At Latymer Upper School the wellbeing of our pupils is central to all that we aim to achieve, both in and out of the classroom. Our priority is to ensure our students are equipped with the knowledge and strategies to lead healthy, safe and balanced lives.
We believe that education should help pupils become well-rounded young people, comfortable in themselves and in the company of others, whatever their differences. There is no typical Latymer student, but we encourage values such as politeness and helpfulness and seek to instil a genuine sense of social responsibility.
Pastoral Support
The pastoral team
The School takes pastoral care very seriously and offers wide-ranging support to all pupils. Each pupil has a tutor, and tutor groups are small (typically between 16-18 pupils – fewer in the Sixth Form). Pupils have the stability of remaining in the same tutor group throughout their time in each of the School’s three divisions. The small size of these groups means that each pupil can receive individual care and attention from their tutor, who sees them very frequently, monitors their academic progress and helps with day-to-day issues. Tutors are supported by experienced Heads and Assistant Heads of Year, who have significant pastoral expertise and, along with tutors, are the first port of call for parents’ and pupils’ concerns. Three Heads of Division (Lower, Middle School and Sixth Form) and the Deputy Head (Pastoral) complete the pastoral team, while many specialists also support the teaching staff in caring for our pupils.
We are fortunate to have a team of three counsellors, two registered nurses in our Medical Centre, a school doctor, who offers a GP clinic weekly, our Chaplain and the Head of Wellbeing and PSHCE.
Latymer Upper School has a highly effective Prefect and peer mentor system where the more senior students provide advice and a listening ear for our younger pupils, as well as demonstrating leadership across the school community. See also Learning Support.
Learning to appreciate diversity
Latymer is an open and tolerant school, liberal in its values and accepting of differences. One aspect of this can be seen in the school’s student-run LGBT+ Society and Fem Soc. These societies, open to students from Year 9, facilitate discussions about gender and sexuality issues, as well as giving students a forum to express their own identity. In 2017 Latymer became a member of the Youth Pride network and has been recognised by them with an award for the work the school and our students have done in developing an inclusive environment for LGBT students. Last year a group of Latymer staff and students took part in the Youth Pride network section of the London Pride parade. Latymer’s pastoral team also has significant experience offering support to students and families who come to question or explore their gender identity.
