Pastoral life

Introduction

Emanuel is renowned for the exceptional quality of its pastoral care.We understand that a happy child - one who feels supported as part of a kind and welcoming community - is one who will achieve their very best whether in their academic studies, cocurricular activities or in their general day-to-day engagement with school life.

Emanuel pupils take responsibility for themselves and each other, developing a strong moral code and making informed judgements about what is right or wrong. Pupils respect and care for one other, taking pride in not only their own achievements but those of others, playing their part in making our community unique and very special.

Support for parents

One of the unique features of our pastoral care is the importance we place on the relationship between the pupil, the school and parents. We see parents as partners in providing support and guidance to a child through their time at the school. As such, we provide a tailored programme of parent education throughout your time with us, including a pastoral evening at the start of every year, a range of informative pastoral seminars throughout each term delivered by expert speakers and access to a wealth of dedicated parenting resources.

Pupil education

Through our Life Education programme (further details in the Academic section), we work closely with a range of leading education providers to ensure our pupils are challenged to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to live confident, healthy, independent lives and to contribute positively to wider society when they leave us. Our current partners include: Digital Awareness UK; the RAP Project; It Happens; the Nutrition Guru; and the DSM Foundation.

Mental health

We approach mental health proactively, with pupils being taught specific skills and techniques from the start of their time with us so they can be drawn upon as required.We want Emanuel pupils to have the confidence to face up to adversity and challenge in a healthy, measured and constructive way. In the Lower School, this includes Stem4’s MindYour5, focussing on daily strategies for positive mental health, while in the Middle School, pupils have the opportunity to take part in a 10-week ‘.b’ mindfulness course delivered by our trained mindfulness teachers. In the Sixth Form, pupils can take part in the Discover programme run by the Maudsley Charity.

Assemblies

A full programme of assemblies and talks delivered in sections or year groups takes place throughout the year, with a wide range of speakers from within the school or the wider world. Recent speakers have included: MP for Battersea, Marsha de Cordova; anti-racism campaigner, Patrick Hutchinson; and top chef, Chantelle Nicholson.

Our assemblies provide an opportunity for the school to come together and celebrate the successes of groups and individuals, hear news from around the school community, as well ensuring that each year group and sections forms its own identity under the leadership of their head of year and head of section.

Pastoral structure

Through its generously resourced pastoral structure, we provide a comprehensive level of pastoral care and attention that remains a feature of the school

Each pupil at Emanuel is supported by a form tutor who will see them daily for morning registration and assemblies and is the key contact for all parents; they can be contacted at any time to provide advice on an individual pupil’s progress. There are approximately 24 pupils per form in the Lower School, 20 in the Middle School and 16 in the Sixth Form.

Beyond the form tutor is the head of year who provides pastoral leadership for the year group and the team of tutors. The head of year is responsible for monitoring pupils’ pastoral welfare, behaviour and general academic performance and will respond to any matters referred by staff, ensuring effective liaison with parents.

Each section has a deputy head of section who provides pastoral support across the year groups, as well as leading the Life Education for the section and focussing on bespoke projects which improve the pupil experience.

The heads of year and deputy heads of section are overseen by the heads of section: Lower School (Years 6, 7 and 8), Middle School (Years 9, 10 and 11) and the Sixth Form. The heads of section provide leadership and advice to pastoral staff and pupils, monitoring the behaviour and performance of pupils in their sections and ensuring a smooth transition between year groups.

The pastoral care within the school is overseen by the deputy head: pastoral who reports directly to the headmaster.

Life Education

Life Education (PSHE) forms an important part of the curriculum at Emanuel. The programme provides a valuable opportunity for pupils to broaden their understanding of issues that impact not only themselves, but the wider community, while preparing for their own futures as global citizens.

Counselling

Where a pupil might require additional support, we have a trained and dedicated team of counsellors offering individual and group sessions across the week. These sessions are accessible to all pupils at any time during their schooling for any matter concerning them. Our counsellors will often provide advice to specific year groups, while also running bespoke sessions for groups of parents on more acute adolescent issues.

Chaplaincy

Pupils in each year group attend regular services in the school’s very own chapel on a fortnightly rota. These services provide an important moment of pause and reflection during the school day and an opportunity for coming together as a year group.

The chaplain, who is a priest in the Church of England, is available to all, regardless of belief, as a non-judgemental and confidential ear in times of difficulty or questioning. The chaplaincy exists to encourage the personal quest for meaning, regardless of a person’s faith or identity.

Houses

In addition to their form, each pupil joins one of eight fully vertical houses when they join the school, meaning our youngest pupils interact with and learn from our oldest pupils, helping to strengthen our community. House meetings are often used for informal mentoring where guidance can be offered on a range of school-matters. Pupils can also represent their house by taking part in a range of co-educational, sporting and academic house competitions. The annual whole-school sports day in Battersea Park is a highlight of the summer, but other events include debating, quizzes and our new Rubik’s cube competition attract large audiences.

Medical support

The school has two qualified nurses working through the week in the medical centre. Pupils can access medical support at any time during the school day.

Pupil voice and pastoral innovation

We firmly believe here at Emanuel that ensuring pupils feel listened to and heard is essential for any successful school community. Whole-school pastoral and academic surveys allow pupils to raise matters important to them and ensure the school’s pastoral care continues to respond to the specific needs of the pupil body. Pupils play an active role in shaping the direction