WYMONDHAM COLLEGE
ABOUT US - PASTORAL CARE
We expect schools to deliver good exam results, it is their core business. However for parents there is a more subtle yet equal expectation that their children will turn out to be 'good kids'; well-rounded young people with a sound moral foundation and a sense of purpose and drive.
Pastoral care is not written into a syllabus but it runs parallel to subject learning as it gives support to the emotional and spiritual growth of young people in what can be some of the most difficult years of personal development.
At Wymondham College we pride ourselves on the pastoral support offered to both boarding and day students largely through our House structure. Under the leadership of the Assistant Principals, Head of House and teams of both residential and non-residential staff are trained to support and listen, helping young people make decisions they can own and be proud of. The employment of a Wellbeing Manager and qualified counsellor, demonstrates a commitment to high quality pastoral care for both students and staff at the College. Pastoral care is not only reactionary but also proactive, reinforced by our strong moral messages through assemblies and throughout the curriculum.
Staff are committed to the pastoral care of students with all teaching staff embracing their roles as a tutor and understanding their responsibilities as role models.
We measure progress not only by exam results but also by the journey of children into confident, happy and caring young people.Our mantra of "work hard, be kind" underpins our belief that the quality of pastoral care is as valuable as the quality of teaching in the classroom.
MEET THE WELL BEING MANAGER
"The Wellbeing Manager's role came about following a recognition of the increasing need to adopt counselling in the college environment as a whole College approach as opposed to a bolt on service. Counselling in schools and colleges has been ad hoc at best historically and Wymondham College have both identified and acted on the need for students and staff to have access to a permanent therapeutic service on site. as well as following guidance from the DfE document released in March 2015 “Counselling in Schools – A Blueprint For The Future”.
Wymondham College views counselling as a way of helping young people through talking, listening and monitoring emotional regulation. The young person is encouraged to express their feelings and thoughts about their problem so they can understand themselves, gain awareness about their behaviours and therefore work on and improve ways of coping with family issues, friends and peer / group issues, self- development, anxiety and low mood. We also offer crisis sessions to students who may have experienced a trauma such as bereavement. Counselling within the College offers a regular space and time to talk or think about worries or difficulties, helps young people explore their feelings and look at how they might want things to be different, by talking and using a range of activities.
Rachael Hill who was appointed as Wellbeing Manager in August 2015 is a qualified counsellor and has worked with both young people and adults in school and community settings, mental health services and spent 10 years working in a homeless outreach capacity with clients living with addiction issues.
Rachael is excited about the future of the Wellbeing Service and will be offering group work, advice and information workshops / training for staff as well as both short and longer term one to one counselling sessions.”
Mrs Rachael Hill
Well Being Manager