Station Road, Halmer End, Newcastle, Staffordshire, ST7 8AP
Part of Windsor Academy Trust
Menu

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is the foundation of our success.

 Students highly value our positive learning environment and pastoral care.  Ofsted recognised this during our last inspection, commenting: 

Pupils receive a high quality of pastoral care."

 

Pupils feel safe in school. They are not worried about bullying. Pupils say that if they are upset at any time, they have a trusted adult they can go to who will sort it out. The school is always calm and orderly."

 

Promoting Excellence for All and removing barriers to learning

Our pastoral care system supports and promotes the shared values and aims of 'Excellence for All’. It is an integral part of the life of the school, underpinning the academic work of the school, and working tirelessly to remove barriers to learning. 

Our committed team of professionals in school work closely with all stakeholders and external agencies to ensure students can fulfil their academic potential whilst also flourishing as well rounded individuals. 

The Windsor Way promotes the shared values of respect and responsibility and is vibrant across our school community. We embrace equality and diversity across the school with British Values celebrated every day (as set out in our Promoting Life in Modern Britain policy). 

Safeguarding and child protection are central to the pastoral system as we believe only safe and happy students will truly fulfil their potential. 

Pastoral structure

Our pastoral structure is based on vertical house teams led by a Head of House. Each House consists of two tutor groups from each year group. The Head of House leads half-termly meetings with House Tutors to share good pastoral practice. There are regular House Assemblies which focus on raising aspirations and developing emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. 

Pastoral Managers support the five Heads of House, and we have experienced members of staff who have a responsibility to support vulnerable students.

The vertical organisation of the Houses is a real strength. It provides the Head of House with a whole school role and shares responsibility at crucial times, such as Options in Year 9. The benefits of older students working with younger students and mixed age assemblies are enormous in promoting cohesion and unity across the school.

Pastoral Welfare and Academic Progress

Senior staff and members of the Leadership Team have responsibility for Lower School and Upper School, as well as student wellbeing. All staff report to the Deputy Headteacher for Student Services.

Head of House responsibilities

Leading their team in the pursuit of excellence, the Head of House strives to:

  • Empower students with the necessary skills, experiences, knowledge and attitudes that are required for work and leisure in a rapidly developing society.
  • Ensure that students become active, confident and responsible members of the community.
  • Lead their team in maintaining high standards of attendance and behaviour and in maintaining an orderly atmosphere that supports the ethos of the school.
  • Provide an atmosphere in which all students are confident that they are safe, valued and respected.
  • Enable students to achieve their true academic potential by supporting the academic curriculum and the work of the Faculty and Curriculum Leaders.
  • Encourage students to respect others and the school environment.
  • Encourage students to be responsible members of the school community.
  • Strengthen the links between parent/carer and the school, recognising that education is a shared task involving students, home and the school.