Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is of great importance at Eltham College and it is an aspect of the school that was praised by the Inspectors when they visited the school in 2007.

We firmly believe that pastoral care is essential to the well being of our pupils, and that a successful pastoral system not only helps to ensure that pupils are happy in their school environment but also is a crucial support to our academic system. Success and enjoyment at school can come only if pupils feel supported and that an interest is being shown in their overall development, not just their results.

The school devotes plenty of time and resources to pastoral care; the Deputy Head is head of pastoral care and he works closely with a team of Heads of Year and their Deputies as well as the school nurse who meet regularly. The person in the pastoral structure with whom pupils will have most contact is their Tutor. Pupils meet their Tutor twice daily, at morning and afternoon registration, and there is an extended Tutor period once a week. Of course contact can occur at other times too, as the need arises. Tutors in the Lower School also have a weekly PSHE lesson with their Tutees. Tutors are selected carefully and training and support is given to them by Heads of Year and the Deputy Head. Pastoral Evenings take place at the start of the year for Year 10 and the Lower Sixth which aim to cover social issues which may affect them.

Discipline is also an important aspect of pastoral care and there is a clear set of processes in this area which are detailed in the Parents' Handbook. Pupils also have a copy of the School Rules in their calendars and in their Form Rooms. We always try to ensure that parents are informed of any disciplinary action that is being taken and are made aware of why we have acted in a particular way.

Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) is designed to support pastoral care at the school. A copy of the syllabuses in Years 7-11 can be found on the PSHE page and the taught courses are supplemented by a range of visiting speakers talking about drugs, alcohol or driving safety, for example. There are also information evenings organised for parents on a variety of topics including, most recently, cyber safety.