PASTORAL CARE

AT DOWNSIDE WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE PASTORAL CARE FOR EACH CHILD.

The House communities are at the heart of the School and they are where lasting friendships are made and memories forged. One of our Benedictine values is ‘Welcome’ and new pupils often comment that they are made to feel instantly at home.

All First, Second and Third Form boys enter Powell House. This means that the boys get to know each other before heading off to their senior Houses – Barlow, Roberts or Smythe – in the Fourth Form. The First and Second Forms have a special boarding area and recreation room in the House and the Third Form pupils have a spacious Day Room complete with table tennis, table football and a big screen for film nights.

All girls join either Isabella or Caverel House, where pupils from First Form to Upper Sixth live side by side. The girls have spacious rooms on one floor and even have their own prefect who lives on the corridor and has the role of ‘big sister’. All girls are able to socialise together in both Houses during their free time. Each House has a dedicated House Master or House Mistress with a residential assistant. Every pupil has a House-based tutor who they will see every day and one evening a week to support every aspect of school life. The House Parents are in House every day to make sure everyone is well looked after and happy, especially at snack time!

The Health Centre provides 24-hour care and each House has a dedicated health care practitioner who will get to know each pupil and ensure that they are healthy and know how to look after their mental and physical well-being.

The Houses always have plenty of activities, competitions and social events at weekends and there are numerous trips. There are chances for responsibility and leadership in each year group throughout the School and everyone is encouraged to step out of their comfort zone, enjoy new challenges and embrace a growth mindset.

PUPILS DEVELOP STRONGLY AS INDIVIDUALS, ENABLED BY THE VERY HIGH LEVELS OF PASTORAL CARE THEY RECEIVE, SUPPORTED IN PARTICULAR BY SYSTEMATIC AND SUCCESSFUL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THEIR WELFARE.

ISI Report