Pastoral

One of the most important things for parents, sometimes more important than exam results, is how well pupils are cared for at the school. In schools, the care, guidance and support of pupils is known as pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. support. In a school that is right for your child, the pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. and academic side of things should both be strong. This is because pupils learn well if they are happy and feel safe. If either the pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. or academic side of the school is weaker than the other, than this is something you should explore further as a parent.

• In all secondary schools, there are members of staff who are responsible for pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. support, for example, Heads of Year, Heads of HouseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups., tutors, learning mentorsLearning Mentors are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies. Also known as ‘mentorsLearning Mentors are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies. ’. Learning MentorsLearning Mentors are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies. are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies., counsellors, the Special Educational NeedsAll schools have an SENAll schools have an SEN, Special Educational Needs, department which is dedicated to students with particular behavioural and learning needs, for example, problems with reading., Special Educational Needs, department which is dedicated to students with particular behavioural and learning needs, for example, problems with reading. department. In a school that is right for your child, these members of staff, or departments will have a high profile, and communicate well with parents. In a good school, these members of staff will be responsible for both pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. and academic, because the two go hand in hand. 
• A school that is right for your child should always have someone that every child feels they can go to, if something is wrong.
• If a school is strong with pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. support, there is a whole school ethos, of care, safety, respect and inclusion. Schools with a ethos like this will relay the message through assemblies, tutorAlso known as ‘form tutor’. A tutor is a teacher who registers a class of students and oversees their moral and social welfare. They should have a close overview of each tutee’s progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured., although it is quite likely that the tutor will not teach the students in their tutor group. Tutors are often the first point of contact for parents. A tutor is line managed by a head of year* or head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.*. time, and PSHEPSHE, Personal, Social and Health Education, is the study and discussion of issues students will encounter in their personal and adult life.. They might have schemes where pupils officially support each other, for example, pupil learning mentorsLearning Mentors are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies. Also known as ‘mentorsLearning Mentors are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies. ’. Learning MentorsLearning Mentors are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies. are employed by schools to support students encountering social or organisational difficulties which are hindering their studies..
• A school that is strong pastorally, asks pupils how things are going. They might do regular pupil surveys, and have effective student councils or student focus groups.
• To support pupils well pastorally, a school must have good relationships and communications with parents. It should make it clear to parents through the website, or through emails and texts who parents can contact if they have concerns. It should have a regular programme of events and communications to keep parents up to date with what is going on at the school.
• A good school does not put pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. before academic, or academic before pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school... If pupils are not happy, they cannot achieve their best. If pupils are comfortable, but not challenged, then the school is doing them an injustice.
• A school which is strong pastorally should be able to support all their pupils well if the pupil is going through a crisis, for example, bereavement, friendship break ups, parents’ divorce. Pupils should be known as individuals by the school, so they notice if a pupil is not behaving as they normally do, and they take immediate action. It is sometimes the Special Educational NeedsAll schools have an SENAll schools have an SEN, Special Educational Needs, department which is dedicated to students with particular behavioural and learning needs, for example, problems with reading., Special Educational Needs, department which is dedicated to students with particular behavioural and learning needs, for example, problems with reading. Department that can support pupils at times of crisis.

Further Information

Website

A school’s website should be clearly accessible for their parents, and make it clear who to contact if a parent has concerns. The website should encourage communication with the parent group, rather than discourage it.

Prospectus

The school should set out its ethos in the prospectus, or on the website.  The prospectus is also usually on the website. To find the school that is right for your child, you are looking for an ethos which prioritises both pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. and academic, not one at the expense of the other.

