Pastoral Care

The pastoral care of all of our students is a top priority at King Edward’s.

The role of the tutor is absolutely vital in this process: they will see your child more often than any other member of staff and will form a close bond as a result.

Pastoral Structure

The Lower School comprises the First, Second and Third Years (Years 7, 8 and 9); the Upper School encompasses the Fourth and Fifth Years (Years 10 and 11) and the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) embraces the final two years in the School.

Tutors

Pupils who join the school in the First Year are allocated to a form, which serves as both their tutor group and their teaching group for this first year. After the First Year, pupils move into a new tutor group and they remain in this tutor group for two years. This means that the tutor groups include pupils from two year groups, which we believe increases the value for everyone and helps to bridge the barriers that might otherwise separate year groups. At the start of the Fourth Year and at the start of the Lower Sixth, pupils will again move into a new tutor group. The tutor is responsible for the supervision, guidance and care of the pupils in his/her tutor group, meeting them every morning at 8.40. Tutors keep records of attendance and academic progress for each pupil in their group and are also aware of individual circumstances and needs. Concerns about day-to-day administration, work, co-curricular activities or other related matters are addressed to the tutor in the first instance. The choice of tutor for each area of the School is very carefully considered in order to maximise their experience and specialisation to the benefit of the pupils. Tutors are assisted by group prefects in the Lower School. These are senior pupils who volunteer for the pastoral care involved and have been chosen by the tutor and the Head of Lower School, in consultation with the Sixth Form pastoral team. The group prefects attend group meetings on a regular basis and are available to offer help and advice to younger pupils.

Head of Year

There are Heads of Year for each of the year groups, one of whom is the Head of Lower School, another is the Head of Upper School. There is also a Director of Sixth Form who oversees the Sixth Form Heads of Year. There is an assistant Head of Year in the Lower School who is responsible for the new pupils who join the school in the Third Year. There is also an assistant Head of Year in the Upper School. All pastoral heads, the Assistant Head (Pastoral) and the Senior Deputy Head are available for consultation when appropriate.

Houses

All pupils on admission are assigned to one of six Houses, Capon, Lake, Lawrence, Reynolds, Sylvester and Watts; all named after eminent Edwardians.

Tutor Groups

A typical Second and Third Year tutor group has approximately sixteen pupils. A similar arrangement exists in the Upper School where each group has a balance of Fourth and Fifth Year pupils. In the Sixth Form each tutor group has approximately twelve students, with a mixture of both year groups. All pupils in the Second to Fifth Years inclusive, as well as being a member of a tutor group, belong to a form for their academic studies.

School Nurses

The School Nurses are responsible for first aid and general medical assistance for pupils and are available throughout the school day.

School Counsellor

The School Counsellor, who has had specialist training, offers a confidential service to pupils who wish to consult someone other than their tutor or another member of staff. Pupils may do this directly or after referral by their tutor.

Personal, Social and Health Education

The Head of PSHE coordinates all PSHE activities across the School. PSHE activities take place during group base, First Year tutorial period and on specific PSHE days.

KES PTA

KES PTA (our parents’ association) is open to all friends of the school including parents, staff, Governors and Old Edwardians, and plays an essential part in supporting the school. The Council is elected at the AGM in the autumn and meets each term. The main objectives are to promote the school and supplement its facilities. Regular social functions are the New Pupil and Parents’ Evening in September and the Annual Quiz. As well as organising many social and fund-raising functions, the society runs the OBNO (Outgrown But Not Outworn) secondhand uniform shop.