Girls on Board

At St Paul’s, we recognise that friendships can be one of the most important — and sometimes most challenging — parts of growing up, particularly for girls. Girls on Board is a structured, empowering approach that helps girls understand, navigate and resolve friendship issues for themselves.

Rather than adults stepping in to fix problems, this approach gives girls the language, confidence and emotional understanding to work things through in a healthy and respectful way.

What is Girls on Board?

Girls on Board is based on the understanding that most friendship issues are not bullying, but part of the natural complexity of relationships. When girls fall out, it can feel overwhelming and deeply personal — but with the right support, they can learn to manage this positively.

Through guided sessions, we:

• Explore how friendships work

• Develop empathy and perspective

• Build emotional resilience

• Support girls to resolve issues independently

The programme uses discussion, shared language and carefully structured scenarios to help girls reflect on their behaviour and relationships. This allows them to make better choices and rebuild friendships with confidence.

Why it matters

Friendship difficulties can have a significant emotional impact. Research highlights that girls often experience relational conflict — such as exclusion, rumours or shifting group dynamics — more intensely than boys.

Girls on Board helps children:

• Feel understood and supported

• Develop strong, healthy relationships

• Reduce anxiety around friendships

• Build long-term social and emotional skills

Our approach

At St Paul’s, this work sits within our wider commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and belonging.

We believe:

• Every child deserves to feel part of a group

• Behaviour is communication

• Children should be equipped — not rescued — when challenges arise

Staff are trained to facilitate conversations sensitively and consistently, ensuring girls feel safe while also being encouraged to take responsibility and grow.

Working with parents

We know that friendship issues often come home. Girls on Board supports parents too, helping them understand what their child is experiencing and how best to respond.

A key message is simple but powerful:

• Listen first

• Validate feelings

• Avoid jumping in to solve

This shared approach between school and home ensures children receive consistent support and messaging.

The impact

Girls on Board helps create a culture where:

• Girls are kinder and more understanding of each other

• Conflict is reduced and resolved more quickly

• Children feel more confident and emotionally secure