Open evening/ Visit

Speak to the Head of YearA student will be in a year group from Years 7 to 11 or 13*.They might also be in a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.*. A houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is a team that students are organised into, usually for reasons of group loyalty or inter group competition. The Head of year or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is responsible for a year group or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. The Head of year usually progresses up the school with their year group, eventually becoming their Head of year 11Fifth year of secondary school, 15 - 16 years old.. Less commonly, Heads of year remain stationary while the students move on, for example, a static Head of year 7First year of secondary school, 11 - 12 years old.. Heads of 6th formThe 6th form is for key stage 5* students age 16 to 18 studying ‘A’ LevelsAt key stage 2* and key stage 3* students are awarded National Curriculum levels to measure academic progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured.. The levels go from level 1 to level 8. In Year 9*, level 5 is the average nationally.* or vocationalNormally found at key stages 4 and 5*, a vocational course has a strong work related focus.* qualifications, such as a BTECA BTEC is a vocational* qualification which is usually completed at Key Stage 4* or 5* and can be equivalent to GCSEs or 'A' levelsAt key stage 2* and key stage 3* students are awarded National Curriculum levels to measure academic progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured.. The levels go from level 1 to level 8. In Year 9*, level 5 is the average nationally..* or NVQs, - National VocationalNormally found at key stages 4 and 5*, a vocational course has a strong work related focus. Qualifications. are normally specialistSpecialist Schools specialise in a particular curriculum area. In the past, they had to apply to the DfES* to be designated as specialist, and they were given extra money to develop resources in their specialist area. These schools can also prioritise 10% of their places for students with a particular aptitude in the specialism, although few do. Specialist schools are often called colleges, for example, Science and Technology Colleges. posts.The Head of year or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is usually responsible for results, behaviour and the moral and social welfare of students. After the tutorAlso known as ‘form tutor’. A tutor is a teacher who registers a class of students and oversees their moral and social welfare. They should have a close overview of each tutee’s progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured., although it is quite likely that the tutor will not teach the students in their tutor group. Tutors are often the first point of contact for parents. A tutor is line managed by a head of year* or head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.*.*, the head of year or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is the first person a parent would contact about their child. for the prospective Year 7First year of secondary school, 11 - 12 years old., or a Head of HouseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.A student will be in a year group from Years 7 to 11 or 13*.They might also be in a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.*. A houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is a team that students are organised into, usually for reasons of group loyalty or inter group competition. The Head of year or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is responsible for a year group or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. The Head of year usually progresses up the school with their year group, eventually becoming their Head of year 11Fifth year of secondary school, 15 - 16 years old.. Less commonly, Heads of year remain stationary while the students move on, for example, a static Head of year 7First year of secondary school, 11 - 12 years old.. Heads of 6th formThe 6th form is for key stage 5* students age 16 to 18 studying ‘A’ LevelsAt key stage 2* and key stage 3* students are awarded National Curriculum levels to measure academic progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured.. The levels go from level 1 to level 8. In Year 9*, level 5 is the average nationally.* or vocationalNormally found at key stages 4 and 5*, a vocational course has a strong work related focus.* qualifications, such as a BTECA BTEC is a vocational* qualification which is usually completed at Key Stage 4* or 5* and can be equivalent to GCSEs or 'A' levelsAt key stage 2* and key stage 3* students are awarded National Curriculum levels to measure academic progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured.. The levels go from level 1 to level 8. In Year 9*, level 5 is the average nationally..* or NVQs, - National VocationalNormally found at key stages 4 and 5*, a vocational course has a strong work related focus. Qualifications. are normally specialistSpecialist Schools specialise in a particular curriculum area. In the past, they had to apply to the DfES* to be designated as specialist, and they were given extra money to develop resources in their specialist area. These schools can also prioritise 10% of their places for students with a particular aptitude in the specialism, although few do. Specialist schools are often called colleges, for example, Science and Technology Colleges. posts.The Head of year or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is usually responsible for results, behaviour and the moral and social welfare of students. After the tutorAlso known as ‘form tutor’. A tutor is a teacher who registers a class of students and oversees their moral and social welfare. They should have a close overview of each tutee’s progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured., although it is quite likely that the tutor will not teach the students in their tutor group. Tutors are often the first point of contact for parents. A tutor is line managed by a head of year* or head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.*.*, the head of year or houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups. is the first person a parent would contact about their child. , or a senior manager with responsibility for pastoralThe pastoral system is the mechanism responsible for your child’s welfare. Most schools have Heads of year*, assistant heads of year and tutors*. In some schools there is a houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.* system, with a head and deputy head of houseSee also 'Head of year/ Head of house'. A house is a team that groups of students are organised into for reasons of motivation and camaraderie. Houses usually stretch across year groups.. These people are usually responsible primarily for your child’s social wellbeing, although in recent years there has been more emphasis in school pastoral systems upon raising academic attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school... Discuss with them who pupils can go to if they have any concerns.  Discuss with them what the school does, if the pupil is going through a crisis of some sort.  You will need to be reAlso known as ‘Religious Studies' (RS). RE, Religious Education, is a compulsory subject in state* schools.-assured by what they say.

OfstedOfsted, Office for Standards in Education, is the government body which inspectsschools, measures their success, and writes reports of their findings. All Ofsted reports can be found on their website. report

At the time of writing, OfstedOfsted, Office for Standards in Education, is the government body which inspectsschools, measures their success, and writes reports of their findings. All Ofsted reports can be found on their website. reports do not report on care, guidance and support separately.  These categories will largely be covered under behaviour, and relationships with parents will be covered under leadership and management.

Older OfstedOfsted, Office for Standards in Education, is the government body which inspectsschools, measures their success, and writes reports of their findings. All Ofsted reports can be found on their website. reports, have separate sections on care, guidance, and support, and social, moral, spiritual and cultural.