Sherborne Girls has once again put the power of a good night’s sleep firmly on the timetable.
The school’s latest Sleep Week encouraged pupils to slow down, recharge and develop healthy habits around rest and recovery.
First introduced in 2020, Sleep Week is now an established part of life at Sherborne Girls, taking place four times a year, recognising the importance of sleep for pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing.
During Sleep Week, mornings take on a more relaxed pace, with pupils waking later and enjoying breakfast in pyjamas rather than rushing to morning assemblies. Bedtimes are brought forward, while House activities are designed to encourage pupils to relax and spend time together.
Activities during the latest week included hot chocolate and PJ prayers, mindful origami, film nights, pancake making and time to unwind with friends. Pupils were also encouraged to experiment with different bedtime routines, from herbal teas and weighted blankets to pillow sprays.
Richard Gent, Housemaster at Sherborne Girls, said: “The quality of our sleep has a huge impact on our physical and mental health, especially important in a busy boarding environment.
“Nurturing the health and wellbeing of pupils is at the heart of the pastoral care we provide at Sherborne Girls.
“Our Sleep Weeks give them the chance to grab a little more downtime in their busy schedules and to spend more time relaxing with friends, at a slower pace.”
Arabella, an Upper Sixth pupil, said: “An extra hour of sleep during Sleep Week left me feeling less tired and more energetic throughout the day, giving me more time to properly unwind after a long day at school.”
Sleep Week also forms part of the school’s approach to athletic development, helping pupils understand the relationship between rest, recovery and physical performance.
Wayne Pattinson, Head of Athletic Development at Sherborne Girls, said: “Sleep is arguably the biggest recovery tool on the planet, and the best thing about it is that it is free. You cannot out-train poor recovery, and helping the girls understand this is an important part of our approach to athletic development.
“Getting girls talking about how much they are sleeping helps them start to take ownership of their own wellbeing and understand the connection between what they do away from training and how they perform when they are training.
“Athletic Development is not just about making girls stronger, faster or fitter. It is about giving them the knowledge, confidence and habits to look after themselves.”
Categories: School News Sherborne Girls
