Pastoral Care

BEDFORD PREP SCHOOL

We believe that for a boy to learn he must be happy and we have several tiers of pastoral care to ensure that the needs of all boys in our school are fulfilled. The Assistant Head (Pastoral) has overall responsibility for the pastoral care and safeguarding in the Prep School and oversees a team of Heads of Year – one for each year group – who have responsibility for both the academic and pastoral needs of the boys in their year group. Each Head of Year also has responsibility for managing the Tutors in their year group. For any query about a pastoral or academic concern, your son’s Tutor should be the first point of contact. Please be assured that they will work hard to ensure that your son settles in quickly and successfully. We encourage parents to contact their son’s Tutor by email if they have any concerns about their son that they may wish to share with them. Your son’s Head of Year will also be an important point of contact.

Tutor Groups

For the first two years the class teacher (referred to as a Tutor) takes the major responsibility for subject teaching and then, as the boys move up the school, greater specialisation is introduced. As boys move into Year 5 the academic and pastoral organisation changes. Each boy is allocated to a form with a Pastoral Tutor who teaches their form for at least one subject. Boys have a form base but move around the school to specialist areas for lessons and are taught by subject specialists. This pastoral system continues until Year 8 when boys are encouraged to become increasingly independent in their learning. The curriculum continues to be broad, with expectations increasing in terms of assessment and homework. In Year 5, boys are grouped by ability for the first time in maths. This is based on measures of underlying ability. Boys are assessed regularly through the year by means of end of unit tests in the majority of subjects. From Year 6 to Year 8 boys are also grouped by ability in other subjects based on measures of underlying ability and performance in assessments.

The Houses

On joining the Prep School, your son will be allocated to one of four houses: Bunyan, Harpur, Howard or Whitbread. Each house includes boys of all ages and seven members of staff, including the Housemaster. A house assembly takes place weekly. Inter-house competitions are organised across the age range and in as many fields as possible, and all boys are given the opportunity to contribute points for their house.

Academic Staff

A full list of academic staff in the Prep School can be found in the parents’ section of the school website.

School Rules

Copies of all school policies, including the school rules, can be found in the parents’ section on the school website.

We would be grateful if you could draw your son’s attention to the following policies: ‘School Rules’ and ‘Mobile Phones and Other Digital Technology’.

The Chapel

The school welcomes all faiths. Its foundation is nevertheless rooted in the Christian tradition and the chapel plays an important part in the life of the school community, symbolising Bedfordians past and present, and providing a daily reminder of life’s spiritual dimension. Families are always welcome to join us for Sunday Services in the chapel. The school Chaplain, Mr McCleery, is available throughout the school term and during much of the holidays, and provides pastoral counselling and support to any member of the school community.

BEDFORD PREP SCHOOL

Medical Centre

The school has a professionally staffed and equipped medical centre which offers all boys a kind, confidential and professional service. They deliver a high standard of nursing care: aiming to treat every pupil holistically, looking at their social, psychological and physical needs. The medical centre has a treatment room and a quiet seating area. The medical centre supports the national child measurements programme by taking measurements of pupils in Year 6 (ages 10-11).

Medical Questionnaires Medical questionnaires are completed before admission to the school. The school nurse will check these and identify any health issues. If necessary, a care plan is written in consultation with you and your son. It is essential that your son’s medical questionnaire is completed and emailed to nurse@ bedfordschool.org.uk by Monday 13 June. We may be unable to allow your son to start with us if this form has not been completed in full and returned to the school.

You will also be asked to regularly update your son’s medical information during his time at the school to ensure that his medical record remains accurate.

EU Medical Cards Boys from within the European Union (EU) should bring their medical card with them at the start of each term.

Medicines Short-term prescribed medication (e.g. antibiotics) prescribed to day boys by their GP that require a school-time dose must be handed into the medical centre in their original container displaying clear instructions. In addition, a letter from a parent giving permission for school staff to give this dose is required. The nurses at the medical centre can be contacted on +44 (0)1234 362261 or email: nurse@ bedfordschool.org.uk. Further information on the giving of medicines to day boys can be viewed here. We would ask that you refer to this guide for detailed information and instructions. Staff at the Medical Centre y Jill Turner-Webb, Lead Nurse y Trish Comerford, School Nurse (part time) y Karen Henry, School Nurse (part time) y Holly Clifton, School Nurse (part time) y Claire Collins, School Nurse (part time) y Kerry Spearing, Administrator (part time) The nursing team are available during term time from 08:15 to 17:30, Monday to Saturday. The school Medical Officers are local GPs from the De Parys Group. They are available in school each Tuesday and Thursday between 10:30 and 11:30.

Counselling at Bedford School

The school has a long established counselling service. All boys are free to visit and talk to a school counsellor in complete confidence for help and support during difficult times. Boys can seek help and advice on a wide range of issues. Counsellors are available at school during term time: Monday 12:00 - 15:00 Tuesday 15:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 12:00 - 15:00 Thursday 12:00 - 17:00 Friday 12:00 - 14:00 Appointments can be made by emailing counsellor@ bedfordschool.org.uk, by calling +44 (0)1234 362248 (voice mail available) or through the school medical centre: +44 (0)1234 362261.