Pastoral Care

We strive to provide a nurturing environment in which our pupils are happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled. That’s why we’re here with her through every success and failure, the highs and the lows.

Making time to listen to pupils as well as time for pupils to talk are an important part of our daily and weekly routine. The friendly face of a form teacher greets every pupil as they go into their class every morning to start their day together. Our quick wellbeing surveys each Monday morning are a useful way for teachers to check how everyone is feeling and whether they would welcome an opportunity to chat. Our Wellbeing Wednesday form times, designed in partnership with the Raising Resilience team of psychologists, are an opportunity to practise their BOUNCE skills. Through these, pupils learn how to navigate their way through their emotions and develop resilience, while ‘Paint and Chat’ sessions at break provide space and time to talk. Pupils learn that their feelings matter, that they are valued and are confident to raise small concerns before they become big worries.  Lower 2 (Year 5) pupils also take part in a ten-week Mindfulness programme in order to help them further develop tools to aid calm and inner peace when faced with challenging situations.

Once a year, the whole school comes off timetable to celebrate Wellbeing Day, which aims to help pupils to find balance and fulfilment in their sometimes-hectic lives by teaching how their bodies and minds function. During Wellbeing Day pupils (and staff) participate in activities such as feet painting, marble runs, mindful colouring, bead making, Lego building and clay sculpting. Outdoor events include visiting farm animals, gardening, giant bubbles, dog walking and parachute games.

A comprehensive PSHE and Relationships curriculum prepares pupils to develop and grow up into independent, responsible members of society with a respect for others and an understanding of the world we live in.  As a through school, we ensure our Upper 2 (Year 6) pupils move to our Senior School with skills and core values that enable them to embark on the next stage of their school-life confidently. The ISI inspectors agreed: “Junior School pupils are encouraged to face challenges, to strive to improve and to work things out for themselves.  They learn to understand themselves, to know their strengths and weaknesses and are well-prepared for the next stage of their lives.”

At LEH, the sense of community is palpable. Younger pupils settle in quickly and value the relationships they have with their ‘School Big Sisters’. Pupils of all ages enjoy taking on meaningful responsibilities such as being elected for School Council or Eco Squad. Upper 2 (Year 6) pupils are trained to be Peer Mentors and support other children where needed at lunch and break times. Upper 2 (Year 6) Cyber mentors and digital leaders can also advise and support other pupils who have worries about online safety and use of social media. 

We have a school nurse based in the Junior School who is on hand to deal with bumps and bruises, administer medication or give advice. Our school nurse gives great hugs and is a helping hand! We have a school counsellor on-hand should any of the pupils in our care need that extra bit of support to help them through any difficulties.

we are good communicators with parents

• Weekly newsletters
• Parents’ Evenings
• Parents’ Information Evenings (e.g. Maths, English, PSHE) and workshops
• Welcome Evenings
• Curriculum booklet
• The Friends of LEH school community events and activities
• Information on the school website, social media and Parent Portal
• Reporting to parents about children’s personal development through formal and informal means
• Parent talks and workshops such as Raising Resilience workshops and Parent Practice talks for parents on relevant topics such as Sleep, helping children develop positive friendships, sibling rivalry and the transition to Senior School
• Parents are made to feel welcome in the school at celebrations of work and achievement, assemblies, concerts, sporting and drama events
• Parents are encouraged to be volunteers on school visits and share expertise in the classroom and assemblies

If parents have concerns or worries they are encouraged to talk to their daughter’s Form Teacher, followed by the Deputy Head or Head of Junior School if necessary. Parents should feel able to share concerns about home circumstances or medical matters that might affect their child’s work or behaviour in school. Parents may wish to discuss health and medical matters with the school nurse.
 

giving and getting involved

At LEH we want our pupils to become good global citizens with an understanding and awareness of the local community and the world around them. We are fully committed to supporting local and national charities and in recent years have raised money for Children with Cancer UK, NSPCC, World Wildlife Fund, Friends of the Earth and Macmillian Cancer Support. 

Every year our pupils help to organise and take part in fundraising events such as cake sales, raffles, craft sales, dress up days and a sponsored swim to name but a few!

TRANSITION TO SENIOR SCHOOL 

Our expectation is that all pupils join us in Year 3 and stay with us right until the end of Sixth Form. At the end of Year 6 the vast majority of pupils transfer to the Senior School.  The Junior School is situated on the same 24 acre site as the Senior School and during your daughter’s time in the Junior School, she will use facilities in the Senior School and will get to know some of the Senior School teachers; a useful introduction to life in the Seniors. During the Summer Term of Upper 2 (Year 6), pupils take part in a detailed PSHE and wellbeing programme about moving up to Senior School and the challenges it involves. Support for parents is also provided at this stage in the form of a parent talk about how to help prepare your child for the transition to Senior School. This is normally given by an external speaker such as the Raising Resilience team of psychologists.

Parents all have an opportunity to view the Senior School as prospective parents, and we invite Junior School parents into the Senior School to become familiar and comfortable with what we hope will be your daughter’s future School.