Pastoral Care

In 2020, we were recognised for our excellent pastoral care, winning the Boarding Schools’ Association award for Working with Vulnerable Children.

Our boarders benefit hugely from the School’s overriding ethos that through the communication and understanding of shared values we can get along well as a community and better ourselves as individuals. This ethos is translated into five fundamental values – not just lived out daily within the boarding houses, but across the School as a whole. These are: 

The responsibility of pastoral care falls principally on our houseparents who work hard to create a residential environment where the children can work, play and relax free from abuse, harassment, intimidation, teasing and bullying. We advocate equality of opportunity and respect at all times, regardless of ethnicity, faith, culture, gender or disability. 

We also instil the notion that everyone has a right to privacy, especially important in a situation where boarders are sharing rooms and living, studying and socialising in close proximity to one another. 

In the event that any boarder has concerns, or simply needs some additional adult support, the children are provided with a robust pastoral care network made up of houseparents, Head of House within School, Form Tutors and the school nurse, as well as subject teachers and non-teaching assistants. 

Medical Care 

We have our own medical centre staffed by qualified nurses during school hours. When pupils are ill they report to the School Nurse on duty and can be looked after in the medical centre. Our nurse works hard to ensure that the medical centre is a friendly, welcoming place and boarders are able to visit the nurse (and her dog Bruno!) even if it’s just for a reassuring chat if they are feeling unsure or homesick. 

All boarding students are registered with the local GP surgery and the School Nurse takes pupils to visit the surgery if necessary and also arranges for the children to have regular dental and opticians appointments. 

The school has a qualified counsellor as part of the staff team and boarders are able to request an appointment should they wish.