Pastoral care refers to the systems put in place by schools to protect and support students. It promotes a sense of community and helps to build relationships between pupils and teachers. When this takes place, children are more likely to enjoy their time at school, engage and display lower levels of absenteeism. We have teamed up with a private school in Hertfordshire to explore the importance of pastoral care in schools.
Pastoral care is primarily carried out by form tutors that have assigned students to monitor and support throughout the duration of a particular school year. Children see their form tutor everyday which allows them to be a good judge of character and spot if something’s not right. That may be how they’re settling in or issues going on at home. This helps to make sure that issues such as these don’t go under the radar and that students get the right support to perform well and enjoy their time at school.
Supports Disadvantaged Students
Systems such as these ensure that children are listened to and that those acting out aren’t dismissed. Teachers do this by working with children to get to the bottom of why they misbehave to help them.
Community
Schools often have “houses” where they are divided into teams. This encourages students to take part in extra-curricular activities to help their team progress and reinforces a sense of community and belonging. In this way, house systems teach children vital life lessons about competition, teamwork, and leadership.
Mental Health
Now more than ever children are struggling with mental health as the number of children suffering with a probable mental health condition has grown by 50% in the last 5 years. A form tutor offers someone that your child can confide in and is able to see how your child is doing day to day.
*Collaborative post