V. PASTORAL CARE & PUPIL WELL-BEING

Dedicated to knowing our pupils as individuals and developing ‘wellrounded individuals’, our holistic approach to education ensures pastoral care has as much emphasis as academic excellence.

We firmly believe that if pupils have strong values, are good role models, lead healthy and active lifestyles, then they will be able to achieve their full potential. Accordingly, we provide the tools to help pupils regulate their emotions, promote self-care and develop a growth mindset. Pupils are constantly reminded to look after their mental and social health, as well as their physical health. With pupils from many nationalities and faiths, we strive to develop compassionate global citizens and, as such, we have a zerotolerance towards bullying.

The Behaviour for Learning Policy Here focuses on praise and encouragement, and we seek to celebrate success at every opportunity. We want to nurture kind, honest, persevering, respectful and emotionally intelligent young people.

Merits are awarded to pupils for excellent work, good behaviour and when pupils exemplify our school values. Pupils are expected to take responsibility for their own behaviour and are made aware of our procedures and expectations.

The Behaviour for Learning Policy applies in school, on any school-related activity or trip, and in public when wearing the school uniform. It is important for pupils to consistently see the transparency, fairness and speed of our behaviour management policy.

Our behaviour for learning approach is very much focused on self-control, with pupils and staff engaging maturely, calmly and rationally in restorative justice conversations, when we ‘wipe the slate clean’, learn from our mistakes and continue to learn, develop and grow socially and emotionally.

Our school expectations are displayed in every classroom around the school, and our values are constantly referred to in the language we use, in our celebration assemblies and Parents’ Notices.

Procedures are in place to ensure that all aspects of school life are monitored, and feedback given. The monitoring of pupils is first and foremost through Form Tutors who have overall pastoral responsibility for pupils within their form group. They monitor their pupils’ progress in all aspects of their school lives and liaise with the Head of Year, other colleagues, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and parents.

For those pupils who need additional support our Heads of Year are always on hand. There are also our Child Protection Officers and School Counsellor should pupils need more ongoing support.

We achieve high standards and have high expectations of our pupils through our Home School Agreement we expect parents and pupils themselves to share in our commitment to providing the best possible education for all in a safe, caring and nurturing environment.

As well as developing “well-rounded individuals” and supporting pupil well-being, our pastoral vision is very much about recognising that our pupils are the leaders of tomorrow. Celebration events are often ‘for pupils, by pupils’, with a strong pupil voice channelled through our School Council. Pupils are regularly consulted with regards to how we can make things better, and how we can support their changing needs, through vehicles like the bi-annual School Health Education Unit survey.

There is a growing range of leadership opportunities across the school including the Prefect system and School Council, Health Champions, House Reps, Peer Mentors and through pupils completing Sports Leaders and the International Awards (the Duke of Edinburgh Award). We encourage volunteering and leadership beyond school with many of our pupils participating in unique experiences in recent years such as being Flagbearers at the FIFA World Cup 2022.