The principal structure for pastoral care is the “Circle of Care” and all members of staff have pastoral responsibilities.
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Any Pupil should feel confident to approach anybody within the “Circle of Care” at any time if they feel they need pastoral support. Our quality of care for all children at the school is a top priority and is supported by not just our policies, but also our actions and our example.
Form Tutors will often find themselves on the front line of pastoral care issues and, as the circle of Care diagram illustrates, Children should see themselves as being surrounded by care from all adults in the school community. The Head of Year Groups, the Head of Pastoral care, the School Nurses, the Housemistress and the House Staff are likely to have greater responsibility for ensuring the monitoring of pastoral care in the School.........but all staff should contribute towards its success.
Each Form in Edge Grove has two form tutors who, between them, meet the pupils at registration each morning and twice a week for a longer group meeting (about half an hour each session). Pupils and parents are encouraged to talk with their tutor about problems and indeed this is the first point of contact for day pupils and their parents. Their concerns include academic, disciplinary, personal, and social issues. Contact books assist this process. One-to-one tutor meetings take place whenever needed or at the request of the pupil.
Boarders have an additional layer of pastoral support through the Head of Pastoral Care, the Housemistress and House Staff. Pupils are made aware that the Headmaster’s Wife is also always available for pastoral support. All members of the house staff liaise with her on a weekly basis to ensure a close eye is kept on individual matters as they arise.
An Independent Listener visits the school regularly to be available to any pupils who wish to speak with him, though this opportunity is generally made use of by the boarding community. His number is displayed on the ‘Help’ notices around the School which offer suggestions for action to pupils in case of personal problems. The ‘Help’ documentation is delivered to each pupil through the tutorial system or class teacher in the case of the Junior School or Hart House.
Pastoral care, disciplinary control, personal advice and much of the implicit instruction in living socially responsible lives in the community are disseminated through the tutorial system, the PSHE/Circle time, Chapel and Assemblies, as well as through the staff during day to day life.