The Gift of an Unhurried Childhood an article for Sherborne Times, June 2026
By Sophie Blewitt, Head of Hanford Prep
There are not many who would argue with the idea that childhood should be full of joy and magic. Quite rightly, this is something we seek for our children, and it is those times in our own childhoods that we remember with such fondness. Yet in today’s world, it can feel increasingly difficult to hold onto that kind of childhood. The pressures on parents to be doing bigger and better things are significant, and children’s lives can quickly become busy and over-structured. Alongside this sits the steady rise of screen use, which brings its own set of challenges.
Today you don’t have to go far to find an article or a piece of research about the negative impacts that screens are having on the development of children. Ironically, many of these articles are shared in WhatsApp groups or on social media between parents. The concerns range from increased levels of anxiety, poor sleep patterns, weak concentration and low self-esteem. There is no denying how useful and valuable technology can be, nor how important it is that young people are digitally confident when they leave school. Developing these skills is crucial, but this can be done in a carefully managed way that does not involve significant screen time or any access to social media. The approach must be nuanced and carefully considered. As a parent and as an educator, this is important to me at a time when too many young people suffer from the impacts of social media and digital addictions.
For girls the impact of constant comparisons and connectivity is very noticeable. Combine this with growing up in a world of casual sexism and gender-based inequality, and it becomes clear to me that girls deserve the time to become themselves, develop their confidence and learn the value of their voice in a single-sex environment. They need this space in order to develop and build confidence and a strong sense of self - something that will stay with them throughout their lives.
I feel strongly that an all-girls education can play an important role in this. It provides an environment in which girls are able to focus less on how they are perceived, and more on what they are doing and learning. Time that might otherwise be spent on the superficial - focussing on their appearance due to societal pressures, or talking about who is messaging who - instead spent on activities which build self-worth through mastering something over time.
Crucially, this happens in an environment where girls can get things right and get things wrong without undue concern. There is freedom to be curious, to explore and to ask questions, both inside and outside the classroom, without feeling judged. That sense of freedom is important, especially when children are of prep school age.
For me, an unhurried childhood is not about removing challenge or lowering expectations. It is about allowing children to develop at the right pace, so that when they do move on, they are ready - not just academically, but emotionally as well.
If we are honest, it can be hard in this day and age to spend enough time appreciating the beauty which surrounds us. Whether that is the wisteria flowering, the smell of cut grass or the leaves under our feet, these small moments matter. Taking the time to notice them helps to build a sense of perspective, gratitude and wonder. Holding onto this way of growing up is not always straightforward. It can feel at odds with the pace of modern life and the expectations that come with it. But it is worth considering what children most need in these early years, and what will serve them best in the long term.
As someone who has spent many years in girls’ education, I am delighted to be taking up the reins at Hanford Prep, where I have recently been appointed Head. It is a place where a magical childhood and academic ambition go hand in hand, and where girls are given the time and space to grow into themselves – our pupils are curious, funny, kind and determined. At a time when childhood feels harder to protect than ever before, that feels more important than ever.
An unhurried childhood may feel increasingly rare, but it is not out of reach. With care and intention, it can still be protected - and its value lasts far beyond childhood itself.
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