A particular strength of our Boarding provision is that we have a dedicated boarding team who are not teachers but who have backgrounds and training in care, which means that unlike teachers who are given this as an additional responsibility, they are able to provide very high levels of support for the young people in their charge. They are ably assisted by a team of qualified teachers who provide support in the evenings and at weekends for prep and other activities.
Every member of the boarding staff team has a role in creating a vibrant harmonious learning environment, ensuring Every Child Matters standards are met and exceeded.
"Boarders value their friendships with peers and the successful and constructive relationships they enjoy with members of staff. They feel cared for and secure; they are confident that their worries or concerns are responded to positively and they are given appropriate guidance to make good choices" - Ofsted 2012
Each Houseparent has a small group of students for which they are nomiated "Key Worker". This relationship is vitally important to the students wellbeing and is the core element of the care planning system. The Key Workers closely monitors the progression of their students, and also accompany them to school events such as parent evenings and mentor days. This is not restrictive; our students are free to choose who they wish to seek guidance from about any matter, at any time. We all work to ensure they are equipped to make considered and informed decisions.
"Pastoral support is purposeful and effective. Comprehensive care planning, risk assessment, and robust management of medication underpin this. Boarders are provided with excellent information, guidance, and support relating to health and emotional well-being" - Ofsted 2012
The Deputy Head of Boarding attends the lower and upper site safeguarding meetings, where all pupils academic, pastoral and beahavioural issues are discussed where a team approach may be needed to aid progress, enabling the child to remain happy, safe and healthy.
The role of the Guardian is to give support and guidance to the student and the Boarding House staff from the family perspective, when parents are either working abroad, away on holiday or not living in this country.
A Guardian may be required to adopt the role 'in loco parentis', to accomomdate and support a student in times of change of circumstance or need. They may also be asked to give their permission for an overnight Exeat to a friends house or medical treatment, and they are required to provide the travel arrangments for holidays.
Within a school context, there is an additional pastoral system in operation. The personal mentor gets to know their students very well and monitors and records achievement in every aspect of school life. As well as the year teams, we also support students by providing a trained counsellor working across both sites to provide opportunities for confidential talk with students. We also have beahaviour support managers to work with students who are having difficulties in the classroom environment. Health education advice is offered by our two school nurses, who are also site based. The skills development team assist students with providing new strategies and approaches to areas of their education and personal development which need intervention to allow the students to succeed. Finally, we have careers advisors who work to assist all QE students in areas of careers and the transition to becoming a fully functioning adult in the wider world.
Last updated: 05 October 2012
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