Pastoral Care and Support

Pastoral Care

This school is known for its outstanding pastoral care.  It is second to none; we leave no stone unturned in our endeavour and efforts to ensure the happiness of every member of our school community.  We simply take it for granted that every pupil is and must be cared for, at all times.  They deserve nothing less.

In each year group, BCS Senior students are allocated a tutor who is responsible for their academic progress, discipline and pastoral care, as well as everyday administration. Tutors have an important role to play in our school community, and they pay careful attention to each student’s progress and development. In addition, each student new to the school will have a school mentor – someone close to their own age who knows the school and can make contact before the newcomer arrives to provide help and reassurance. Year 7 students are also supported by members of the Sixth Form who offer help and provide practical support.

The school has an Assistant Principal with special responsibility for pastoral issues.  She is hugely experienced in dealing with pastoral issues and like all the other staff has a ‘no problem is too small’ approach.  The school’s support network also includes a professional school counsellor who sees pupils, on a one to one and strictly confidential, each week, and a school nurse with significant experience in dealing with pastoral issues.

We operate an open dialogue premise with all pupils, parents and guardians and we are here to support, guide and help.

 

Learning Plus

BCS aims to enable every student to access our broad curriculum so that they reach their full potential during their time in the school and become independent learners. Students at BCS benefit enormously from small classes and individual attention, but some students may require extra support throughout their education or just for short periods, such as before public examinations. The Learning Support Coordinator oversees the work of specialist teachers, who give one-to-one coaching to those with learning difficulties and those for whom English is not their first language. The school also maintains a Gifted and Talented Register and ensures that these students are identified and challenged in their field of excellence.

New students from overseas sit a placement test to determine their level of English. All pupils who enter the school in Y7 and 8 are screened for dyslexia as a matter of course. A few may require further investigation so that their individual needs can be more clearly identified with appropriate strategies put in place to support them. Assessments are also carried out to determine whether Access Arrangements can be granted in public examinations. Overseas boarders joining the Sixth Form may benefit from joining our 3-year A-level programme, which includes a preparatory Foundation year that focuses on study skills and English language.

Help and guidance is given to pupils about personal organisation, study skills and revision techniques. The dedicated Learning Support staff work closely with their departmental colleagues to exchange information and advice so that all students at BCS feel supported and nurtured. A very small number of students have other physical or educational difficulties, such as dyspraxia or chronic asthma: the BCS pastoral network and medical supervision ensures that they, too, can benefit from an excellent education whatever their particular needs.