"Pastoral care is of the highest quality"
"The development of the pupils personal qualities is excellent, fulfilling the aim to encourage all pupils to develop principles of integrity, commitment, faithfulness, honesty, loyalty, kindness and service to others". Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
Miss A Hills (Deputy Head) girls in years 6, 7 and 8. Mr T Herbert (Senior Teacher)boys in years 6, 7 and 8. Mr C Rice (Senior Teacher)girls and boys in years 4-5.
BCPS has a long-established reputation as a very friendly school and it prioritises the importance of pastoral care. All the teachers take their responsibilities for pastoral care very seriously and this is particularly true of the form tutor, who has the prime responsibility for the care of the pupils in his or her form. The form tutors are supported by the three pastoral care leaders and the three college nurses.
The form tutor is the first line of contact for parents, as they know the pupils well and can often correct any misunderstandings in a tactful way. The bond between pupil and tutor enables sound pastoral care and gives rise to excellent results.
We are very fortunate in having the dedicated services of three highly professional nurses, who have specialist skills in working with children and young people. They are on duty in the prep school surgery during break times. In addition to caring for pupils who are not feeling very well, they also offer a sympathetic ear and lots of reassurance.
A 'buddy' support scheme operates through the house system and involves older pupils acting as mentors to younger pupils in their house.
In recognition of the importance that we place on showing consideration for others, two pupils from each form are nominated to receive a consideration award at the end of each academic year. There is also an overall winner from year 8. These pupils receive their awards during the annual speech day ceremony in the Brighton Dome.
The school works principally on encouragement. Pupils and staff have worked together to produce a code of conduct which guides the behaviour of everyone in the school community.
The school council has fifteen members, one from each form in the prep school. These pupils are elected by their classmates at the beginning of the academic year. Mrs Griffiths, one of our senior teachers, chairs the school council meetings which take place at least twice a term. During these meetings, the council representative from each form will offer a suggestion of a way in which we could improve our school. After discussion, the proposals are submitted to the senior management team for approval.
One idea that met with success was to have several water dispensers around the school. Another suggestion was that the school should reduce the number of mail-outs and send information to parents by email instead. This idea was warmly received by the senior management team. In addition to implementing this environmentally-friendly proposal, we also email the weekly newsletter to parents.
