News Spotlight on Personal Development: Mrs Holder Featured on the Education Corner Podcast 05.11.2025

We are thrilled to share that our Deputy Head (Pastoral), Mrs Holder, has been featured on the Education Corner Podcast and in the latest edition of Education Choices magazine. In these conversations, she discusses her professional journey from social work to pastoral leadership, as well as the philosophy and innovations shaping pastoral care at our school — including our new Personal Development Curriculum.

In the podcast, Mrs Holder explores our ethos of nurturing confident, compassionate, and resilient young women. She reflects on the challenges young people face today and how our pastoral approach empowers our girls to try new things, embrace challenges, and develop self-agency. Mrs Holder also introduces our new Personal Development Curriculum, a threefold model designed to help pupils understand themselves, engage with others, and explore the wider world:

1. Self – building healthy routines, wellbeing, and personal safety, alongside resilience, moral character, and strong learning habits.
2. Society – focusing on relationships and community; pupils learn to communicate effectively, form meaningful friendships, take on leadership roles, and contribute to their communities.
3. World – encouraging outward thinking through engagement with current affairs, sustainability, financial literacy, and global culture — fostering curiosity and informed citizenship.

Together, these strands form a holistic framework that supports resilience, confidence, and character development across all areas of school life.

Mrs Holder also highlights the advantages of an all-girls education, the support provided by our Higher Education Department with university applications, the IB Diploma, and our exciting new Innovation and Leadership Course.

The full interview offers an inspiring insight into how we prepare our pupils not just for academic success, but for life beyond school — well worth a listen and a read!