With the increasing strains placed on young people in an ever changing modern world, Tolworth Girls’ School stresses extra importance on teaching life skills to its pupils.

The Tolworth school, which educates all girls until the sixth form, sends the second highest amount of pupils to university in the borough; results which they say are based on a holistic approach to education.

The biggest challenge when teaching girls is instilling confidence, according to headteacher Siobhan Lowe, something the school works on from the moment the children start in year 7.

The teaching staff build self worth through praise and reward schemes, where the children are recognised for effort as well as attainment, and by encouraging pupils to get involved in different arts programmes such as drama and dance.

Mrs Lowe said: “The things children have to deal with today makes it so important that you look at their education in a holistic way, not just teaching them the curriculum but also preparing them for the world outside.

“You have the [pressure], particularly for girls, to be a certain way or look a certain way, on top of older people saying you’re lazy, or exams are too easy.

“It is hard being a young person now. When I was a kid we just went to school and played football. Now kids [have to think about] careers and have to be adults at a much younger age.

“We place a lot of emphasis on social development because we want our pupils to be ready for anything life throws at them.”

The school has developed partnership programmes to give leavers the best chance of finding lasting employment, including work experience placements with St George’s Hospital where students can work with nurses and midwives.

The school has recently built a new sixth form common room with a computer study room and a recreational room with a pool table.