At Hatherop Castle School, pastoral care sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe that a happy child is a successful child, and our carefully designed support structures ensure every pupil feels safe, valued and known.

We go beyond academic education, helping children develop the emotional skills they need for life, resilience, confidence and kindness. Through strong relationships and close partnerships with families, we nurture young people who leave us happy, healthy and ready to make a positive contribution to the world.

Behaviour

At Hatherop we manage our behaviour system through housepoints and slips. We will always recognise the good but our expectations never deviate. We take enormous pride in our restorative approach to ‘not making the right choice’ and supporting children make better informed decisions. The pupil choice chart is displayed in all classrooms as a point of reference for the pupils. For more information about behaviour at Hatherop, please visit our behaviour policy.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

At Hatherop Castle School, mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of everything we do. We believe that children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and understood. Our approach is built around the simple but powerful principle that a happy child is a successful child.

We are proud to offer a strong, bespoke wellbeing provision that supports pupils in developing their own “emotional toolbox”. Through carefully designed strategies, trusted relationships, and dedicated spaces, we help children build resilience, confidence, and the skills they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

We have recently been awarded our Mental Health and Wellbeing Healthy Schools Award. This is a small recognition of the importance we place on mental health and wellbeing at Hatherop.

NEST (Nurture, Emotional Support Team)
Our NEST provision offers targeted emotional support for pupils who may benefit from additional help at certain times. One-to-one or small-group sessions, led by trained Mental Health First Aiders, focus on developing emotional understanding, coping strategies and confidence in a calm, supportive environment.

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
ELSA support forms a key part of our wellbeing provision. Specially trained staff work with pupils to help them understand and manage their emotions, supporting areas such as friendships, self-esteem, worry, change and loss, and building confidence and resilience for everyday life.

Counselling
We work closely with Cotswold Counselling and an independent counsellor to provide individualised emotional support for pupils. Referrals are made through the Deputy Head (Pastoral), who will guide families through the process and arrange appropriate support.

Mental Health First Aid
All teaching staff are trained in Mental Health First Aid, ensuring they are confident in recognising when a child may need support and responding with care and understanding.

NEST sessions take place during the school day, usually at the same time each week, and last around 30 minutes. Sessions may be individual or in small groups and are reviewed weekly by our Mental Health and Wellbeing team, with regular feedback shared with parents through form teachers or tutors.

Hatheropians

Wellbeing Ambassadors
Our Wellbeing Ambassador Committee, made up of pupils from Prep 4 to Prep 6, promotes pupil voice and peer support across the school. Meeting fortnightly with the Deputy Head (Pastoral), ambassadors lead wellbeing activities, offer friendly support at break times, and help shape a caring school culture.

YouHQ
Pupils in Prep 5 to Prep 8 use YouHQ, a digital wellbeing platform that supports emotional awareness and self-reflection. Weekly check-ins help pupils reflect on their mood, friendships and lifestyle, set personal goals, and raise concerns safely. Pupils can also request to speak directly to a member of staff, ensuring timely pastoral support.

Whisper Box and Chatterboxes
To support different ways of communicating, pupils can share concerns discreetly through our Whisper Box and classroom Chatterboxes. These are checked regularly by staff so that worries are acknowledged and responded to promptly.

House System
Every pupil belongs to one of three Houses: Fyfe, Bazley or Moorhead, providing a strong sense of belonging and community. Mixed-age House families ensure that every child is known, supported and benefits from positive peer relationships and role models.

Tutor and Form Time
From Reception to Prep 4, pupils are supported by a form teacher who provides continuity of care. From Prep 5 onwards, pupils meet regularly with an individual tutor, offering time to reflect, celebrate achievements and discuss any concerns in a supportive and trusting environment.

Monitoring and Supporting Wellbeing
Our pastoral provision is carefully monitored through secure recording systems, enabling staff to share information effectively, identify needs early and provide timely support. This whole-school approach ensures every child feels known, valued and supported to flourish.