Our School Values – Balance 

27 January 2026 - All

Typically, when people talk about balance, they are referring to achieving equilibrium across different facets of life, ensuring that no single domain consistently dominates at the expense of the others. For some of us, that might mean trying not to work too much so that we still have quality time with our families. For others, it might mean making sure we get enough sleep, so we have the energy we need for the next day. 

As desirable as this sounds, my experience has been that achieving balance, at least in this traditional sense, is somewhat impossible. We live in a motivated society, where we constantly strive to achieve highly and be the best at what we do. This is certainly no different at Wycombe Abbey. We are so lucky to have such driven, talented, and curious pupils who invest so much time into reaching excellence. We are a full boarding school; our days are long and pupils and staff can be scheduled in activities seven days a week. Days often fly by without a moment to pause, let alone with considered time to ensure we have spent equal amounts of time on all areas of life! 

That is not to say our pupils don’t demonstrate ‘conventional’ balance in many ways. They incorporate regular exercise into their routines, whether through PE lessons or their chosen hobbies; they get adequate sleep by following House bedtimes; and they eat nutritiously thanks to our fantastic catering team. In the classroom, pupils engage in a wide range of subjects, including creative disciplines, STEM subjects, and Wellbeing. In the boarding houses, they are constantly surrounded by friends and have plenty of time to relax together. 

However, I find the sense of balance we see in the Wycombe Abbey pupils far more impressive than these routines alone. 

Wycombe Abbey pupils are skilled at regulating their emotions. They experience moments of pure joy and hysterical laughter, yet they also know how to be still, reflective, and appropriate. They are mature enough to act as strong support systems for one another, offering genuine care when friends are in need. Pupils are taught how to recognise when their internal scales are tipping too far in one direction and how to seek staff support to help them correct their course. A growth mindset is encouraged in all areas of school life, enabling pupils to redefine their goals when necessary and to continue striving with purpose. 

Our girls spend their days navigating a complex network of relationships, in which they demonstrate a calmness when maintaining friendships while prioritising inclusivity. In the classroom, they balance their drive to be leaders with the need to give peers opportunities and distribute responsibilities fairly. Living and working alongside each other requires a degree of assertiveness; they learn to set boundaries thoughtfully, which in turn fosters mutual respect. 

In Wellbeing lessons, our pupils are reminded that our minds and bodies are remarkably good at sending signals when we are no longer feeling calm or balanced. We should get to know ourselves and pay attention to signs such as disrupted sleep, frequent headaches, or irritability with those around us, and reflect on what we may need to adjust to return to a balanced state. 

The nature of this value is that it will always be a work in progress. We can never know what new challenges tomorrow may bring. But the act of balancing life is something I proudly see in every member of the Wycombe Abbey community, both staff and pupils, every single day. While each day may not appear perfectly structured on the surface, the people living these lives possess a quiet strength that enables them to navigate their very busy days, successfully. 

Ultimately, balance is about finding contentment: taking the good days with the bad, allowing ourselves to feel negative emotions and fully enjoy the positive ones. It is about developing the habits that help us maintain stability in a constantly changing environment and recognising that balance does not mean perfection, but the steady, ongoing effort to live well. 

Miss Ella Calder 

Head of Wellbeing