Pastoral & Safeguarding
Student Support
Students may wish to speak to a member of staff about worries and anxieties. Their Form Tutors, whom they see daily during registration, are the first point of contact for such concerns. The Head of Year is another adult where a student can seek care and support for ongoing issues or difficulties faced in school. Each year group also has a Pastoral Support Assistant, who tracks students’ attendance and can be involved in supporting a pupil if there is a particular need. They will also be the first point of contact for parents about attendance and/or pastoral concerns.
The school will liaise with any external agencies involved with supporting our pupils, including organisations such as CAMHS, Open Door, Family Innovation Fund and Social Services. If the pastoral or safeguarding teams identify a student who may need specific support, referrals can be made to the School Counsellor and/or the School Nurse. Referrals and appointments with these professionals are subject to availability and will be organised by the school.
Our Sixth Form students are also valuable role models for their younger peers. Many of them act as mentors to students who may be struggling to cope with the demands of secondary school; these are organised and monitored by the pastoral team. Through weekly sessions, they offer advice on friendship issues, homework, and study skills as part of the Sixth Form Mentoring Scheme. They also support Year 7 students through the Paired Reading initiative.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding our students is everyone's responsibility.
Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share that commitment. This policy applies to all students, staff, parents, governors, volunteers and visitors to our school.
The staff members below are the first point of contact for parents, students, teaching and non-teaching staff and external agencies in all matters of child protection:
Safeguarding Team
Dr R J Wilkin Headteacher
Name |
Role |
Email Address |
| Mr D Giles |
Designated Safeguarding Lead SLT Line Manager for Year 10 & Year 11 |
|
| Miss F Scott |
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead SLT Line Manager for Sixth Form |
|
| Mrs A Baird |
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead SLT Line Manager for Year 9 |
abaird@buchs.co.uk |
| Ms K Wenborne |
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead SLT Line Manager for Year 8 |
kwenborne@buchs.co.uk |
| Miss T Orritt |
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead SLT Line Manager for Year 7 |
|
| Mrs K Mackenzie |
Lead Teacher for Safeguarding |
kmackenzie@buchs.co.uk |
Pastoral Team
Heads of Year
Name |
Role |
Email Address |
|
Miss E Lake |
Head of Year 12 |
|
|
Miss J Fazakerley |
Head of Year 11 |
|
|
Miss C Sanders |
Head of Year 10 |
|
|
Miss L Newman |
Head of Year 9 |
|
|
Miss F O'Grady |
Head of Year 7 & Year 8 |
Pastoral Support Assistants
Name |
Role |
Email Address |
|
Mrs C Fryer |
Pastoral Support Assistant for Sixth Form |
|
|
Mrs C Gibbon |
Pastoral Support Assistant for Year 10 and Year 11 |
|
|
Miss K Walsh |
Pastoral Support Assistant for Years 8 & 9 |
|
|
Miss C Lester |
Pastoral Support Assistant for Year 7 |
The School Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found on the School Policies page.
The following websites are useful sources of information for parents seeking advice and guidance on safeguarding issues:
https://www.escb.co.uk/
Support & advice for parents | NSPCC
Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life
I’m looking for support with being a parent or carer | Barnardo's
Medical
BUCHS aims to support all students with medical conditions or those who feel unwell in terms of both their physical and mental health. Prescribed medication, emergency medication and student's spare asthma inhalers are stored in the medical room and are administered when necessary.
There is a set procedure when students are unwell in school. They should report to the medical room (having sought the permission of the teacher of their current lesson and having their school planner signed) where they will be assessed by an on-site First Aider who will decide if they need medical attention, should be sent home, or are well enough to complete the school day. If the student needs to be sent home, the First Aider will make the call to parents/guardians. Students should not phone or text home directly.
The Brentwood Schools Nursing Team (NHS) run a drop-in session every fortnight during the school term. A nurse from this team can offer confidential help and advice regarding general health concerns, emotional well-being, stop smoking advice, relationships and healthy lifestyles.
Assemblies
Every year group has an assembly once a week which forms the Act of Worship for that day. Assemblies are led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Year, School Chaplain, a Form Group or the Student Leadership Team, and on some occasions outside speakers. The assembly gives a wonderful opportunity to bring the year group together for prayer and reflection, and assemblies cover a wide range of topics and themes all rooted in our faith and shared values. Student participation is encouraged in all assemblies. As well as a time of prayer, assemblies also provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate success across the year group; from sport to music to drama to attendance. As well as a year group assembly once a week, students also have a House Assembly every three weeks. This is organised by the Head of House and House Team.
Pastoral Intent
Our Pastoral Intent:
- ensures a right to learn for students and a right to teach for staff. Our school is a place for students to learn, and we work hard to ensure that students understand the behaviour expectations in school. Students understand that we expect them to behave in a certain way so that they and their peers can learn and teachers can teach.
- ensures opportunities for enrichment beyond the academic curriculum which raise aspiration, develop life skills, celebrate interests, talents, achievements and skills and provide memorable experiences. Students will understand the enrichment that comes with out-of-class learning, realised in the uptake of co-curricular activities, Curriculum Extension Days and leadership roles.
- aims to work closely with Parents/Carers and outside agencies to ensure regular attendance and that Parents/Carers are offered advice and support to improve their child’s attendance.
- expects all adults in the school community to recognise their responsibility as role models to the students and all adults have knowledge and understanding to ensure students are safe, cared for and are ready to learn. Staff are aware of the impact emotions and life events can have on students’ ability to succeed at school. They are quick to evaluate changes in students’ behaviour.
- values students’ opinions, and surveys are carried out to gather views of school processes, procedures and experiences. This then identifies further areas of improvement in our practice to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.
- expect all students and teachers to recognise the importance of meta skills in aspects of their school work and life beyond school.
- expect all students and teachers to recognise and action the language of the Ursuline Education Community
- expect all students and teachers to act and speak the spirit of St Angela Merici’s prayer, demonstrate insieme and an awareness of spiritual, social, moral and multi-cultural understanding.