Pastoral Care
There’s an innate feeling of warmth, inclusivity and friendliness – something that can’t be faked – and there’s no ego here. The kids want to do well at school, feel part of the community, and overall be kind and caring to one another. It genuinely feels like a lovely place to be. Muddy Stilettos Review
Each child’s happiness is at the heart of a Heath Mount education. We are committed to enhancing our pupils’ emotional, physical and mental well-being during their time with us, ensuring different needs are supported. Our dedicated well-being programme underpins a whole school approach to mental health involving not only teachers but also peer-on-peer support through our ‘buddy’ system plus workshops and talks from external specialists.
There is a strong pastoral structure in place to support pupils and ensure their wellbeing is at the forefront of all school decisions. The Deputy Head Pastoral leads a large support network that includes our Heads of Sections and form teachers who oversee the pastoral day-to-day life of our pupils. As well as a School Counsellor, ARTiculate facilitator and Play Therapists, we also have Eric and Luna, the nurture dogs, particularly cuddly and much-loved members of the pastoral team.
Positive and open relationships between staff and pupils, based on trust and mutual respect, are at the heart of our approach. Pupils are given the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings through a variety of ways, including using worry boxes and the student hub to directly contact the pastoral team and the Senior Management Team in a confidential manner. Regular surveys are used to gauge pupils’ happiness and provide an opportunity for pupils to make suggestions as we are committed to promoting pupil voice.
Our school values, alongside the PSHEE and RSE curriculum, provide a thread that runs through our school culture. Our programme of study promotes students’ personal, social and emotional growth, and helps teach our pupils not only how to be positive and responsible citizens within society, but also to be happy and healthy young people.
Our full-time healthcare team, consisting of a paediatric nurse and an occupational therapist, are reassuringly on hand throughout the school day while Matron is on call if any boarders feel unwell in the night.
We use restorative practice to resolve conflicts or friendship issues. Children are encouraged to talk with their peers about their feelings so that others can understand the consequences of actions. Often, older children lead discussions and support younger pupils. As a result, we believe that our pupils are kind, confident and caring young people who display excellent skills of empathy, understanding and compassion to their peers.
Our Inspection in February 2025 by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) highlighted the quality of the pupils' personal development:
- Pupils have excellent self-esteem, self-confidence and 'sense of worth and purpose'.
- 'The school ensures pupils achieve an appropriate balance of academic, creative and sporting activities to support their physical and mental health.'
- The school's pastoral team and counselling service are 'effective at hearing, and responding to, any worries or concerns that may arise.'
- The school 'effectively develops pupils' understanding of the difference between right and wrong. pupils behave well and articulate how the school's values of integrity, industry, resilience, respect and acceptance not only inform their current lives but also help prepare them effectively for the future.'
- Leaders 'facilitate effective use of the open space around the school to support pupils' physical activity and provide opportunities for peaceful reflection.'
- Staff in the early years maintain 'tranquil indoor classroom spaces and utilise routines and music effectively to help promote emotional security.'
“Each member of our community knows that mental health is just as important as physical health, and they know how to access help should they need it from the wide range of pastoral resources available to them. We provide caring, specialist support at every crossroad and aim to equip each child with a well-being ‘toolkit’ so they can draw on skills of resilience, collaboration and self-belief wherever life may take them.”
Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development (SMSC)
During their time here and as they go about each day, whether in lessons, assemblies, activities or simply through interactions with others, pupils are supported in developing their spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness. Students are encouraged to be reflective about their own beliefs and heritages while developing understanding and respect for the beliefs and cultures of others. They learn to consider ethical issues and what constitutes ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, growing a recognition of their own responsibilities in upholding values, behaviours and laws. Social skills are nurtured as pupils hone the ability to work cooperatively, resolve conflict and interact respectfully with others.
Our provision for SMSC is a thread that runs through everything we do at Heath Mount, with the aim of helping our pupils develop into the person they aspire to be, thus taking forward with them into adulthood, the values and attitudes that will best serve society as well as enable them to live confident, healthy, independent lives.