An independent school for girls aged three to eighteen has been recognised for its commitment to supporting student wellbeing.
Norwich High School for Girls GDST on Newmarket Road was officially commended and shortlisted for the Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing award at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, with the finalists to be announced in September.
Alongside a varied curriculum, student wellbeing sits at the heart of school life, shaping everything from classroom practice and staff training to student leadership opportunities and pastoral support.
For many high‑achieving girls, the pressure to excel can sometimes feel overwhelming, occasionally leading to anxiety or a quiet sense of isolation. Norwich High has responded with a deliberate shift from traditional pastoral support to a deep‑rooted culture of 'mattering', inspired by the Zach Mercurio model.
The school operates on a simple but powerful truth: every girl’s presence adds value, and her voice is indispensable.
This year, staff study days were dedicated to auditing school culture to ensure that, from classrooms to sports fields, every pupil feels seen, heard and valued.
The impact is clear: in the school's recent Undivided Survey, 97pc of students reported that their unique identity is respected.
“We want to make sure that every child feels that they do matter; that they are valued in school and are valuable to the school,” said Helen Dolding, deputy head – pastoral at Norwich High School for Girls.
The concept of 'mattering' has become a central part of Norwich High's wellbeing strategy. Rather than simply telling students that they are included, the school actively creates opportunities for them to contribute and make a positive impact on school life.
School council meetings and pupil forums are largely student-led, with pupils setting agendas, chairing discussions and sharing outcomes with peers. Their feedback has informed decisions ranging from school policies to social activities.
"By feeling that they matter within school, they build confidence locally and then have the skills to go out and make a difference in their local communities or even further afield,” said Helen.
This was evidenced when, last year, Norwich High launched EmpowerHer, a city-wide event designed and led by the students, featuring student-run workshops on resilience and self-esteem, talks from keynote speakers and networking opportunities for young women.
Supporting the culture of “mattering” is a significant investment in staff development. Training now includes a dedicated pastoral learning carousel, with staff rotating between a series of different sessions led by key pastoral speakers.
“Our pupils have a wider range of strengths, experiences and individual needs than ever before. The world young people are growing up in has changed significantly over the past 15 years, and naturally, the way we teach and support them in the classroom has evolved too,” said Helen.
“We've moved towards a more co-ordinated and contextual overview of each child and done much more to link together the academic teams, pastoral support and SEND department.”
Norwich High has introduced several wellbeing initiatives to help pupils feel safe and supported in school.
One of the most innovative is the RESET programme, which is designed alongside education on emotional regulation to support students.
Proactive resilience is further strengthened through the school’s Beyond extra‑curricular modules, where students explore wellbeing activities such as bullet journalling, crochet, student librarianship, outdoor learning and sustainability projects.
Alongside these sit future‑ready opportunities such as debating, public speaking and practical life skills including basic car maintenance.
Together, these experiences help students build confidence, independence and a strong sense of agency.
This balanced approach ensures an atmosphere of high support, genuine care and purposeful skills‑building.
Norwich High has also invested in refurbishing its wellbeing lodge and fifth form common room areas, with design help from the students who use them regularly.
“Students can use the Lodge before school, after school, at break and lunch,” explained Helen. "It hosts the school nurse, counsellors, safeguarding and attendance support, and the RESET provision.
"For some students it is their safe space. It's there when it's needed.”
A similar designated area, called Base Camp, is also available for younger pupils in Norwich High’s prep school.
A proactive relationship between the school and parents has been key to Norwich High’s student wellbeing initiatives.
Staff co-produce emotional regulation support plans with families before the school year starts, allowing support to be put in place from the outset, Helen explained.
“We're also making sure parents are kept informed when support measures such as RESET are being used,” she added.
As the academic year reached its end, the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026 offered Norwich High a chance to reflect, and several students offered feedback for the application.
"They came back with such lovely comments,” Helen said. “Some said they wouldn't be able to get into school without the support they receive, others spoke about the importance of the Lodge.
"Going through the award process helped us appreciate our team, our staff and everything that we provide for students."
Helen added: "The true measure of our wellbeing programme isn’t just how we support our girls while they are here, but how it prepares them for the world beyond our gates.
"We could not be prouder of our girls. They are leaving us not just with brilliant minds, but as resilient, emotionally literate young women who know exactly who they are – and who leave us knowing they matter."
Families are invited to visit Norwich High this autumn. The whole school open morning will take place on Saturday, September 26 and the sixth form open evening will follow on Thursday, October 1.
Both events offer the chance to meet staff and students, explore the site and get a feel for life at the school.
Book your place via norwichhigh.gdst.net/open-events
For more information on Norwich High School for Girls, please visit norwichhigh.gdst.net
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