School Chaplain

At House meetings and through House activities pupils get to know students from different year groups as the juniors and seniors work together, Sixth Form students are also regular visitors to the younger year group forms.

House activities can be whole school competitions such as drama, music, art and technology, languages, debating, maths and science. There are also many sports competitions: hockey, netball, rugby, athletics, swimming, rounders, cricket and tennis. Whatever a pupil’s talents it is important to remember that, while Houses have a keen competitive spirit, we like everyone to be as involved as possible; everyone is expected to ‘have a go’.

There is more to House activities than the competitions. Each House organises fundraising events for charity at different times during the year. These events give pupils the opportunity to have fun organising things and taking part whilst raising money for other people. Examples of what the Houses do include a ‘Wild West’ day, a sponsored walk, a sponsored silence, a Pink day, cake sales and our very own version of “The Weakest Link”. We are always looking for new ideas.

Pastoral and Tutorial Structure

The tutorial and pastoral system at Ashford School works primarily on a vertical basis with the six Heads of House managing the needs of pupils in conjunction with their team of House Tutors. In each Year group, the Tutor is the first point of contact for both pupils and parents; the Tutor will liaise with and communicate any serious or ongoing issues to the Head of House (and Head of Boarding House for boarders) and/or Head of Year.

Oversight of the academic and pastoral progress of pupils in is done by the Director of the Sixth Form.

Years 12 & 13 Director of the Sixth Form Mrs Claire Miller millerc@ashfordschool.co.uk

Oversight for the pastoral system lies with Mrs Nicola Timms, Senior Deputy Head.

Pastoral Care Issues

Tutors and Heads of House are asked to make themselves known to parents of new pupils at the earliest possible opportunity. They will ensure that you are kept informed about your child’s progress and raise any matters of concern with you.

Wellbeing Team

We are very pleased to be able to offer the services of an experienced Wellbeing Team who can provide a range services and interventions to support the physical, emotional and mental health of the pupils at Ashford School. The team can be contacted directly by email on: wellbeingteam@ashfordschool.co.uk.

School Chaplain

The School Chaplain is Rev Richard Bellamy who is available to students, staff and parents. For students and staff at the Senior School who would like to drop in to see

Ashford School Sixth Form Handbook 16