Service at Sedbergh

Service at Sedbergh encourages pupils to give back, act with humility and understand the responsibility they have to the communities around them. Service is one of the four strands of Sedbergh’s Front 4, our framework for developing the whole person. Linked to our value of Humility, it encourages pupils to look beyond themselves and recognise the difference they can make through their time, energy and commitment.

Learn more about how we develop the whole person

Sedbergh’s location gives this work a particular meaning. The School sits within a small town and a wider rural community, where relationships matter and contribution is visible. Through fundraising, volunteering, House initiatives and community partnerships, pupils learn that service is not simply an activity or an event. It is a habit of character: a way of developing perspective, gratitude, responsibility and care for others.

“When I look back over all the service and charitable work carried out by Sedbergh pupils, one theme stands out above all others; humility in action.

Humility is often misunderstood. People sometimes think it means being quiet, lacking confidence, or not recognising your achievements. But true humility is something very different. Humility is understanding that life is not just about ourselves. It is recognising the needs of others, using our gifts to serve, and being willing to help without expecting recognition or reward.

In many ways, humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

Mr. Stu Oliver, Assistant Head, Co-Curricular  

Service and humility in action

Service is a central part of how pupils learn to look beyond themselves and understand their responsibility to others. At Sedbergh, this is closely connected to our value of Humility: recognising that leadership begins with contribution, and that every pupil has the capacity to make a positive difference.

Through House initiatives, fundraising, volunteering and community partnerships, pupils are encouraged to give their time, energy and ideas in support of others. The impact is not only felt by the people and organisations they support; it also helps pupils develop perspective, gratitude, confidence and a stronger understanding of their place within the wider community.

In a full boarding school, service is part of the rhythm of daily life. Pupils live within a close community, but also within a town and landscape where relationships matter. This gives them regular opportunities to contribute, to notice the needs of others and to understand that character is built through action.

Sedbergh Gives Back

One of the most important days in the Sedberghian calendar; during the final week of term prior to Christmas, our entire school community spends a day giving back to local communities, charities and projects. Each House chooses their own activities – often returning for many years to organisations that have been supported previously. In this way the School builds meaningful, lasting, relationships with groups that can benefit from our help.

#SedberghGivesBack

Challenge Week

Challenge week is devoted to completing ambitious physical challenges. In 2023 the whole of Year 12 took on the National 3 Peaks Challenge which involved pupils climbing the highest mountains in England (Scafell Pike, 978m), Wales (Snowdon, 1085m) and Scotland (Ben Nevis, 1345m) over 3 days. The challenge involved more than 30 miles walking (equivalent to ascending Winder 11 times) and tested pupils both physically and mentally.

While Challenge Week is devoted to completing ambitious physical challenges, some pupils choose instead to complete community projects. In different groups pupils tackled projects including: filling in potholes, cleaning road signs, tidying bus shelters, repairing public picnic tables and cleaning local footpaths.

“From today’s challenge, I think I have learnt how when faced with a difficult situation, where you may feel the desire to give in, to be resilient and to push forward, as the end is closer than you think.”

Extra-Curricular

VISIT PROSPECTUS ENQUIRE
x