Pastoral Support at BWS
Bishop Wordsworth's is divided into three schools by age - Lower school covers Years 7 and 8; Middle School includes Years 9, 10 and 11; and Sixth Form students are those in Year 12 and 13.
Each section is led by a ‘Head of School' and assistant heads of schools. In lower and middle school, the heads of schools and their teams of tutors are responsible for the day to day pastoral care of boys in their section. Generally, a boy who joins the School in Year 7 will have one tutor for time in Lower School (Years 7 and 8). They then progress into Middle School, where they have a different tutor who remains with them throughout Years 9, 10 and 11.
In the Sixth Form, students have mentors rather than tutors, to provide individual support and enable us to get to know students in time to be able to write UCAS and other references.
Details of reporting, parents evenings and other communication can be found in our Home-School Liaison policy (linked below), and we also host a number of informal meet the tutor evenings, or a Year 12 parent / student welcome evening. Information Evenings are held at the end of each key stage of education – the purpose of these is to explain arrangements for the next phase.
For any parents wishing to discuss any aspect of school life, please contact the tutor, or the appropriate Head of School. Any pupils wishing to discuss the same can pop into their School Office at any time.
Pupils are encouraged from the start to take responsibility for their own learning – for example, all homework is put on MS Teams by the teacher to enable forward planning and managing of deadlines.
PSHRE / Personal Development
Each School also offers a PSHE or personal development programme to provide information about and draw attention to important non-academic topics relevant to our students.
In Years 7 – 8 boys spend one period a week with their tutors following a tutorial programme which includes Study Skills, Citizenship, Personal, Health and Social Education (PHSE), Careers Education and Target Setting. Elements of this continue in the Middle and Upper Schools. Careers Information, Advice & Guidance is provided by our full time independent impartial careers adviser; the breadth and depth of this provision grows steadily through the Lower and Middle School.
Full details of the PSHE curriculum can be viewed here:
https://www.bishopwordsworths.org.uk/main-school/the-school/ks3-and-ks4-curriculum/pshe/
In Sixth Form, we offer a personal development programme as part of our Enrichment schedule in Year 12. This covers mental health, managing anxiety, sexual issues (e.g. consent, health etc), equality and discrimination, substance abuse and other key issues. We also invite guest speakers in for Years 12 and 13 on other key issues, including alcohol and drugs, safe drive and mental health.
Where can pupils get support?
Each school has its own pastoral support officer, listed below. In addition, pupils and parents can contact the Heads of School, Assistant Heads of School, Chaplain, SENDCO or Senior Tutor with any questions or requests for support.
Lower School (Years 7 and 8)
Pastoral Support Officer: Mrs Kate Bazire-Smith
Email: kbs@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
Middle School (Years 9, 10 and 11)
Pastoral Support Officer: Mrs Elizabeth Jacobs
Email: esj@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13)
Pastoral Support Officer: Mrs Susie Stoneham
Email: sls@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
SENDCo: Mrs Steph Paden
Chaplain: Canon Rev Dr Stella Wood
Senior Tutor: Mr Chris Higson
Useful contact numbers
Childline: www.childline.org.uk or Tel: 0800 1111
KOOTH: www.kooth.com online advice from qualified counsellors
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org or Tel: 08457 90 90 90
