Clifton High School is renowned for the high level of pastoral care its staff community affords each pupil.
Pupil and parent expectations, together with the natural onset of emotional and physical changes, require adjustment and understanding within the care of the School environment.
Mr Luke Goodman - Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral / Designated Safeguarding Lead
At Clifton High School, we understand the changes associated with children as they transition and navigate through Senior School. We are not complacent about their wellbeing needs, and we place enormous emphasis on retaining their feelings of confidence, safety and support as they face the challenges associated with adolescence.
This pupil-centric approach is collaborative with Form Tutors who offer extreme value to a child's experience at Clifton High School. They tailor advice to the individual needs of each child so they feel seen, heard and understood.
We implement the following provisions:
- Form Tutors work collectively with subject teachers to administer and oversee an additional level of pastoral support for Senior School pupils' academic, social and emotional progress to be monitored.
- Pupils meet in small groups of ten or fewer with their Form Tutor to uphold a partnership that focuses on effective communication. An insight into the individual allows Form Tutors to mentor academically and beyond the curriculum.
- Fortnightly 1-2-1 tutor periods between pupils and their Form Tutor are dedicated time slots that allow time to discuss academic progress, wellbeing and any concerns a pupil may have encountered.
- An appreciation for the two quite distinct year-group phases between Year 7 and 9, and Year 10 and 11, helps Senior School staff members and Form Tutors act as a voice of reason or correction throughout the duration of a pupil's education in these years.
- Regular interaction and communication with parents through written reports, meetings and an open-door policy.
Health & Wellbeing Lessons
As part of Clifton High School's Senior School education, we actively promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education Program, known as Health and Wellbeing.
These vital lessons are implemented to provide young people with the knowledge, understanding, strategies and practical skills to lead safe, healthy and productive lives and to meet their full potential.
Pupils receive Health and Wellbeing education in an age-appropriate manner, underpinned by the School's ethos and values of Curiosity, Empathy, Love and Direction. Lessons adhere to Government policy guidance and are monitored and reviewed regularly by our wellbeing staff members, Counsellor and the Council of Governors.
Feedback from parents is also vital in shaping our Health and Wellbeing curriculum to prepare pupils for life beyond School so they are socially, emotionally and academically secure.
To view a sample Health & Wellbeing timetable, click the link below:
Community values continue to sit at the heart of Clifton High School's pastoral ethos. We remain connected to families through Parent Partnership Events that include social interaction and talks, where guest speakers are invited to address parents on relevant wellbeing and pastoral topics.
Our Parent Focus Groups also invite a collaborative approach to a Senior School pupil's education at Clifton High School, so that everyone feels confident in the scaffolding we construct to keep pupils safe and secure throughout their School day.
Our School values of Curiosity, Empathy, Love and Direction are threaded through all elements of a pupil's learning. They are more than words; they are behaviours that become second nature to our pupils and are fundamental to what it means to be part of our Clifton High School. We are 'Beyond a School; A Place to Belong'.
