We love to celebrate the people who make Kimbolton such a vibrant and caring community. This month, we caught up with Ms Vanessa Garratt, our Designated Safeguarding Lead at Kimbolton Prep School.
Q. What first attracted you to Kimbolton and your current role?
From the moment I visited, I was struck by the warmth of the community and the genuine care shown for every pupil. The role of DSL for the whole school and leading Wellbeing at the Senior School felt like the perfect blend of responsibility, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful difference. I was excited by the school’s commitment to pastoral care and felt it was a place where my experience and values would fit naturally. Eighteen months on, I am very glad I trusted that instinct.
Q. What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are ever quite the same which is one of the things I love most about the role. My day might start with checking in with pupils, followed by meetings with House Masters, planning wellbeing initiatives, or responding to safeguarding matters. I spend a lot of time coordinating support for our pupils, working closely with colleagues, and ensuring our pastoral systems run smoothly. There’s always a buzz around school, and I am rarely at my desk for long!
Q. What do you enjoy most about working with pupils at Kimbolton?
Our pupils are thoughtful, open, and wonderfully individual. I really enjoy building trust with them and seeing how they grow in confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. It is a privilege to be someone they can talk to whether they need support, advice, or simply a place to pause and reflect.
Q. How would you describe your approach to teaching/pastoral care/leadership? I would describe my approach as calm, understanding, and warm. I believe that our children and young people must always be our priority, and every decision I make keeps the pupil at the centre. Relationships are at the heart of effective pastoral care, and we are building an environment where pupils feel safe, respected, included, and understood. As a leader, I try to empower colleagues and foster the same culture of openness and kindness that drew me to Kimbolton in the first place.
Q. What’s been a highlight of your career so far?
There have been many rewarding moments, but what stands out most is seeing the tangible impact of our wellbeing work, whether that is a pupil finding their voice, a family feeling supported, or colleagues growing in confidence around wellbeing. At Kimbolton specifically, joining such a positive and committed community has been a real highlight.
Q. What are you most excited about this academic year?
I am looking forward to further strengthening our wellbeing provision and introducing new initiatives that help our pupils truly flourish during their time at the school. We have some excellent projects lined up, and I am excited to collaborate with colleagues, pupils, and parents to bring them to life.
Q. If you could sum up Kimbolton in three words, what would they be?
Warm. Inclusive. Supportive.
Q. What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, travelling, and spending time with family. It is important to find a balance, and I try to practise what I encourage pupils to do: look after their wellbeing and make time for things that bring joy.
Q. Is there something pupils or parents might be surprised to learn about you?
Perhaps that I spent my early childhood years living in Cyprus and other countries, and didn’t live in the UK until I was eleven years of age.
Q. What advice would you give to a pupil just starting their Kimbolton journey?
Be curious, be kind, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are so many people here who want you to succeed and feel happy. Try new things, take your time finding your rhythm, and remember that everyone is learning, even the adults. Kimbolton is a wonderful place to grow; make the most of every opportunity.
