Pastoral System

At some stage, most people in school become involved with the pastoral side of school life. We hope our system works well because of good relations and frequent personal contacts, including sound staff/pupil relationships. This area of the School's work is led by the Deputy Head, Mr Wardle, and many staff (not just academic staff) and pupils put in great efforts in this regard on behalf of the school community. The preservation of a warm, caring, friendly and ordered setting for our main activities is vital.

Form Teachers- each boy is placed in a form unit under the supervision and direction of a Form Teacher. He or she is the key member of staff with responsibility for your son. In addition to routine function, they act as a channel for information between school, home and the boys. Knowing the boys individually is very important and time is set aside for one-to-one interviews. The general atmosphere and tone of the classes and form bases depend on the Form Teachers and they should be the first contact for parents who have a concern about their son.

Year Heads- each group has its own Year Head who has oversight of the pastoral care, discipline and academic progress of all the boys in that particular cohort.

They correlate standards and deal with more serious problems of behaviour, academic work or personal difficulties and support form teachers, pupils and parents when needed.

Head of Year 7: Mr P Davidson

Head of Year 8: Mrs H M Baker

Head of Year 9: Mr R M Harrison

Head of Year 10: Mr K G Brace

Head of Year 11: Mr K M Hiepko

Head of Sixth Form: Mr C C Joseph

Heads of Section - the Lower School (Years 7-9) and Middle School (Years 10-11) each have a Head of Section, who has overarching responsibility for the pastoral welfare and academic development of boys in that part of the School

Head of Lower School: Mr R M Harrison

Head of Middle School: Mr K M Hiepko

The Heads of Section, in addition to acting as Head of Year to one of the relevant groups, work with Form Tutors and Year Heads to ensure that boys are making progress (both intellectual and personal) during these particular two/three years of their school life. The Head of Section will also take part in the resolution of serious pastoral and disciplinary issues, and will regularly discuss matters pertaining to their section of the School and its future development with the Deputy Headmaster, Mr Wardle, and Headmaster, Mr Britton.

The School does not permit or condone in any way or form corporal punishment.

The Headmaster- Mr P J Britton, has, of course, overall responsibility and is also Child Protection Officer for the School. He is always informed of serious matters relating to the welfare of the boys in school. He does his very best to be availalable to both boys and parents who might wish to speak to him on a pastoral issue.

School Counsellor- We are fortunate to have the services of Mrs Christine Edge who, as School Counsellor, is available to talk to pupils who need advice and support or where Form Teachers, Year Heads or Heads of Section feel she can offer her additional skills in dealing with difficult situations boys may face.

School Nurses- the school Nurses, Gill Grundy and Helen Hodgkins area tremendous asset to the School's effort to provide for the boys' welfare. Not only are they the first port of call for the various ailments and injuries the boys suffer, but are also professional and greatly trusted confidants.

Everyone Else! Bolton School is often referred to as a 'pastoral' school. We very much hope that is true.

See also Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

Download the Handbook for Parents of New Year 7 Boys.

senior boy pupils