The Role of Pastoral Care at OLA
Our Lady’s Abingdon (OLA) believes in the power of positive role models through pastoral care. We want our pupils to feel safe and happy before progressing in learning. Pastoral care is an essential part of this puzzle. We explore the role of pastoral care at OLA and how it helps our pupils soar. We are recognised for offering excellent pastoral care for our school community.
Pastoral Care in Education
In its foundational form, pastoral care in a school setting involves providing for physical and emotional student well-being, a fundamental learning prerequisite. Schools that excel in implementing pastoral care go far beyond this basic responsibility. They incorporate pastoral care into all facets of school life, promoting students’ personal growth just as much as their academic achievements.
Why Does Pastoral Care Matter?
Ensuring children’s safety and happiness in school is a high priority for all parents. Nevertheless, the significance of pastoral care far transcends this. There is a strong association between education and health, with recent research indicating that students with good health and well-being tend to perform better academically. Pastoral care plays a critical role in developing important life skills, such as those imparted in a successful PSHE (personal, social, health, and economic) curriculum, which are linked with improved well-being and higher achievement. Effective pastoral care also greatly contributes to the cultivation of character and social skills that students will find invaluable in their future lives.
Pastoral Care Effectiveness
Schools that prioritise high-quality pastoral care incorporate it into their core operations. Our school community believes pastoral care is one of the fundamental basics of growth through learning. This commitment should be evident in all aspects of school life. Our pastoral care is evident in our learning environment, educational ethos, personal development, focus on the curriculum, and relationships between staff and students.
Attributes of a Pastoral Leader
A pastoral leader needs to be a strong leader for the school community. Our pastoral care leaders promote respect and values in our pupils. Some of the many attributes and competencies of a potential pastoral leader include:
- Compassion – The capacity to comprehend and resonate with the feelings and experiences of others.
- Attentive listening – The knack for diligently listening and reacting suitably to others.
- Expressiveness – The competence to convey information effectively to learners, guardians, and peers.
- Leadership – The proficiency to rouse and encourage others.
- Solution-oriented aptitude – The skill to pinpoint and tackle problems efficiently.
- Endurance – The strength to deal with pressure and disappointments.
How Does OLA Implement Pastoral Care?
OLA implements pastoral care in many ways. We encourage our pupils and teachers to provide emotional support to every person. Our older students take younger pupils under their wings to contribute to a family atmosphere. All pupils have a Form Tutor who acts as a role model and is there if they have any challenges. They take responsibility for their welfare and liaise with parents and staff.
We also place pupils in multiple small groups called ‘Buddy Families’. It’s essential for students to interact with their families at playtimes and activities. We stand behind this system, which ensures pupils get to know others in every age group. We’re proud of our house system, which promotes health competition and relationships.
At OLA, every section is managed by its own designated Head, who, in collaboration with Form Tutors, deeply familiarises themselves with pupils and their families. Assistant Heads provide further support and are principally accountable for the school’s pastoral care. Our Positive Behaviour Code serves as a conduct guideline for pupils, making them aware of our expectations, and the potential rewards for commendable work, effort, and participation in school activities.
Contact OLA Today
OLA proudly offers pastoral care to our pupils and OLA 6th students and provides emotional and academic support. We strive to ensure our pupils have positive role models to ensure they work toward lifelong educational success. We’re recognised as providing excellent pastoral care to our school community. Our team offers a nurturing and caring school. Contact us today to learn more about our pastoral care program.