Pastoral
The
general welfare of pupils is the concern of all members of staff. However,
the school has a particular structure, which acts as the backbone for
pastoral care, consisting of four Houses. Every pupil belongs to a tutor
group, which in turn belongs to a House.
The Heads of House and their deputies have overall responsibility for the welfare of the pupils in their House and for activities designed to bring younger and older pupils together for various projects.
On arrival at the school, each pupil is placed in a tutor group with about 27 others. Their tutor meets the group twice daily for registration, and for a weekly tutorial period. During this time pupils investigate topics of importance to their education and their personal and social development. The tutor moves up the school with her/his group.
Through the continuity provided by the House organisation, we aim to help group tutors, Heads of House and families to know one another well, so that each pupil is better understood and helped both in school and at home. We believe that easy contact between parents and teachers is vitally important. Parents are welcomed at the school to talk with staff, not only at parents' meetings but also, by appointment, at any time during the year.
If a parent is concerned on any issue, s/he should in the first instance contact the appropriate member of staff at the school, by letter or, if the matter is extremely urgent, by telephone. In most cases the appropriate member of staff will be the pupil's group tutor, Head or Deputy Head of House.
We hold annual parents' meetings where families may meet subject teachers and group tutors to discuss pupils' progress. Reports are also issued during each year. There is a schedule of academic tutorials for all pupils. Pupils meet with their tutor to discuss academic progress and achievement. Together they identify targets that will help the pupils to focus their efforts on improving performance in key areas.
We encourage young people of both sexes at different ages to mix socially, to assist one another and to join in communal activities or discussions. Pupils participate in inter-house competitions, assemblies and charity work. Each group is also able to make suggestions about the life and work of the school by having representation on the School and Year Councils.