Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

“[Pupils] are mutually supportive of each other”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

At Prince’s Mead School our aim is to provide the highest quality pastoral care throughout the school. All staff work together to help pupils achieve their best, educationally, socially and emotionally.

Every member of staff is committed to supporting the emotional health and well-being of all our children and their families. We are happy to speak to pupils and parents about any concerns they may have. However, we also have a dedicated Pastoral Care Team, led by a dedicated Head of Wellbeing, Mrs Gillian Jones.

Our children are encouraged to make the most of their time at Prince’s Mead School so every effort is made to remove obstacles to successful learning and to equip young people with the confidence and skills to be enthusiastic learners and effective members of the community.

From the moment a child joins us we want to ensure they flourish and feel a sense of belonging in the Prince’s Mead family. There is nothing more important than providing outstanding pastoral support and all our staff are committed to ensuring the highest levels of care and support.

Behind the beautiful Georgian facades of our Grade II listed home is a warm and welcoming environment that offers outstanding levels of pastoral support. Our aim is to maintain an environment where each pupil is able to succeed in every aspect of their education as well as to flourish and thrive as an individual. The first way we achieve this is by adopting a very proactive approach; our systems and the communication we have between teachers, Matron, parents and pupils are excellent.

Our curriculum aims to equip our pupils with the tools necessary for a healthy, happy and successful life in senior school and beyond. We focus on embedding a growth mindset, building grit and resilience through opportunities to fail, and instilling a mindful approach to build positive coping strategies in order for our pupils to thrive.

The relationship between the staff and the pupils is a great strength at Prince’s Mead. Informal but respectful, the children see the teachers as their allies and feel happy to confide in them. The atmosphere at the school is frequently described as warm and welcoming, and there is a sense of happiness and fun in the air. All members of staff are ready to help when and where needed; there is always a qualified nurse onsite during the day to supplement staff’s paediatric first aid training.

Monty, Our Pastoral School Dog

Monty, our pastoral school dog, is a certified ‘Good citizen dog’ and is training to be a Hampshire Search and Rescue Dog. He is supervised at all times when he comes into school every Tuesday and Thursday with his owner Mrs Jones to play with a select group of children at playtimes. By having a dog in school we want to encourage those children specifically who are less confident with learning to have a friendly audience and to look forward to a challenge. The vast majority of dogs are gentle and loving, offering children opportunities to improve social development skills, unconditional acceptance and the chance to do something really well.

“Parents agreed that the school actively promotes values of democracy, respect and tolerance of other people.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Leadership: Prefects, Eco Committee & Food Committee

Our Senior Prefects undertake responsibilities in the daily life of the School. Meeting regularly with the Headmaster, the children themselves are encouraged to support one another and to support pupils around the school with the close guidance of staff. Other opportunities exist across the spectrum of School life ranging from The Eco-Committee to the all-important Food Committee.

Friday Prayers

Parents are encouraged to attend our weekly ‘Friday Prayers’ which cover many areas associated with the pastoral life of the school and aims to close the loop between school and home. These family assemblies are Fridays at 8.45am every week.

For information about our new Dining Hall and its role in creating wholesome and energising daily nourishment, please visit Food and Nourishment.

Fundraising

Pupils often become involved in fundraising initiatives, many of the ideas they generate themselves. Many of the fundraising activities focus on local charities such as The Murray Parish Trust, Hampshire Wildlife Trust, and Naomi House as well as national charities such as Scotties Little Soldiers, Macmillan Cancer Support and The Royal British Legion.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)

Led by Miss Kate Merrick, SMSC is a clear statement of the aims, principles and strategies for ensuring the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development of pupils at Prince’s Mead is met in addition to actively promoting fundamental British Values.