A great deal of emphasis is placed on pastoral care at Leweston. We are entirely committed to providing an environment that inspires warmth, confidence, creativity and personal development in all our pupils, whether they attend Leweston as a day pupil or boarder.
A pupil’s well-being and happiness is critical to their success. Leweston’s supportive programme of care ensures that every pupil’s welfare is monitored and any concerns dealt with sensitively and effectively. It helps that the school is of such a size that all staff know pupils as individuals.There is always someone to whom the pupils can turn for help and advice.
THE TUTOR SYSTEM
The first point of contact for pupils is usually their Form Tutor. These members of staff see pupils every day and have a role in monitoring their academic progress as well their personal well-being. Tutors are supported by a wider pastoral team which includes Heads of Year, the Director of Boarding, House Parents, the Health Centre nurses, the Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, the School Counsellor and the Deputy Head Pastoral.
The Heads of Year have overall responsibility for their tutor teams, an overview of pupil progress and the general welfare and behaviour of the group. In the Senior School there are three Heads of Year which represent the distinct stages – Year 7, Years 8 and 9 and Years 10 and 11.
PEER MENTORING
At Leweston pupils are encouraged to support each other with the older pupils playing an important part in the care of the younger ones. Leweston’s peer mentoring scheme is run by the Pastoral Team. Every September Sixth Form volunteers, all of whom have had mentoring training, build a relationship with the new starters to support and befriend them during their first term at Leweston with some of the relationships lasting through school and beyond. In addition to this new pupils joining the school are given guardians, experienced day or boarding pupils in their own year group who will support them during the settling in period.
THE HOUSE SYSTEM
The Houses at Leweston encourages a sense of belonging within the school and provide the opportunity for pupils to work with those in other year groups. The School doesn’t operate separate day and boarding houses, all pupils belong to one of four: Campion, Fisher, Mayne and More. The Houses support the activities and charity programme organising competitions, games and fundraising events. They also link the Senior and Prep schools ensuring that the oldest pupils in the school know and care for the youngest.
Each House has a Sixth Form House Captain who is responsible for coordinating events. They are supported by a staff member in the role of Head of House. All pupils are encouraged to be part of the school community learning to co-operate and form relationships with others.
