Junior School Pastoral Care | St Chris Independent School

Junior School `Wellbeing and Pastoral Care`

In the St Chris Junior School, our students have an unparalleled relationship with our staff.

At St Chris, we’re firm believers that happiness comes before achievement, not the other way around. The students who learn in our Junior School are given time, space and support to grow personally and academically. From our Nursery’s child-initiated play and imaginative learning to Year 6’s study of Mexico, students feel excited about and involved in their learning. Many parents remark that their child goes home excited about what they’ve learned, keen to share it, and eager to learn more.

Excellent pastoral care at St Chris is fundamental to everything we believe, and everything we are.

It means that students are making friends, are motivated and engaged in their schoolwork, are being stretched and growing, maturing and finding out who they are. Providing excellent pastoral care means taking the time to recognise and understand the different needs of each of our children – something which ultimately can only come about by listening, discussing and building consensus directly with the children.

Unlike many schools, where pastoral care is an add-on and used after things have gone wrong, at St Chris pastoral care is the starting point upon which everything else is built.

We’ve found that not wearing a uniform, and using first names, removes some of the barriers to communication that can otherwise exist and means that children are far more confident in asking questions and raising issues with their teachers.

Having children and adults working collaboratively in a mutually supportive, respectful, open and kind community, means that all our children can thrive – personally, socially and academically.

Mental Health `Awareness`

In 2022, following a lengthy pandemic which left a mark on many of our students and students across the world, we introduced a Mental Health Policy in the Junior School. This policy was formed from the recognition that students needed additional and more complex support following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. This policy sees seven dedicated members of the Junior School and SEND team meet roughly every three weeks to discuss mental health provision across the school.

`Support` for Parents

Across the School, parents have access to The Wellbeing Hub, a support network which offers parents webinars and resources on topical subjects to aid in supporting their child with real-world problems.

Parent Surgeries are also available once a week for Junior School parents; these sessions are an opportunity for parents to discuss worries, concerns, and feedback with Katie Wright, Head of the Junior School.

Communication `Across the Junior School`

Teachers meet termly with the Head of Junior School, Katie Wright to discuss individual student progress. This is an opportunity for teachers to flag up any recent concerns or developments recognised by themselves or another member of the Junior School faculty. Our staff all work in dedicated functions, meaning they get to know the children in different environments. This allows teachers to build robust working relationships with our students, allowing our staff to be more aware of any social, emotional or mental health developments of each child.

Junior School pupils chatting in the playground

The aim of these meetings is to ensure we offer consistent and proactive support to all students regardless of their level of ability. We measure on progress rather than ability so that we can support all students regardless of their starting point or ability.

There’s always a friendly face in the Junior School, and it is known as a warm and safe environment for not only students, but parents also.

`Supporting Students` with SEND

There is no falsity here. No pretending. No inauthenticity. We are unashamedly honest with each other.

Our individual approach to each child’s learning in the Junior School means we have outstanding pastoral and SEND support for students. We have a assess, plan, and do approach to SEND and have transparent communication with parents and family about a child’s progress in school. We assess applications for children with SEND on an individual basis, ensuring that the student will be able to access the curriculum and that we have the required provision available to support the child.

Learn More About SEND

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Junior School `Wellbeing and Pastoral Care`