Pastoral Care is at the heart of all we do. Our ethos is built around prioritising the social, emotional, physical and educational welfare of our pupils and ensuring every child is safe, happy and able to focus at school and progress to meet their potential.
Swanbourne pupils thrive in our warm, welcoming and supportive environment and they strive to make a positive contribution towards the school community. We have a culture of openness and trust and the children enjoy excellent relationships with the school staff, who know them well as individuals.
Promoting good behaviour and shaping kind and compassionate individuals who take action to help others are important to us. Every child from Year 3 upwards is an ‘anti-bullying ambassador’ and takes responsibility for upholding the Swanbourne Way, the school’s code of conduct which every pupil agrees to follow: be honest, follow instructions, use positive language, and keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
Each pupil has a Form Tutor who, in the Lower School (Pre-Reception to Year 4), is their day-to-day class teacher and the child’s go-to person for any concerns they or parents might have. In the Middle and Upper School (Year 5 to Year 8), every child has a Personal Tutor as well as a Form Tutor. The Personal Tutor has full pastoral and academic oversight of their small group of 6-8 tutees, with whom they meet every week. The vertical Personal Tutor system also enables children to socialise and collaborate with children in different year groups. There is additional pastoral support for children from the Head of Lower School (Pre-Reception – Year 4), Head of Middle School Tutors (Year 5 and Year 6), Head of Upper School Tutors (Year 7 and Year 8), Housemasters/Housemistresses and Head of Boarding.
The pastoral care system in school is managed by our Designated Safeguarding Lead, who is a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team.
Counselling
+As part of our commitment to pupil welfare, we employ an independent School Counsellor, Mrs Jane Rushton, to whom pupils have direct access when required. Counselling in school provides pupils and staff with a safe, confidential space to explore various issues that may be concerning them. Mrs Rushton is a former Swanbourne House parent and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She is available for one-off or regular appointments on Mondays and Thursdays.
Medical Care
+We operate a surgery situated in the Cloisters which is run by qualified and skilled nursing staff during school hours. We also work in partnership with a local GP Surgery to provide more extensive medical care to our boarding pupils.