At Fearnhill we aim to provide the highest quality pastoral support throughout the school.
THE AIMS OF PASTORAL CARE
- To provide support that meets the differing needs of all children so that each child is equipped with the skills to cope with life.
- To support children to address social, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs.
- To maintain an atmosphere in which children feel secure, are encouraged in their learning, growth and social development and know that they are valued within a healthy and safe environment.
- To reassure parents/carers their children are being educated in a safe and nurturing environment.
- To work with a range of stakeholders, parents, support staff, outreach agencies and other schools to ensure the continuity and progress of individual pupils.
THE ROLE OF THE PASTORAL TEAM
- To support and work alongside parents in addressing pastoral concerns impacting on their child’s learning and development.
- To work with staff in ensuring good pupil support and build upon the caring and respectful relationships that exist between staff, pupils and families.
- To provide specialist counselling to support individual children; listening and talking to children who may need support in a variety of pastoral issues, for example, self-esteem and confidence, bereavement, managing feelings, anxieties/worries, separation and developing social and friendships skills.
- Responding to situations as they arise within school.
- Meeting with parents/carers to discuss issues relating to their child.
- To ‘signpost’ families to outside services for appropriate provision and support.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE PASTORAL TEAM
The Assistant headteacher, Pastoral care, Mr N Baker, leads the team.
Heads of Key Stage 3, 4, 5 are responsible for the welfare and progress of their Key Stages:
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, 9) – Mr M Turner
Key Stage 4 (Years 10, 11) – Mr A Wakeling
Key Stage 5 (Years 12, 13) – Mr E Dixon
Pastoral Care Co-ordinators support the Heads of Key Stage in dealing with day-to-day issues, liaising with parents, and monitor closely attendance and punctuality:
Key Stage 3 – Ms E Sobotie
Key Stage 4 – Ms R Brown
THE STUDENT SUPPORT CENTRE
- Led by The Student Support Co-ordinator, Ms V Burgess, the student support centre offers respite and focused 1 to 1 support for children. It also works closely to mentor and assist students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Children that are Looked After (CLAs).
- As part of the pastoral team, it works in unison with the Heads of Key Stage and Pastoral Care Co-ordinators and ensures bespoke support is designed on a case by case basis. This may include mentoring, counselling, respite sessions to name but a few.