Mount House School in Hadley Wood has been recognised as an official Girls on Board training centre, a national role that highlights its leadership in providing outstanding pastoral care and commitment to supporting students flourish academically and personally within a nurturing environment.

Girls on Board is a programme for girls and young women aged 7 to 18 that empowers them to understand and resolve the complexities of friendship through shared language and effective strategies. The programme provides educators with tools to help girls build self-belief, resolve issues, reduce anxiety and foster resilience.
This partnership is another example of the research-based pastoral innovation that is central to Mount Hall’s overall success. It grew from the school’s Deputy Head (Pastoral), Gerrard Crosby’s understanding of how complex friendship dynamics can affect young people’s wellbeing and their ability to thrive. He identified the benefits of a structured, compassionate approach that empowers students, particularly girls, to manage their friendships with confidence.
Mount House will host a national Girls on Board training day on Friday, 20 March 2026. The event will provide an opportunity for teachers, pastoral and school leaders from similarly minded schools to become accredited Girls on Board Champions. The training will include expert-led sessions, practical resources and ongoing support to enable participating schools to embed approaches that empower girls to manage friendships independently.
On Thursday, 6 March 2026, Mount House will also become the first school in the country to host the new Working with Boys training programme. Working with Boys is designed for boys from Year 5 upwards to grow into respectful, reflective young men who build healthy peer cultures. Educators attending the training will learn strategies to support boys in developing healthy relationships, regulating behaviour and creating positive peer environments.
While Mount House’s work with Girls on Board highlights its dedication to raising girls’ aspirations and confidence, it recognises that it is equally important to support boys in building a respectful and inclusive school community for everyone.
Mount House, part of Blenheim Schools, is an independent school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. By hosting these two nationally recognised programmes, it extends its values beyond its own community.

Mr Jonathan Cooper, Headteacher at Mount House School, said:
“Becoming a national training centre for both Girls on Board and Working with Boys is a natural extension of our ethos at Mount House School. Our community is built on kindness, confidence and belonging, and these programmes help young people understand themselves and each other with greater empathy. We are proud to lead this important work nationally and to welcome colleagues from across the country to our school.”