Pastoral Care

At Polam Hall pastoral care is an integral part of all we do. Whether in lessons, tutor time, Reading (senior assembly), activities or unstructured time, there is clear focus on respect, friendship and care for both ourselves and others.

We try to live the school’s motto Concordia Crescimus (We Grow in Harmony) encouraging teamwork, tolerance and participation. Community and its associated values are made explicit in our Learner Profile and our behaviour codes require all pupils to be ready, respectful, safe and kind.

Whilst the horizontal tutor groups with Pastoral Leaders are the main pastoral system, pupils also experience different teaching groups, sets and vertical House groups. All pupils are allocated to one of our four Houses which provide a focus for regular activities and the weekly Challenge Quiz which, with the annual House Drama, Music, Sports and House Points is fiercely contested.

Senior pupils are given increased responsibility as they progress through school, from writing and taking assemblies, to escorting visitors around school or co-ordinating charity events. Having Junior pupils on the same site provides unique opportunities for cross-phase interaction, such as Concordia Crescimus challenge days and activities, House events and coaching and support. Senior pupils are encouraged to take up leadership roles in a variety of ways: peer mentors, anti-bullying ambassadors, sports leaders, form captains, school counsellors and a range of House positions.  Led by Interact, service and charity are also key elements of the Polam Hall experience as we hope to build interpersonal skills and encourage compassionate and self-confident young people.