About Us: Pastoral Support

Our pastoral support system is designed to develop a caring and supportive community so that girls have a sense of belonging and feel secure in their learning environment.  We recognise the pressures, uncertainties and challenges which young women face as they grow from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.  They should not only feel supported by the pastoral system, but should also begin to learn to support one another. 

• Each student's form tutor is her first port of call in a storm. The form tutor has day to day contact with the students in his/her tutor group and promotes the key values of friendship, loyalty and tolerance as well as developing the essential personal skills of time management and organisation. This process is supported by all teachers in the context of the curriculum, and through the carefully devised PSHE programme.

• The work of our tutors is co-ordinated by Key Stage Coordinators for Y7, Y8&9 and Y10&11. We see the academic progress of each student as being directly related to their pastoral care. So as well as having an overview of curriculum matters, the Key Stage Coordinators have responsibility for managing the pastoral routine and dealing with any causes for concern.

• The Pastoral Deputy Head oversees the smooth running of the pastoral system, and both she and The Head are always willing to discuss any queries or concerns with girls or their parents.

• Boarding students are supported by the Senior Boarding Housemistress of School House.

• Through a sensitively arranged referral system, the Student Welfare Coordinator provides ongoing support for any of our students who are experiencing more chronic and long term problems. She also works with the rest of the staff to promote the emotional well being of all our students.

• Our School Nurse is also available for girls to talk to about any worries they may have.

• Many of our older students in years 10 to 13 take on leadership roles and through regular meetings with the Key Stage Coordinators and the Pastoral Deputy Head they are able to express any concerns they may have about younger girls.

• The sense of belonging which we seek to engender through the tutorial system is reinforced by the House system, which provides students with opportunities to mix across year groups, to engage in friendly inter-house competition and for those in Years 10 & 11, to develop leadership skills of organisation, persuasion and inspiration.

• Our students put a great deal of time and commitment into charity events and links with the wider community. We are proud of our fund-raising efforts and the commitment to community programmes such as our support for our link school, The Crane Academy, in Kenya.

• An essential feature of our pastoral system is developing a partnership with our parents. Whilst we communicate regularly with parents through reports and at pastoral meetings, we also aim to respond to individual concerns from parents as quickly as possible.