PASTORAL CARE

 'A caring atmosphere prevails throughout the School'

 HMI Inspection Report

‘I think the relationship between pupils is really good because everyone seems to get on. I think we know that we can’t ever take this for granted but it seems pretty natural for us. People smile a lot here’ 

Year 11 Girl

The Middle School years are a time of transition and discovery. We want our pupils to develop the confidence to enjoy this time of their life. In all this, our focus is on developing confident, well rounded and interesting young men and women who take with them the qualifications, empathy, adaptability, and respect for others to thrive in the Sixth Form and beyond.

We realise that the transition from child to young adult, which takes place over the three years of the Middle School, is easier for some than for others. We all hope that this transition passes off without any wobbles, but for anything that does arise we have assembled an experienced pastoral team to support our pupils. This starts with the tutor who has daily contact with pupils. At different times the tutor will celebrate achievement with their form, and also set targets for each pupil to aspire to; they will sort out problems, from lost bags to broken hearts, always in an even-handed and compassionate way. The tutor is also our link to parents in all matters concerning their children. The tutors work closely with the Year Heads and Heads of Division who have an overview of the Middle School. The Year Heads set the tone for their year groups both in terms of behaviour but also in academic matters.  

The Middle School has some 500 pupils and, in a way, might be considered as a school within a school. The Head of Middle School has the whole view and is particularly involved in ensuring that the transition through the year groups is a positive and enjoyable experience for all. The Head of Middle School also ensures that the transition from Lower School to Middle School, and then up to the Sixth Form, is a smooth and productive process for all. We have a School Nurse to deal with any cuts and scrapes, but also to be a friendly face. We also have a system of Peer mentors which allows Sixth Form and Middle School pupils to help younger pupils in the School. We might from time to time suggest that a pupil see our School Counsellor when we feel that extra support is needed. 

In this way the Middle School team enables our pupils to be independent but supportive of others, to value academic achievement but not at the cost of experiencing all that Latymer has to offer outside the classroom, to be ambitious but also to be modest about their achievements and to take pleasure in celebrating the achievements of others, and, above all, to be the best they can be in all that they do in a happy and supportive environment.