PASTORAL CARE IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO
Kent College has a reputation for being a friendly and caring school, and our pastoral structure is designed to give all pupils the support they need from the start of their school career to the day they leave. Our mission is always be pupil-centred and to focus on enabling every child to become the best they can be.
Our shared aim is that each student should feel safe in an environment that is conducive to learning and develops resilience, adaptability, resourcefulness, tolerance, diversity and fairness.
We recognise that good pastoral care should be reflected in all aspects of school life, through our ethos, the school environment and in the way that personal development occurs through the curriculum and the wealth of extracurricular activities on offer. The friendly atmosphere, together with positive, respectful and informed staff-pupil relationships demonstrate the success of our pastoral care.
How we Support our Students
Our Senior Teacher Pastoral, oversees all aspects of student wellbeing and pastoral care at KC. They are also responsible for all disciplinary matters in the school and coordinate with the Heads of Year to ensure the welfare of all students.
They also act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Kent College, and also manages the Medical Team ensuring excellent support and care is provided for day and boarding students.
To contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Please contact dsl@kentcollege.co.uk
Year Heads
The Year Heads lead their teams of Tutors, and have overall responsibility for the academic and pastoral wellbeing of the pupils in their age groups. All of the Year Heads work in close co-operation with the Tutors, House Parents, Senior Teachers and Senior School Head Master to ensure the well-being of all pupils at Kent College.
Mrs Tracy Watton
- Assistant Head of Middle School and Head of Year 10
- +44 (0)1227 763231
- twatton@kentcollege.co.uk
Mrs Sarah Taylor
- Head of Middle School and Head of Year 11
- +44 (0)1227 763231
- staylor@kentcollege.co.uk
Mr Tim Phillips
- Assistant Head of Sixth form & Head of Year 12
- +44 (0)1227 763231
- tphillips@kentcollege.co.uk
The Head of Student Personal Development and Wellbeing, Mrs Tracy Watton is responsible for the development and implementation of the PSHE and Wellbeing programme at KC with a particular focus on pupil mental health. She leads the PSHE Teaching team and works closely with all the pastoral teams.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic
Tutor
PSHE at Kent College acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with the transition to Secondary School, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. Our PSHE programme of study teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.
At Key Stage 3, students build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase.
At Key Stage 4, students deepen their knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during Key Stage 3. At Kent College we want to reflect the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.
At Key Stage 5 we want to ensure that students have the knowledge and understanding, skills, strategies and attributes they need for independent living and the next stage in their education or career.
All pupils have a Tutor and are part of a Tutor Group made up of several pupils in the same year group (though not necessarily the same teaching group). If a parent has any concerns about their son or daughter, then the Tutor is the first person they should contact, usually by email.
The Tutor:
- sees their Tutor Group every morning for registration
- Is always available for support and advice, and to discuss any problems
- Is responsible for welfare and academic progress
- Is the first port of call for parents when contacting the school
- keeps an eye on attendance and punctuality
- monitors behaviour and involvement in activities.
The Pastoral Network
The staff listed above are part of a much wider network of pastoral support. Pupils may also seek help or advice from:
- Prefects or other trustworthy senior pupils
- Year 9 and 10 Mentors
- House Parents and House Tutors
- The Chaplain
- The Head
School Counsellors
Sometimes a pupil may want to talk to someone who is not involved in the running of the school and he or she may ask for an appointment with the Counsellors.
- Clare Mounter is available on Mondays
- Jayne Gledstone is available on Fridays.
- Pupils can make an appointment through the Sister on duty in the Medical Centre or the Year Head.
- Alternatively, they may also contact the counsellors by:
- leaving a note in their postbox in the Medical Centre
- leaving a written request in the Medical Centre or with the Chaplain
- emailing - schoolcounsellor@kentcollege.co.uk.
- In addition, there is a ‘drop-in’ service for which no appointment is required on Monday at 1-1.30 and on a Friday at 1-1.30. There is also an Independent Listener, Mrs Hilary Brian (07779347969), who is introduced to the school at the start of each year.
Competitive School Houses
Augustine House
Becket House
Chaucer House
Marlowe House
The four competitive School Houses form another important part of the pastoral life of the whole school. All pupils and staff of the Senior School belong to one of these Houses, which are called Augustine, Becket, Chaucer and Marlowe.
Each House has a staff and a pupil Head. The Heads of the Houses, together with their pupil committees, organise a wide variety of House competitions and activities, and all pupils are encouraged to participate in these. In addition pupils may earn House points for academic and extra-curricular merit, all of which contribute to the inter-House competition. Each term a cup is awarded in Final Assembly to the school House with the most House points for that term.
Pupils take great pride in representing their school House. Everyone in a Tutor Group is in the same House, and girls wear House badges, while boys wear House ties. House competitions range from drama and music, to chess, problem-solving, photography, sport, art and spelling bees.
Learn more
If you want to find out about how to apply, click on the links below for more information.