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Prep School

Prep School

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

We believe that when children are happy, they gain the confidence to succeed socially, academically, and across the breadth of activities on offer at Ryde. We place immense importance on knowing, understanding, and encouraging each individual child, viewing our school very much as one large family. Our philosophy is simple: Every child. Every day. We tailor our support so that every pupil feels seen and valued for who they are. We recognise and nurture the unique strengths, talents, and passions of every child; equipping them with the emotional resilience, kindness, and skills they need to thrive in the real world.

Our ultimate goal is to nurture confident, compassionate, and globally aware individuals who embody our school motto, Ut Prosim: “That I May Serve.”

Your child’s wellbeing and safety are at the heart of everything we do. At Ryde, we believe that pastoral excellence is everyone’s responsibility, every single day. We are guided by our vital school mantra: “Seeing every child and hearing every voice.”

Children’s wellbeing  and helping them thrive academically goes hand in hand with building deep, trusting relationships. To make this a reality, we champion a culture where no observation is too small to notice, and no conversation is too minor to matter. This means we wholeheartedly celebrate every child’s achievements, personal milestones, and special life events, while remaining equally vigilant in noticing when they might have worries or difficulties. By truly knowing your children we ensure they feel both cherished, championed and protected.

Whether you are looking for mental health resources, checking in on our latest school wellbeing initiatives, or seeking advice on a specific issue your child is facing, you’ll find everything you need right here. 

We are in this together!

Mrs Jemma Harding

Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr Andrew Daville

Head of Senior School & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead (Senior School & Boarding)

Mr Matt Thomas

Head of the Prep & Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Gilly Gallerwood

Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Michelle Legg

Vice Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Governor & Chair of Education Committee

Mrs Jemma Harding
Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Email: jch@rydeschool.net A principled, empathic and dynamic educational leader, Jemma Harding brings extensive senior leadership experience across both state and independent sectors to her role as Deputy Head at Ryde School. With a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology and a background in Psychological Research, she champions a holistic approach to education- ensuring that exceptional academic ambition goes hand-in-hand with world-class pastoral care, safeguarding, and student wellbeing. Jemma Harding  is a trained Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspector, co-chairs the Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) Education Subgroup, and sits on the Safeguarding Partnership Executive Board. A highly respected Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with previous experience of consulting on Safeguarding nationwide, she has written innovative whole-school Personal Development and Safeguarding curricula that have been adopted at a national level. Having led on numerous whole-school wide projects, ranging from academic to business and project management and having served as a Primary School Governor and chair of pay and finance, her experience in governance and compliance expertise spans the entire educational journey from Early Years to Sixth Form. Jemma is deeply committed to nurturing confident, resilient, and curious young people who are fully equipped to flourish in a rapidly changing world.
Mr Andrew Daville
Head of Senior School & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead (Senior School & Boarding)
Andrew Daville joined Ryde School in September 2022 as Deputy Head (Boarding, Staffing and Enrichment). He took up the role of Head of Senior School in September 2024. After graduating from the University of Oxford with a degree in Physics, Andrew taught Physics at Magdalen College School, Oxford, before working in Asset Management in London for Schroders. Andrew then returned to teaching at Brighton College, becoming Head of Physics before moving on to Hurstpierpoint College. At Hurst he held the roles of Head of Science and Head of Physics before becoming a Housemaster. As a housemaster, Andrew ran a boys’ day house and a co-educational sixth form boarding house. Andrew believes in an all-round education and has extensive experience coaching a variety of sports, which he continues to do at Ryde. Andrew is also an ISI Team Inspector and a School Governor. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cycling and spending time at the beach with his family.
Mr Matt Thomas
Head of the Prep & Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Matt Thomas began his career in the maintained sector, serving as an LEA Leading Teacher and Head of Humanities, before transitioning to the independent sector as Deputy Head (Academic) at Moulsford Prep School and subsequently spending nine years as Headmaster of Dorset House School. He holds a BAEd (Hons) from Exeter, a Masters of Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Matt joined Ryde School as Head of Prep in January 2026. Matt’s leadership is shaped by a simple conviction: that a school’s culture is its most important asset and that the adults in a school must model the qualities they hope to see in its children. Having taught across all age groups, he believes the prep years matter enormously, not simply as preparation for what comes next but as the time when children form their character, confidence and sense of community. Beyond school, Matt has a particular interest in online safety and the thoughtful use of technology in education. He lives on the Isle of Wight and, when time allows, is happiest sailing, skiing or travelling. Email: mrt@rydeschool.net
Gilly Gallerwood
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Email: gg@rydeschool.net
Michelle Legg
Vice Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Governor & Chair of Education Committee
Email: clerk-to-governors@rydeschool.net

Our Pastoral Structure

We believe that when children are happy, they gain the confidence to succeed socially, academically, and across the breadth of activities on offer at Ryde. We place immense importance on knowing, understanding, and encouraging each individual child, viewing our school very much as one large family.

  • Reception to Year 2: Children are under the close, nurturing care of their dedicated Class Teacher.
  • Years 3 to 6: Pupils are placed in the care of a Form Tutor who takes primary responsibility for their daily welfare and happiness.

Any queries or concerns regarding a child’s progress or well-being should be addressed to their Class Teacher or Form Tutor in the first instance.

A Network of Support

At Ryde Prep, wellbeing and achievement go hand in hand and multi-layered. Beyond the pupils Class Teacher, they are also supported by:

  • A dedicated Pastoral Assistant to the Pastoral Deputy Head (Prep)
  • Our HEART Centre where pupils can receive individual Pastoral and Wellbeing support

Health and Wellbeing

Strong foundations are established early on through ELSA-trained staff who help children in our lower Prep years, understand and manage their emotions, before transitioning to a goal-oriented coaching model in Upper Prep and Senior School that fosters developing independence, and lifelong wellbeing 

  •  Ryde is a nationally recognised coaching school, with a significant number of our staff members fully trained as professional coaches to guide pupils through challenges.
  • Our holistic coaching framework for Upper Prep aged children, bridges pastoral care, mental health, and academic success to ensure every pupil thrives emotionally and academically
  • Our dedicated Health and Wellbeing Centre (whole School) houses our Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing and our Matrons who are available for both Physical and Mental Health support.

Personal Development

Our Personal Development programme throughout the School is designed to cultivate self-confidence and self-awareness, empowering children to perform at their best and make positive life choices to prepare them for our ever changing world.

Our entire curriculum is underpinned by character education, covering everything from:

  • Being Safe
  • Healthy Mind Body and Soul
  • Living in the wider world with global outlook 
  • Being respectful 
  • Community project 
  • This is all delivered in age appropriate ways through a spiralled curriculum throughout the school. These can cover academic and personal targets.

Open Communication with Parents

We firmly believe that excellent pastoral care is a partnership. Parents are always warmly welcome and encouraged to speak with members of staff to discuss any matters concerning their child’s wellbeing.

Related Topics

Prep Curriculum Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Extra Curricular Extended Day Options