PASTORAL CARE

Our Secondary pastoral care is at the very core of who we are as a school. Our students are cared for with individual attention and support and guided to achieve their potential through close relationships with our teachers, thus allowing them to flourish.  

“Relationships within the school are exemplary” (KHDA 2024) 

Here at Arbor Secondary we provide a personalised Wellbeing and pastoral programme which is strengths-based and restorative, facilitating our students to reflect, explore and thrive, becoming the best versions of themselves. Our core values and character strengths are highly valued and modelled by all in the school. 

Our dedicated team of experienced and enthusiastic teachers are committed to the wellbeing and happiness of each student. The foundation of our pastoral care lies in the connections formed between students and our pastoral team. Our tutor groups are purposefully small in number with carefully chosen form tutors assigned to them allowing for individualised care and attention. They are supported by our counselling team, Thrive department, Medical Care Team, Heads of Key Stage and the Assistant Head (Pastoral Care). The support system in our school is multi-faceted, ensuring students always have someone to talk to.   This personal touch ensures a true sense of belonging, creating a fulfilling experience at every stage of their education.

 “Strong relationships ensure a welcoming and harmonious community” (KHDA 2024) 

“Students’ relationships with their classmates and the adults in the school are built on mutual respect” KHDA 2024

It is important to us that every child in our care feels safe, valued, and supported. We have worked hard to create a culture where all of our students value the importance of kindness to others and themselves, and feel confident to be who they are in and out of the classroom.  Showing enthusiasm for stretching themselves academically and being curious about the world.  Our students want to be involved in school life; from student voice opportunities, to ECAs and community projects.    We say, it’s cool to be Kind, Curious and Involved.

We know that supporting students cognitively, emotionally and socially will positively impact their academic progress. Students see their form tutor twice a day – in the morning and afternoon allowing for close relationships. This time is purposeful and proactively addresses some of the challenges of today’s world.  We cover topics relevant to students’ personal growth and challenges they may encounter in the near future.  Our Pastoral programme is designed to allow for one- to – one time each week with the tutor; an opportunity to catch up on any challenges and celebrate success as well as debates and discussions on cultural and real-world issues.     

In addition to this tutor time, tutors also deliver a wellbeing lesson once a week. During these times they follow a thoughtful and enriching programme which includes Relationship, Social and Health sessions and Positive Education. 

Every Friday students meet as a house family (‘Family Friday’) to take part on activities, games, quizzes and have breakfast together.  The sessions are facilitated by a house parent but led by older students.  An opportunity for students to broaden their social circle, work with different age groups and further enhance our family focused ethos. 

Alongside our pastoral programme is our focus on positive education values which underpin our communication, relationships and pastoral care in the school. Positive Education concepts come from Positive Psychology ideologies which focuses on facilitating people to move into positive levels of wellbeing, rather than merely feeling ‘okay’. We aim to build skills and strategies with our students to allow them to thrive, and provide a strengths-based approach to growth and development.  

Some aspects covered include: 

Personal Growth: Tutor time is a space for students to explore and understand themselves better. Through reflective exercises and discussions, we encourage them to set personal goals, fostering a sense of purpose and self-awareness. 

Educational Development: PEEC in tutor time is a platform for academic support and goal-setting. Tutors work closely with students to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and strategies for achieving their educational aspirations. 

Emotional Wellbeing: Our tutors are not just mentors but empathetic guides. We integrate discussions on emotional wellbeing into tutor sessions, providing a safe space for students to express themselves, share experiences, and develop resilience in the face of challenges. 

Cognitive Wellbeing: Opportunities for clear thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong learning, directly supports our ethos of “Enough for All, Forever” by empowering our students to make informed, thoughtful decisions that contribute to sustainable solutions and equitable practices, ensuring a balanced and responsible future for all. 

In embracing the PEEC approach, tutor time and our wellbeing curriculum becomes a dynamic and holistic experience, empowering students to flourish personally, excel academically, and navigate their emotional landscapes with confidence. 

Our school community places a strong emphasis character strengths that contribute to the holistic development of our students.  These character strengths form the foundation of our school ethos, creating a positive and supportive learning environment that nurtures not only academic excellence but also the personal growth of each student. All students complete a character strength survey each year.   

We prioritise restorative practices to build a positive community. We emphasise open communication, accountability, and empathy in conflict resolution. By promoting fairness, restitution, and a proactive approach, we create an inclusive and supportive environment that values continuous learning and personal growth. 

Student leadership and voice are at the heart of our community, where we believe that students, at every age, have the responsibility and the power to influence positive change. By empowering students with leadership roles and ensuring their voices are heard, we create a school environment where they know their actions can truly make a difference. 

Students are encouraged to take initiative, express their ideas, and actively participate in shaping their educational experience. This sense of ownership develops responsibility, independence, and a deep understanding that they are key agents in creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Whether it’s through proposing new PE leggings for girls to ensure comfort and inclusion or influencing the extracurricular offerings (ECAs) to match their interests and passions, our students know their voices matter. 

Our leadership teams include Student Council, Global Awareness leaders, Wellbeing leaders, Digital Ambassadors, Music Tech Ambassadors, Eco and TASS ambassadors, Careers Ambassadors, and Library Ambassadors providing students with platforms to engage in meaningful projects, solve real-world problems, and promote sustainability. Additionally, class representatives work closely with the Student Council to ensure all student voices are heard and integrated into school-wide decisions. 

This culture of responsibility and student-led action is deeply connected to our commitment to sustainability. By giving students the tools to lead and the confidence to make decisions, we are supporting a generation that is not only academically equipped but also mindful of their role in ensuring “Enough for All, Forever.” 

We recognise the importance of working hand-in-hand with parents to nurture the overall development of our students. Our commitment to transparent conversations ensures a collaborative approach, where together, we provide dedicated support for students in all aspects of their learning and wellbeing. Tutors are on hand as the first port of call for support and questions.