Pastoral

We are a Christian school whose staff seek to value and to nurture each child. We want our children to be happy and to enjoy their time with us and move on from here as articulate and fulfilled young men and women.  Happiness is key to all that we do at Great Walstead in class, outdoors and in our wide-ranging extra curricular programme. The pastoral care of our children is overseen by the Pastoral Care Team which is led by the Head of Pastoral Care. The team meets regularly to discuss the wellbeing of all our children and look at ways staff and parents can enable children to feel fulfilled, be settled and develop their potential.

The Pastoral Team is supported by a professional and dedicated staff of Section Heads who will always go the extra mile to make sure that children receive the best care possible. They link in closely with the very active School Council (of pupil representatives) to develop initiatives such as a 'peer listener’s scheme' and to reinforce the tutor system. The children, therefore, have a range of people with whom they can talk, seek advice and make sure they are happy in all they do.

Alongside the pastoral work is a House system which is a prominent aspect of school life. Pupils coming in to Year 3 or above are assigned to a house when they first arrive:

• Mowll -  Named after Robert (“RJ”) Mowll, the founder of the school
• Livingstone - Named after Dr David Livingstone, missionary explorer to Central Africa
• Grenfell - Named after Wilfred Grenfell, medical missionary in Canada
• Carey - Named after William Carey, missionary to India

Each house has pupil leaders in the form of House Captains and Prefects who are elected by staff and pupils. Houses meet weekly in Chapels to celebrate successes and to support and guide each other. Everyone competes in a healthy and friendly way for house points (for good work and for good behaviour) and in specific competitions for example in different sports.

We pride ourselves on the pastoral care at Great Walstead and we are highly regarded for nurturing individuals so that they leave the school owning their talents and believing in themselves.