Pastoral care is accorded a high priority in the Sixth Form and we believe strongly in a triangular partnership between parents, girls and staff. Regular one-to-one interviews are held between each student and her tutor in order to monitor progress and to set targets. The smooth running of this part of the school is overseen by the Head of Sixth Form.
Annual Parents’ Evenings are held and Records of Achievement are sent home once a year.
The school nurse and a counsellor are available for confidential advice.
Our pastoral system is based on the following beliefs:
- The school is a caring community which tries to ensure that every individual is equally valued and supported throughout her time at the school in order to achieve her full personal and academic potential
- Pastoral care has an important role in the personal development of our students and our system is designed to underpin the school’s core purpose of preparing them to take responsibility for themselves and others
- The fostering of self-respect, respect for others and respect for the immediate and wider environment are central to our aims
- We are committed to a partnership with parents in the pursuit of these aims
Girls at Heathfield, through the School Council, are given a chance to express their opinion about their life at school and are able to articulate the improvements that they would wish to see in their school.
The School Council gives our girls a sense of ownership of their school as the issues they raise are well addressed and feedback is provided. In addition, it helps them learn about elections, organisation, working in teams and taking responsibility for their life at school.