In September 2021, we launched our Period Project. The project, initially launched by Mrs Pattison, is now being passionately led by Mrs Webb, and aims to offer a safe environment for pupils to learn more about their menstrual cycle and how it affects their mental and physical wellbeing. Most importantly, the school encourages open discussion and conversation – both in school and at home. At the heart of this plan is our ambition to create a safe space for pupils to rehearse the challenges of the real world, and carrying on with day-to-day life while on your period is just one such challenge.

What are we doing?

We have a staff Period Project working party that meets regularly and has been helping the Senior Leadership Team understand pupils’ experiences of periods and how they are coping with their menstrual cycles. We have so far undertaken a staff and pupil survey to gain feedback on our community’s experience of having a period, including symptoms and coping mechanisms, to inform the additional support that is provided. In the student survey, it was found that:

  • 80% thought the Period Project was a good idea, with 17.5% responding ‘Not Sure’.
  • 9% of students scored their period pain at 4 or 5, where 5 is unmanageably painful.
  • 70% find their periods quite heavy, and of those, 18.2% find them so heavy that they are hard to manage.

Lower Sixth student, Ash, has volunteered to spearhead the voice of the girls amongst the student body as our first ‘Period Prefect’ offering support and a friendly listening ear to those lower down the school, alongside our School Nurse, Mrs Bloxsome.

We now have a beautiful nurturing sanctuary in the new Wellbeing Hub with dedicated ‘Period Pods’. It’s a safe space for girls to retreat to, if they are having a difficult time on their period, complete with giant bean bags, snuggle blankets, heat packs and calming music. Girls can see the school nurse, Mrs Bloxsome, when they are struggling, who will give them a timed ticket for use of a Period Pod where they can rest and recharge for an allocated period of time.

We have invited in expert voices to create a shared language for staff and pupils, as well as curated a series of parent webinars, so that everyone learns to feel comfortable discussing periods. The first in the series took place earlier this year with Dr Karen Morton, former Croydon High girl, gynaecologist and founder of Dr Morton’s.