Pastoral care
Mr Ricki Smith
Assistant Head (Pastoral)
At Headington we see Pastoral Care as being central to the success of the pupils in the school. It is very hard for pupils to thrive academically if they are unhappy in another aspect of their life. Similarly, it is difficult for girls to be happy if they are not able to cope academically. We see the two areas of school life as being tightly woven together. A carefully integrated (and constantly revised) system of Pastoral Care has created a strong team of staff, each with specific responsibility for looking after the welfare of particular groups of pupils. The Pastoral staff are able to look at the progress of the pupils in a broad sense, ensuring that any problems that arise are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
The school is divided into three sections – Lower School, Years U3 - U4 (Years 7 - 9), Middle School – Years L5 – U5 (Years 10 – 11) and the Sixth Form (more details are available on the individual pages for Lower School, Middle School and Sixth Form). Running adjacently to the School sections is Boarding. The school has four boarding houses and whilst these are home to the boarders who live in them, they are also an integral part of school. Each Section is overseen by a Head of Section who is responsible for the Pastoral and Academic Welfare of the girls. Within the Section there are dedicated Heads of Year, who oversee the day to day running of the year and are on hand to support the pupils in their care. Each Academic Year is then divided up in to a number of tutor groups led by a Form Tutor. They meet with their tutees twice a day, and so are the daily point of pastoral support for the girls. Regular meetings with the Head of Year ensure that girls are cared for holistically.
The girls know all these members of staff well and can and do ask their advice about anything that concerns them. Importantly, the system provides a sufficient number of staff available for each pupil so that there will always be someone they feel they like and can trust with their problems.
In the Sixth Form, girls belong to small tutor groups and they will meet their tutors on a one-to-one basis several times a week, to check the progress of their work, discuss university applications and other issues.
All girls in school are members of competitive houses. These give a structure to the various internal competitions and allow the girls to integrate vertically, across the year groups, and key stages. Regular meetings are held each term, and a further sense of involvement and belonging is nurtured through this extra support system.
The Headmistress operates an 'open door' policy, so girls have the chance to talk to her in confidence if they so wish. A trained counsellor visits the school on a regular basis and offers confidential advice and help, and the school chaplain is on and to support girls when the need arises. For boarders, house staff are always available to listen, providing a critical link between school and the home environment of the house.
There is a well organised induction programme for those joining the school for the first time, so that no-one need feel overwhelmed or lost. A Befriender scheme, whereby Sixth Formers look after and guide new girls, provides friendly and informal support for the youngest pupils.
The Health Centre is well equipped, open 24 hours a day and is staffed by fully trained nurses.