About Us: Pastoral Care

Our pastoral care is second to none. We believe that it is central to the personal, social and academic development of each girl. Our girls are happy, well behaved, and confident and thrive in their secure and pleasant environment. We understand how important it is for each girl to feel valued. Each child is different and our role is to help all the girls fulfil their potential. The girls are encouraged to gain self-respect, respect one another and their school environment.

How do we achieve this?

We have a well-structured support system, which is designed to allow each girl to develop good personal and social values. Our dedicated form teachers listen, guide and advise the pupils in their care, thus forming a trusting relationship. All our staff are involved in dealing with causes for concern and liaise with parents and guardians. Indeed, it is a real team effort to help the girls in their daily work and play.

Our PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) programme explores a range of issues within the security of the classroom and enables the girls to gain an understanding of each other’s points of view. The assembly programme reinforces core messages when the school community gathers each day and our Student Council gives the pupils an opportunity to discuss ways of improving the school for the benefit of all.

As a school we promote a secure and happy environment, reinforced by our anti-bullying policy. We take positive action to prevent anti-social behaviour (whatever form) by practising zero tolerance. If they are unhappy, our pupils know that telling someone, whether it is a teacher or other adult, about inappropriate behaviour is the best way of keeping safe. “Telling” will help the person misbehaving change their behaviour and to keep out of trouble.

New girls are given a very warm welcome. They are always looked after by very willing helpers and in no time at all the "new girl" becomes almost the "old girl". Year 6 girls are partnered with a young pupil from the Infant Department and "Book Friends” happen as if by magic. This is a weekly, shared reading time, but it often develops into a stronger bond and helps to provide security for the younger child, especially during those first moments in the playground.

Our House system operates from Year 1 onwards and is of considerable value. Rewards and incentives (house-points) are given for good work, politeness and good behaviour. Naturally within the system there is a competitive element, either on the Sports field or simply the will to gain the most house-points and win the shield!

We have an "open door" policy with regular meetings with teachers at Parent Consultation evenings along with curriculum information evenings. Class representatives from each year group meet with the head every half term.

Weekly newsletters help to keep everyone updated and parents are encouraged to become involved in “The Friends”. Each pupil carries a reading/homework diary which enables you to know what homework has been set and allows you to write notes of a non-urgent nature to your daughter’s form teacher.