Children go through changes and difficult emotions when growing up which can affect them during their time at school. Pastoral care is a layer of support that schools offer to ensure the wellbeing of their pupils and help them through these changes. It is the duty of every teacher and something that we explored with Box Hill School, a private school in Leatherhead. Below we explain the role of pastoral care in more detail.
Form Tutors
At secondary school, children are allocated form tutors whose sole responsibility is to make sure that your child is okay. They carry out registration on a daily basis and are therefore able to spot when there’s something not quite right. Also, they make for a smoother transition from primary school. Unlike in primary school, children have a number of classes and teachers that they are taught by which can make it hard for them to establish relationships with their teachers and peers.
Causes
It’s not always easy to get a child to open up or even spot the signs. Members of staff like tutors and mentors can spend time getting to know children and why they behave the way that they do. They can then help them by addressing the root cause and make more of a difference.
School House System
The house system groups students together and puts them into teams. These are teams that compete against one another in tournaments which they can participate in. The premise is to help children with their team working skills, deal with competition and feel a sense of belonging.
Impact On Education
Investing time and resources in this way can have a profound impact on students. They are more likely to want to go to school as they have fewer things to worry about, engage in class and do well in school.
