At Pilgrims’ Pastoral Care is everyone’s responsibility  

Busyness, aspiration and the encouragement towards boys’ own personal excellence. Outstanding pastoral care. These are two sides of the same coin and you certainly can’t have the former without the latter. Pilgrims’ is well known for its highly caring approach to each individual boy and this support is considered in great detail.

In the Pre-Prep and Lower Prep, a boy’s class teacher forms the linchpin of his pastoral wellbeing and school life as a whole, whilst in the Middle and Upper Prep sections, this role is taken by their tutor: meeting them daily and helping them with everything from personal organisation to friendships to a well-balanced school life. For Choristers and Quiristers, their tutor is also part of the boarding team, bringing additional pastoral contact.

Working with these staff are the Heads of Section, Director of Wellbeing and Deputy Head Pupil Development. In the prep section, the STEER online platform is used for boys to privately ‘check in’, from which support plans can develop. Indeed, the school has been designated a ‘STEER Champion School for Wellbeing’ in recognition of its work here. Additionally, worry boxes around the school allow for boys to quietly raise any worries, whilst behind the scenes a number of staff meetings each week ensure rich conversation exists around each boy’s wellbeing.

The result of all this is a continuum of care that helps enable boys to thrive amidst a busy school life, and a knowledge of each individual that informs frequent communication with parents. 

Promoting wellbeing and positive mental health 

Pre-Prep

From day one in Reception, Pre-Prep boys are cared for by their class teacher and classroom assistant. Parents are kept well informed with an online Tapestry Journal and weekly photographs and updates in the newsletters. There are plenty of opportunities at the start and end of the school day to talk with staff and of course, other parents. We are experts in child development and staff supervise the boys at meal times and break times.

Lower Prep Tutors 

Lower Prep boys’ class teachers also serve as their tutors. The Head of Lower Prep helps ensure pastoral and academic oversight across Years 3 and 4, ensuring a holistic approach that keeps the whole picture seen and shared

 

 

 

Middle and Upper Prep Tutor Groups 

Whilst boys from Year 5 upwards move between a full range of subject specialist teachers, they join tutor groups of roughly 10-12 which run for two years, mixing Years 5 and 6, and then Years 7 and 8. This helps create continuity of care and knowledge around each boy, while the younger Year sees what the older Year gets up to, and the older Year can give some guidance and  support to the younger tutor group members. Middle Prep tutors bring understanding and experience of the senior school application process that runs through these years. Upper Prep tutors bring the same to the final lead-up to senior school transition at the end of Year 8, including the boys’ exit exams. In all, the boys become hugely loyal to their tutor groups and tutors, sharing time each day, building to the keenly contested tutor group football tournament at the end of the year!

 

Thoughts and feelings

‘Resilience’ and ‘mindfulness’ might sound like buzz words, but at Pilgrims’ they have real meaning. By teaching our boys how to look after their physical and mental health, and how to communicate thoughts and feelings, we help them to become more confident and at ease with their place in the world. 

Every staff member at Pilgrims’ has an important role in the well-being of each boy. Boys each have a tutor, whom they see every day and who forms a strong link with their tutee and his parents. In the ‘Hub’, there is a team of nurses with oversight of the boys’ mental and physical health. We have specialist staff, such as the Director of Wellbeing, to help individuals when needed and to develop a programme of health-related activities. Importantly, Pilgrims’ boys are taught to be supportive of one another, thoughtful and kind. 

Lessons in PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) give boys time to learn about resilience, physical and mental health, and being part of a community.  

We also have the very popular ‘Group’ run by our highly qualified Head Nurse, Nicki. It’s an informal weekly gathering for boys in Year 7, to chat, share thoughts, feelings, and any worries. It is very popular and well respected by our boys.   

Once a week the school day ends with ‘Reflection’, a form of mindfulness and meditation, when the class and teacher are silent for ten minutes. The boys are guided to think of ways in which they might use these moments to be still and to reflect.  

Our Director of Wellbeing, Craig Cuyler, often invites parents to discussion groups, many of which include helpful insights from external speakers.