning profiles, we offer 1:1 sessions with our specialist dyslexia teacher, Mrs Harris. These sessions, arranged via the SENCo, Mrs Allen, carry an additional cost and are tailored to the individual needs of each learner.
Our provision is guided by the principles of the SEND Code of Practice (2014), emphasising early identification, timely intervention, and a personalised, graduated approach.
Key Features of Our SEND Support
Identification and Assessment:
Concerns are raised with the SENCo, who observes, assesses, and recommends approaches. If progress remains limited, further targeted support or specialist referrals may be considered.
One Page Profiles (OPPs):
Created in partnership with pupils, teachers, and parents, these outline strengths, needs, and effective strategies. They are shared with all relevant staff and updated termly.
Graduated Approach:
The Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle ensures interventions remain purposeful and responsive.
Parental Engagement:
We maintain open communication at every stage, with regular review meetings and collaborative planning.
Specialist Guidance:
Where appropriate, external professionals may be consulted to gain additional insight and recommendations.
Transition Planning:
OPPs and SEND information transfer seamlessly to the Senior School, ensuring continuity of support and a smooth transition.
Transition into Senior School
When girls join the Senior School, they become part of our Lower School community. We know that the transition can feel significant, whether students come from our Junior School or another local school, so we take great care to make this step feel smooth and supportive. Our pastoral system is deliberately designed around the needs of each girl, ensuring she quickly feels a sense of belonging and is able to settle academically, socially, and emotionally.
Tutor Groups and Mentoring
Every girl in the Lower School joins a tutor group led by an experienced tutor who provides daily support and oversight. For the first two years, tutor groups form the basis of most teaching, helping girls forge strong relationships and a shared identity within a familiar group.
To strengthen this support network, each Lower School pupil is also paired with a mentor — a member of teaching or support staff who meets with her regularly throughout her time in the Lower School. These meetings provide a space to discuss progress, celebrate achievements, and navigate any worries or challenges. The mentor becomes a trusted, approachable figure who knows each girl well and acts as a steady point of connection throughout her early Senior School journey.
We also encourage friendships across the year group, and a programme of activities helps girls widen their social circle, build confidence, and develop a sense of community beyond their immediate tutor group.
A Community That Cares
Girls at Burgess Hill Girls want to contribute, participate, and play their part in society. We nurture this by fostering a culture where every member of staff shares responsibility for the wellbeing of our students. Approachability, kindness, and active listening are central qualities we model and expect throughout the school.
Our partnership with parents is essential to this approach. Open communication and mutual trust ensure that each girl receives consistent, well-informed support across every aspect of school life.
A Reputation for Outstanding Care
We are proud of our long-standing reputation for exceptional pastoral care. Supporting each girl’s wellbeing is central to our mission; it underpins her happiness, confidence, and capacity to learn. Positive relationships lie at the heart of our community — between pupils, between staff and pupils, and between year groups.
Older girls play an influential role, offering guidance, friendship, and inspiration to younger pupils. This culture of leadership and collaboration strengthens the whole school community and ensures that no girl ever feels she has to navigate school life alone.
Encouraging Confidence, Character, and Wellbeing
Our pastoral care also extends into wider wellbeing initiatives, including:
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Wellbeing and resilience education embedded across the curriculum
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A proactive safeguarding culture, ensuring students always feel safe and supported
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Specialist staff, including pastoral leads and wellbeing professionals
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Opportunities that promote independence, teamwork, and emotional literacy
Together, these elements form a pastoral system that is holistic, responsive, and deeply committed to each girl’s individual journey.
