This weekend, I joined thousands of runners on the start line of the London Marathon, taking on the challenge of 26.2 miles through the capital, and I’m delighted to say I made it across the finish line, and in a time I can feel proud of.
But as I reflected on the experience, it was not the finish line that stood out most. It was everything that came before it: the preparation, the setbacks, the consistency, and the mindset required to keep going.
These are the very same principles we nurture every day in our Junior School.
Building foundations for a lifetime
At Sheffield Girls’, our youngest pupils are not simply learning facts or preparing for tests. They are building the foundations of character: courage to try, positivity in the face of challenge, and kindness towards themselves and others. These are not abstract ideas; they are lived experiences, carefully developed through a practical, supportive approach to learning.
Training for a marathon was, at its heart, about small, steady progress. No one begins by running 26.2 miles. It started with shorter distances, manageable goals, and the understanding that improvement comes over time. In our classrooms, we take the same approach. We encourage girls to embrace challenge, to make mistakes, and to recognise that growth is a process, not an instant result.
Community and collaboration
There were moments in training when my motivation dipped. And I know other colleagues, taking on the same challenge felt the same. The weather was often unkind, the legs were tired, and the easier option would have been to stop. It is in these moments that we must draw on our resilience above anything else and remain focussed on the long term goal. In our Junior School, we model this every day. Whether a pupil is tackling a tricky maths problem, performing in assembly, or navigating friendships, we guide them to keep going, to reflect, and to try again with renewed confidence.
Equally important was the role of community. Marathon runners rarely succeed alone; they rely on encouragement, shared experiences, and collective spirit. Indeed you might have seen the recent story about Boston marathon runners helping a fellow athlete across the line in the US at the expense of their own PBs. Our school community reflects this same ethos. Classrooms are collaborative spaces where girls support one another, celebrate successes together, and learn the value of teamwork early on.
Perhaps most importantly, both marathon training and childhood learning benefit from perspective. Not every run felt strong, and not every lesson felt easy. What mattered was the bigger picture; the journey over time. We help our pupils to understand this: that progress is not always linear, and that perseverance is what leads to meaningful achievement.
Looking back on race day, it was clear that the qualities required to cross the finish line were the same ones we are cultivating in our girls from the very beginning.
Emily Green
Head of Infant and Juniors
