At Westholme, we consider pastoral care hugely important, because we believe that if a child is happy, safe and secure they will enjoy school and their learning, ultimately making the progress they are capable off.
The positive relationship between staff and students has long been a feature of Westholme and each student is known to all staff members, ensuring they achieve their best in all areas of school life.
Positive relationships extend between the student body. The result is pupils who are respectful of one another, kind and generous and work together in an environment where they can be themselves and know they will be accepted for it.
In Upper prep the person who is the lead for your child’s pastoral care is their form teacher, or key worker. The responsibility for the pastoral care of all, however, falls to each and every person who comes in contact with your child from Teaching Assistants to our school secretaries and from the catering staff to the management team; as such the pastoral care needs, safety and well-being of children form a weekly agenda item in staff meetings. Staff work hard to ensure that transitions between year groups, Key stages and sites is managed so that children move happily from one year group to the next.
Pupils from Year 1 are also assigned to a House. The house system plays an important role at Westholme, uniting pupils of all ages in academic and extra-curricular activities. Staff are also allocated a house so the activities are often marked by a healthy competiveness!
Looking After Your Child
At Westholme we believe that a child who feels happy and secure is one who makes considerable progress and grows in confidence during their formative years.
Form teachers get to know their pupils very well and are able to address their individual concerns and needs. All the staff are available to help any child with a problem and the children feel confident about talking to adults, knowing they will be treated with sympathy and respect.
The staff are always happy to talk to parents, either informally in the playground at the end of the day or by appointment. Any concerns will be swiftly dealt with and resolved. Likewise, the school will contact parents if they are worried about their child. Having said that, there are very few issues and the children are very happy in school. They are friendly, kind, considerate and very supportive of one another. They take pleasure in and celebrate each other’s successes and enjoy team work. Year 6 Prefects take an active role in duties around the school and House Captains and Vice Captains organise activities for pupils in their House. At lunch time family dining, provides a lovely opportunity for children to get to know each other.
There is a delightful and happy atmosphere at Westholme Prep, which is a real benefit to every child that attends our school. They learn to grow, trust and support one another in a positive environment.
THE SCHOOL NURSE
The school Nurse is based on site at Seniors, and regularly visits the Prep for any concerns or to offer advise to either staff of students. She runs first aid training sessions for the older pupils and is always on hand if there are any medical concerns. Many of our teaching staff are also first aid trained, and they are excellent at looking after the children when they are unwell.