There’s something truly magical about walking through the gates of our all-girls junior school. And this year, on the first day back, that magic was quite literally in the air. Bubbles floated across the playground, joyful music played and inflatable unicorns greeted the girls as they arrived, wide-eyed and beaming. It was more than just a celebration; it was a message: you belong here, and we are so happy to see you.
That sense of belonging is at the very heart of what makes our all-girls school so special. From Nursery to Year 6, our girls see The Abbey School not just as a place to learn, but as a second home, a place where they are surrounded by sisters, not just classmates and where every member of staff knows and cares for them as individuals and as part of one big family.
Our warm welcome was more than just fun (though fun is important!). It was a reflection of the joyful, nurturing, and empowering environment we strive to create every single day. In an all-girls school, we are able to design every moment, from their earliest days in Nursery to leadership roles in Lower III, with the specific needs, interests and potential of girls in mind.
We know that girls thrive when they feel seen and supported. They grow in confidence when they’re encouraged to be brave, to ask questions, to challenge ideas and to lead without hesitation. Here, they are free to be their full, wonderful selves.
From their very first day, girls are surrounded by older students from the Junior and Senior School who take them under their wing. Whether it’s a Lower III helping a Lower Prep child find her coat, or girls across the years embracing and waving across the dining hall and playgrounds, there is a strong sense that we rise together.
Our girls support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and learn how to be kind, resilient and courageous together. This sisterly bond grows naturally in an all-girls environment where girls never have to compete for space or attention. Every voice matters. Every friendship is honoured. Every milestone is shared.
In our classrooms, girls are exploring, creating, solving problems, expressing themselves, and confidently sharing their ideas. There are no “boys’ subjects” or “girls’ activities” — everything is for everyone. And because of that, our girls develop a strong sense of self-belief and confidence from the very beginning.
We also place great value on risk-taking, a core characteristic from The Abbey Learner Profile. Whether it’s raising a hand to share a new idea, trying a new coding challenge, or mastering a tricky gymnastics move, our girls are encouraged to take on challenges with curiosity and courage. This spirit of adventurous learning is not only celebrated but carefully supported, helping them grow both in skill and in confidence.
This term, our focus on risk-taking has taken many joyful forms. One such moment saw girls zooming across the playground on wheely body boards, learning how to move in new ways, test their balance, and trust themselves, all while giggling with friends. It’s in moments like these that girls learn that taking risks can be fun, empowering, and most importantly, safe. They learn how to assess challenges, support one another, and persevere when something feels new or difficult.
Perhaps the most special part of our school is the feeling that runs through it. Whether they are 3 or 11, girls know they are known and valued for who they are. Staff, parents, and students work together to create a place where girls feel safe, supported and empowered to become exactly who they are meant to be.
That first day back, with its music, bubbles and unicorns, wasn’t just a one-off celebration. It was a reflection of who we are all year round: a joyful, inclusive, all-girls school where childhood is cherished and individuality is celebrated.
I am so proud to lead a school that feels like this, where girls grow up not only learning, but laughing, leading, and lifting each other up every step of the way.
Beccy Newton, Junior School Head