Pastoral Care

We are a nurturing and safe community which strives to ensure that every pupil can become the very best version of themselves: independent of spirit, adventurous in approach, and empathetic in how they treat others. In turn, our pupils feel a strong sense of belonging and immense pride in their school.

Our approach is rooted in the understanding that a pupil’s ability to reach their full potential is intrinsically linked to their emotional wellbeing. We passionately believe that young people need to feel known, supported, and valued to thrive, and our prioritisation of our key school values of ‘happiness first’ and ‘community of kindness’ ensures that this is always at the forefront of our minds. Pastoral care at Chigwell is built on strong relationships, effective communication, and a deep understanding of each child’s unique needs.

Our Form Tutors are the heartbeat of pastoral care in the Senior School. From the moment they join us, each pupil is assigned a Form Tutor who acts as the main point of contact for both the pupil and their family, and in many cases stays with their group for several years. The Form Tutor meets daily with their form group, monitoring the academic progress, providing guidance, communicating with parents, and offering emotional support to the pupils under their care.

The transition to the Senior School is crucially important, so in addition to their Form Tutor, pupils in the Third and Fourth Forms (Years 7 and 8) are overseen by a specialist Head of Year, who in turn is managed by the Head of Lower School. This ensures that any issues which arise can be dealt with promptly and professionally.

In Year 9, pupils transition into one of four houses - Caswalls’, Lambourne, Penn’s or Swallow’s – in which they remain for the duration of their time at Chigwell. The houses are an integral and much-loved part of the Chigwell experience, which enhance the sense of community and belonging. Housemasters and Housemistresses support the Form Tutors, working collaboratively with them to promote wellbeing and ensure that every student feels part of a close-knit community. In turn pupils feel hugely proud of their house, a connection which can last a lifetime.

As pupils enter the Sixth Form they retain membership of their house but gain a Head of Year, overseen by the Head of Sixth Form, who offers dedicated support, advice, and guidance with an eye on life outside of Chigwell.

In addition, our wider pastoral team provide specialised support to our pupils, including the Chaplain and a Head of Wellbeing who oversees the implementation of wellbeing initiatives for pupils, their families, and school staff. In addition, our full-time school counsellor is available to offer confidential and professional support when needed, providing a safe space for pupils to seek help.

Why are pastoral care and wellbeing important to us?

At Chigwell School, we take a proactive and holistic approach to ensuring high levels of pupil wellbeing. In our experience, thriving pupils have a combination of factors that come together to provide the necessary support they need to become happy individuals. These elements include excellent teaching, forming positive relationships with teachers, opportunities for personal growth through access to co-curricular activities, and a range of strong friendships that are positive and supportive.

How do we ensure high levels of pastoral care and wellbeing?

We focus on the holistic development of each pupil by striving to create a school culture that actively promotes positive mental health, resilience, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Our goal is to create an environment in which every pupil feels safe, valued, and confident.

Our PSHE programme provides education on mental health topics to equip pupils with the tools they need to foster resilience and navigate the challenges of life. We actively celebrate the wonderful diversity of our school through assemblies, themed weeks, and special events, so that all pupils feel they truly belong.

We firmly believe that a balanced lifestyle is key to wellbeing. Through our outstanding co-curricular provision, we encourage our pupils to pursue their interests and, we hope, find their passion, whether sporting, cultural, or giving back to the community. Participation in activities outside the classroom helps our pupils form friendships and find joy in their school experience.

At Chigwell School, we understand that education extends far beyond the classroom, and our commitment to excellent pastoral care and student wellbeing is at the heart of our ethos. Our caring and robust system of pastoral support empowers our pupils to explore their full potential, take risks, build strong relationships, and develop into kind, caring, and happy young people who are ready to flourish in the world beyond the school gates.