Pastoral Life & Care
Pastoral care is a significant element of life at Churcher’s and we recognise that good tutoring has a key role to play in providing energetic young people with the levels of advice and support they need. In essence, happy and engaged pupils will work harder, achieve better and be more likely to succeed in the whole range of activities that are on offer at Churcher’s.
Aims
We have four main aims for our pastoral care:
1. To work in partnership with parents to promote the academic, social, moral and spiritual well-being of each of our pupils.
2. To build up relationships of trust with our pupils and parents.
3. Pupils and parents should feel able to raise issues of concern knowing that they will be dealt with sensitively and confidentially when the need arises.
4. To encourage the development of self-discipline, personal integrity and mutual tolerance amongst our pupils.
Heads of House
The pastoral system at Churcher’s is based on Houses. We have a vertical House structure consisting of five Houses.
Heads of House are the key figures in our pupils' lives. The essential role of a Head of House comprises monitoring all aspects of a pupil's career:
• academic progress
• advice on tertiary education applications
• extra-curricular involvement
• social relationships
• close liaison with parents/guardians
• personal development
• liaising with specialist staff
• career interests
• disciplinary matters
In addition, virtually every teacher is attached to a particular House to assist the Head of House with pastoral and tutorial responsibilities.
Form Tutors
Tutorial provision is organised through the Houses. Within each House there is a form for each year group which is overseen by a Form Tutor who deals with the day-to-day issues of approximately 24 tutees and who is the first point of contact for parents.
The Form Tutor’s role is to be an additional adult who takes a genuine interest in the life of the boys or girls who are allocated to his/her group. That interest is facilitated by formal daily meetings of the tutor group, but it will also be developed through informal contact through the week. Tutors support and guide the academic work of the pupils and also help them to develop in other areas of their lives - for instance encouraging them to accept new challenges and advising about career choice or university applications.
The tutorial team works closely with the Head of House and tutors pool their knowledge and understanding of the boys and girls in the House. If they need extra advice, they can turn to the School Counsellor and Chaplain, as well as the staff at the School's Medical Centre as may be appropriate.
Form Tutors 2011 to 2012, Click Here to Download
Microsoft Word, click here for free viewer
Peer Support
We encourage our pupils to consider the welfare of others as much as their own needs both within the school and outside. To endorse this message within each House there is a well-established peer mentoring system with sixth-form students assigned as House Prefects. These senior pupils are supported and encouraged to establish close relationships with the younger pupils in the House and to help those with issues to find the right adult with whom they can share their problems and receive appropriate support. It is a fundamental quality of our pupils that they genuinely care for others and want to give something back to other, younger pupils and to the School in general.
The Sixth Form
In the sixth form at Churcher’s the pastoral care of our students is supplemented by a bespoke sixth form team. In addition to a Form Tutor, each sixth form student is assigned a Personal Tutor who administers UCAS guidance and closely monitors academic progress.
Sixth Form Team 2011 to 2012, Click Here to Download
Microsoft Word, click here for free viewer
School Counsellor
Churcher’s is in the fortunate position to have a Counsellor who is resident in school throughout the week. The option of counselling provides another source of emotional help in addition to the support already available from other members of the School's pastoral support team. There may be issues that pupils prefer to talk to the Counsellor about as she is able to give the time to listen carefully and to give sympathetic and constructive support.
Pupils are able to either self-refer for counselling or, in some cases, may be encouraged to make an appointment by a member of staff. Counselling provides the children with the opportunity to talk in confidence to a professionally qualified Counsellor about worries or difficulties that may be affecting them. The counselling is usually delivered on an individual basis in 30-minute sessions once a week. The number of sessions will depend on the needs of the pupil.
Pupils seek counselling for a variety of problems. It is hoped by helping them to focus and understand their difficulties and by supporting them to make any necessary changes, this will not only help them to develop as confident individuals, leading happy and fulfilled lives, but will help them go on to achieve their full potential academically.
The Counsellor is based in a designated room in Old College. To speak to the Counsellor or to make an appointment, contact Mrs Blackman via e-mail: lblackman@churcherscollege.com
The Medical Centre
The School’s Nurses, Mrs Bramfitt and Mrs Slade are based in the School Medical Centre and are available from 8.30am – 5.00pm. They are there to look after and treat ill and injured pupils and those with long-term medical problems. Pupils are cared for in the Medical Centre until they are able to return to class or parents are called to collect them. If a visit to hospital is required every effort will be made to contact the pupil’s parent(s). The School’s Nurses are also there to support the pupils with any issues or problems they have.
The School’s Nurses can be contacted by e-mail: matron@churcherscollege.com or alternatively by telephone: 01730 236862.
