Structures and procedures have been developed which will encourage all pupils to fulfil their potential, promoting positive attitudes to learning within a caring and supportive environment. We believe that no child can learn successfully when worried or unhappy. We therefore aim to provide a calm, ordered and caring environment in which learning can take place and in which the pupils feel valued members of the school community. ‘‘Staff, pupils and parents are exceptionally positive about all aspects of the school. The pastoral care of pupils is excellent” (Ofsted) “ Pupils’ personal development is a jewel in the crown of this school. The promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is demonstrated through high-quality art, drama, music, sport, as well as pupil ‘s tolerance and empathy” (Ofsted) We aim through the school’s ethos, curriculum and activities to help all pupils to: The system of Pastoral Care at BHGS aims: During their time in school, pupils are in the overall care of Form Tutors and Heads of Year. Each pupil becomes part of a Tutor Group in Year 7, a form with which they will remain throughout their school career until they reach the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13). They will spend their first year in the care of a specialist Year 7 tutor and Head of Year 7. Their increasing maturity is marked by a potential change of Form Tutor in Year 8 and again in the Sixth Form. From Year 8 onwards, the Head of Year remains with the year group for 2 years and the Form Tutor remains with the pupils through to Year 11. Form Tutors and Heads of Year thus get to know pupils as individuals and are able to advise and guide them at each stage of their school career. Pupils meet with their Form Tutor for a daily registration or assembly. There are also Form Periods in which a range of activities are carried out to support their well-being and learning. These may include whole year assemblies, peer mentoring, private study and structured class discussion. Heads of Year are also readily available during the school day to assist pupils when problems or queries arise. A list of the Form Tutors for this year can be downloaded here: Head of Year 7 – Miss Lawrence Head of Year 8 – Mrs Cooper-Moulson (temporary cover for Mrs Gilham) Head of Year 9 – Ms Knott Head of Year 10 – Mrs Alliott Head of Year 11 – Miss Graves Head of Sixth Form – Mrs James Assistant Head of Sixth Form – Mr Kench In the Sixth Form students are placed with a Personal Tutor, retaining the same tutor throughout their courses. The tutors work closely with the pupils providing assistance and guidance where needed. All teaching staff are members of Year Teams. Year teams meet regularly through the year to discuss pastoral issues. The work of the Year teams is overseen by Mrs M Mansfield (Deputy Headteacher). We work closely with parents / carers and encourage you to contact the school as soon as a problem arises. In most instances initial contact should be made via your daughter’s Form Tutor. Consultation takes place both at evenings organised for each year group and at other times, by arrangement, whenever it is appropriate or necessary. Meetings with teachers can be arranged rapidly and telephone discussions can usually take place on the day a contact is made. Parents are welcome at BHGS but we do request that you make an appointment if you would like a meeting with a member of the pastoral team or a specific teacher. The school also provides additional support for individual pupils through such mechanisms as peer and academic mentoring, whilst also working with external agencies including The Park Education Support Centre and YC Hertfordshire. The Head of Pastoral Care / Inclusion, Mrs Mansfield, is available to discuss matters of a pastoral nature and offer support and guidance to pupils, parents/carers, and to support and coordinate the work of members of the pastoral staff. Mrs Jackson is the Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibility for Child Protection and Safeguarding Children. Mrs Mansfield, Mrs Alliott, Miss Graves, Ms Knott, Miss Lawrence, Ms Carroll, Mr Wood are all Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. At BHGS, we take the welfare of our pupils very seriously. BHGS commissions the services of a School Counsellor. Pupils can be referred by any member of staff including their Head of Year, SENDCO or member of the schools Senior Leadership team; students may also self-refer. Parents and carers can request Counselling on behalf of the student by contacting the students Heads of Year. There is usually a waiting list for this service. We have a behaviour support unit and pupils and their families are also able to benefit from impartial advice and guidance from YC Hertfordshire & YC Herts advisers through a dedicated adviser. In our highly valued Pupil Support Centre, pupils can find respite in times of need and get individualised support from their Head of Year if required. Lucy Osman works for Youth Connexions Hertfordshire. In her role as BHGS’s YC Herts Personal Adviser, she is qualified to offer impartial advice to pupils and students from Years 8 to 13 on matters relating to educational and career pathways and she is also able to access support from YC Herts advisers on matters such as sexual health, homelessness and substance misuse. Please see our School Counselling page for more information. If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing you might want to explore the following selection of free wellbeing and mental health resources with your child:Pastoral Care & Pupil Wellbeing
Form Tutors and Year Teams
Heads of Year (including Sixth Form)
Communication & Support
Pupil Well-Being
Behaviour Support – Diana Melian (SENDCO)
Impartial Advice & Guidance – Lucy Osman
School Counselling – Louise Carroll
By definition, a young carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after a family member or friend who has a physical or mental health condition, or misuses drugs or alcohol. They may also look after brothers, sisters or elderly relatives too. Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School was granted the Young Carers in Schools Bronze Award in 2021 for its work in ensuring students don’t miss out on an education because they are young carers. Young carers are children and young people under 18 years old who provide care and emotional support to someone who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances. Young carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. Young carers are a vulnerable and disadvantaged group, who often experience difficulties in their education. Without support, they can struggle to attend school and make good progress and a quarter of young carers have said they are bullied because of their caring role. At Bishop’s, we recognise that we have a responsibility to support our Young Carers. Increasing the awareness of young carers in schools, for both staff and pupils, therefore means that: Our School contacts: If your child is a Young Carer, please email us at: awilde@bishophatfield.herts.sch.ukYoung Carers
All staff are informed of pupils who have a caring role.
We run various Enrichment for Young Carers sessions and outings.
On Thursday mornings, we offer a breakfast club from 8 – 8:30am.
We also have two drop-in session where pupils with a caring role can relax and chat to other young carers (Tuesdays and Fridays at lunchtime in the Library), as well as the two pupil Ambassadors
