Undivided pupil survey results reveal Sheffield Girls' culture of belonging, acceptance and respect

We are delighted that our latest results from our annual GDST Undivided survey reveal a school community where pupils feel known, valued and respected. The survey, issued annually across all GDST schools, asks our pupils about their personal experiences at school with a focus on diversity, inclusion, equality and belonging. 

The initiative is born from the importance of having continuous conversation with our pupils, staff and parents as we strive towards upholding a community characterised by mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance. This year’s survey results painted a powerful picture of a school community where girls feel a strong sense of belonging and where pupils from all backgrounds are respected and celebrated. An impressive 94% of pupils agreed with the following statements: 

• I feel like I belong at my school
• I feel that my culture, faith and background are respected in school
• I feel like I belong in my peer group
• The staff at my school value different views, beliefs and cultures
• Students of all backgrounds and beliefs are valued equally in my school
• Over the last year, as a school we have worked together to support diversity and inclusion in our school community

Pupil comments further revealed an embedded sense of belonging and inclusion, with one girl commenting that they ‘felt more included than ever’ since joining Sheffield Girls’, and several pupils highlighting initiatives such as our One World, One School Day as positive opportunities to celebrate their identities. 

Our DEIB Lead, Frankie Arundel, commented: “We're so proud of the work our student DEIB representatives have undertaken this year to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our school community. Responding directly to feedback from last year's Undivided survey, their theme this year is ‘Everyday DEIB’ – making inclusivity a part of everything we do. We're excited about their upcoming plans for the rest of the year, which include a beautiful sacred canopy display for Interfaith Harmony Week and a celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride. These initiatives all underscore our commitment to making DEIB a fundamental and ongoing aspect of life at our school, ensuring every student feels they belong and they matter.”

The GDST’s Undivided charter and its resulting actions, including the pupil and staff surveys, form a key part of our collective efforts to craft environments where girls learn without limits. Our positive response trends see us placed highly amongst other GDST schools, with our pupils responding more highly than the GDST average across all survey statements. The results this year reflect our commitment to creating an equal and inclusive learning environment where pupils can celebrate their identities and feel confident to challenge inequality. 

Student voice and pupil-led initiatives play a huge role in this, with our many leadership opportunities and Girls of Steel character education programme encouraging pupils to use their voice, act as positive role models for their peers and feel proud of belonging to Sheffield Girls’. 

Students have multiple channels to share their views and shape the future of our school, with initiatives such as School Council, elected student representatives and pupil-led assemblies offering myriad opportunities for them to influence decision-making and develop leadership skills.Our pupil DEIB representatives have also been instrumental in enacting positive change, implementing initiatives such as the introduction of the Halo Code and delivering our hugely successful ‘One World One School’ showcase. 

In 2021, we were awarded our UNICEF Rights Respecting School Silver Award in recognition of our commitment to embedding the UN Convention on the Rights Of the Child throughout our culture and the positive impact this has had on our community. Our December 2024 ISI report highlighted the strength of our community, noting our ‘atmosphere where equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are celebrated and supported’, and our pupils’ ‘deep moral awareness of fairness and social inequality’ as well as how they are empowered to become ‘confident, empathetic and resilient role models’. 

These achievements and initiatives, alongside our Undivided survey results, sit alongside our culture of  creating a sense of belonging for every pupil. Rooted in our school values of positivity, courage and kindness, we are committed to embedding DEI initiatives in ways that are pedagogically meaningful, impactful and long-lasting. 

We want every pupil to leave Sheffield Girls’ as a confident, compassionate global citizen who respects others, celebrates difference and feels equipped to challenge injustice wherever they encounter it. We are delighted to see the results of this commitment reflected in this year’s Undivided survey.