Head

About the School

Tormead is a 4 to 18 GSA girls’ day school on an attractive site in Guildford. Building developments over the past ten years have transformed the School. The gracious original features of the building have been retained within the stunning new developments. Academic standards are consistently high, and the School has more girls applying than it has places for at 11+. A number arrive in Reception and stay through to Sixth Form; others arrive from a large range of state and independent schools at 11+.

Having participated in a dynamic careers programme, Sixth Formers progress to a wide range of courses at established universities, as well as take up prestigious apprenticeships. The School achieved ‘excellent’ in both parts of its last ISI inspection. Our commitment to IT innovation has led us to achieve the status of becoming an Apple Distinguished School.

Tormead values individuality, celebrates a diversity of achievement and encourages girls to follow their own dreams. Girls come to understand the importance of service and community amidst mutual support. Academic and extra-curricular pursuits offer challenge and breadth for everyone.

Underpinning this is a wholehearted commitment to the wellbeing of the girls. Highly responsive in the face of the constant, shifting challenges for young people, pastoral care at the School ensures the girls leave ready to achieve sustainable success in higher education and beyond.

Our Values:

• We treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• We deliver academic excellence.
• We enrich through a broad and varied curriculum.
• We celebrate effort and achievement.
• We bring out the best in our girls.
• We prepare our girls for life beyond school.

Leadership:

The Head leads the whole school with the support of a leadership team in the Senior School and one in the Prep School. The Executive Group consists of the Head, Bursar, Head of Prep School, Deputy Head (Academic), Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Deputy Head (External Relations). The Senior Management Team also includes the Assistant Head (Director of Studies), Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) and Assistant Head (Co-Curricular). The Prep School Senior Leadership Team consists of the Head of Prep School, Deputy Head, Head of KS1 and Director of Studies.

School Structure:

The general pattern in the Prep School is one form in Reception to Year 2 and two forms in Years 3 to 6. In the Senior School, there are approximately 100 girls in each year. In Year 7, about 40 girls arrive from the Prep School and about 50 come from a wide variety of state and independent schools.

Pastoral:

Tormead has a well-deserved reputation for excellent pastoral care. Relationships between staff and girls and between girls of different ages are warm and strong. The atmosphere is one of respectful informality, where thoughtful behaviour is based on the School values, rather than lengthy rules and punishments. The House system strengthens cross-age group relationships and involves several much-anticipated annual events such as the House Fashion and Dance competition. There are many avenues of pastoral support for the girls with Form Tutors and Heads of Year, overseen by the Deputy Head (Pastoral), as well as two qualified school counsellors, two trained healthcare staff and three pupil wellbeing support staff.