Pastoral life and wellbeing

Through its generously resourced pastoral structure, we provide a comprehensive level of pastoral care and attention that remains a feature of the school. 

Deputy head: pupils

The pastoral care within the school is overseen by the deputy head: pupils who reports directly to the headmaster. 

Head of section

The heads of year and deputy heads of section are overseen by the heads of section: Lower School (Hill form and Years 7 and 8), Middle School (Years 9, 10 and 11) and the Sixth Form. The heads of section provide leadership and advice to pastoral staff and pupils, monitoring the behaviour and performance of pupils in their sections and ensuring a smooth transition between year groups. 

Deputy head of section

Each section has a deputy head of section who provides pastoral support across the year groups, as well as leading the Life Education section and focussing on bespoke projects which improve the pupil experience.  

Head of year

Beyond the form tutor is the head of year who provides pastoral leadership for the year group and the team of tutors. The head of year is responsible for monitoring pupils’ pastoral welfare, behaviour and general academic performance and will respond to any matters referred by staff, ensuring effective liaison with parents. 

Counselling 

There is a confidential counselling service at Emanuel which is open to any pupil, with the three counsellors working Monday to Friday between them.

Counselling sessions last 30-50 minutes and pupils are generally offered 12 weekly sessions, although this can vary depending on the individual’s needs at the time. Pupils are welcome to make an appointment to visit the counsellor to discuss any concerns they may have, without the fear of them being discussed elsewhere. However, if there is any concern for the safety of the child or another person, this information will immediately be passed to the school’s deputy head: pastoral and designated safeguarding lead.

In addition, each of the counsellors offers a drop-in service over the lunch break where any pupil is able to drop in individually, or with a friend/s, to discuss anything which may be on their mind at the time. Often this is a positive space to discuss friendship dynamics and challenges.

Counselling can be accessed by any pupil, but for those in Years 6 and 7, parental consent will need to be sought. Pupils in years above can access without consent although, where possible, the counsellors always encourage pupils to share that they have chosen to access counselling with their parents.

Medical service

The medical room is staffed from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Pupils can see one of the school nurses during the course of the day if they are unwell, or to take any medication that may be prescribed during school hours.

Further information about our medical service can be found on our first aid policy (please refer to our policies).

Educational psychologists

As part of the outstanding pastoral care we provide here at Emanuel, the school works closely with two Educational Psychologists to guide our pastoral work with pupil and to ensure it remains as effective as possible. They also ensure the school is guided towards any external support and resources it might access for specific pupils.

The chaplain 

The chaplain is available as a pastoral support and confidential listening ear for staff, pupils and parents and nurtures spirituality and religious and philosophical reflection within the school, as well as leading our collective worship in chapel.  

Reverend Bailey-Smith taught dance in schools in Westminster for many years, after completing her degree in Dance and Theology, sharing her love of movement and creativity. Her commitment to her Christian faith led her to train for Ordination in the Church of England, whilst working as Assistant Chaplain at Alleyn’s school.

She was Ordained at Southwark Cathedral in June 2023, and will serve her curacy at St. James’ Church Clapham, alongside her role at Emanuel. She will be licensed as our School Chaplain by the Bishop of Kingston, Bishop Martin, on 9^th November in the school’s Chapel.

Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong interest in the performing arts. She is a Trustee of Nine Elms Arts Ministry and will continue to teach dance and Pilates to pupils on a Wednesday afternoons here at Emanuel.

Reverend Bailey-Smith lives locally in Clapham with her husband and three young adult sons who all attended Emanuel.

Staff and pupils of differing faiths to Christianity  

The chaplain facilitates prayer for members of other faiths by organising a prayer space for them or arranging counsel from a minister of their own religion (in cooperation with parents and in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and visiting speaker policy). Religious Studies provides an opportunity to learn more about a variety of faiths and the Life Education programme provides the opportunity to explore secular ideas and practices such as mindfulness. 

Religious background of the school and current day situation  

Founded in 1594, Emanuel School was founded by Lady Dacre as an Anglican Christian foundation to provide education within a Christian ethos. Originally the wardens (headmasters) of the school were Anglican priests and when this ceased to be the case, the role of the chaplain was created. The presence of a chaplain in the school today, licenced by the Bishop of Southwark, along with chapel worship in its various forms, represents a continuity with that foundation.  

The religious and spiritual life of London has changed very much since Lady Dacre’s day and this is reflected by our pupil and staff body which is made up of people of varying faiths and of no faith. However, Emanuel continues to acknowledge its Christian heritage and use this as a framework for promoting equality and diversity, and the promotion of fundamental British values, the rule of law and individual liberty.  

Collective worship at Emanuel  

The school chapel stands at the physical centre of the school and pupils attend once each week in Years 6-9 and fortnightly in all other years. Services usually consist of a hymn, an address by the chaplain or another member of staff, prayers, an anthem sung by the chapel choir and a blessing.  

Major occasions in the school’s life are marked by special services, using Westminster Abbey (every five years), St Luke’s Clapham, and St Mark’s Battersea at key points in the school year. It is hoped that school services make an important contribution to pupil’s cultural experience whilst enriching their overall school experience.

Every effort is made to ensure that each student and staff member can take something of relevance from the addresses given in chapel, regardless of their faith or beliefs. 

Further opportunities for worship and spiritual reflection  

Beyond the regular school services, optional opportunities for prayer and worship are also available. Occasional prayer groups are held and Holy Communion is celebrated approximately eight times per year on significant days in the school and church’s calendar and on staff inset days. There is a parent’s prayer group which meets monthly in term-time to pray for the needs and wellbeing of the school community. The school chapel is also available for baptisms, weddings and funerals (although these are rare). 

Opportunities for spiritual counsel  

The chaplain is not only available to listen to people’s pastoral concerns but is also available for spiritual counsel and prayer to those members of the community who may want to discuss spiritual matters privately. Pupils also have the opportunity to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation at Emanuel and a group is usually run.  

There are eight houses at Emanuel that run vertically from Year 6 to the Upper Sixth. They are called Clyde, Drake, Lyons, Wellington, Howe, Nelson, Marlborough and Rodney. The main purpose of the house system is to foster links between pupils of different ages to act as role models through activities and competition. The head of house is an additional member of each pupils pastoral support network.

Within each house there are two House captains, one senior captain in Upper Sixth and another in Year 9. In additions, there are four vice-captains in each house, two from the Upper Sixth and two more from Year 9. Their role is to act as representatives for the house as role models, to assist with the organisation of house activities and events, and to feedback useful suggestions and improvements to their head of house.

Competitions range from sporting ones e.g. rugby, swimming, cross country, tug-o-war, netball, chess, music, art, photography and Rubik’s cube. Each house success gains points for the house which feeds into the annual inter house competition.

Each house supports an individual charity and throughout the year fundraising events are run to raise funds. At the end of the year, the House Charity Cup is awarded to the house which has raised the greatest amount of money for their chosen charity.

Pupils can gain colours throughout their career based upon their commitment and involvement in house life and activities; pupils value these as an expression of their commitment and effort to their house.

Until September 2022, the houses were split into junior and senior sections with pupils changing to a senior house in Year 10. The following links existed between pairs of houses, and this relationship remain today: Clyde to Howe, Drake to Nelson, Lyons to Marlborough and Wellington to Rodney.

The school houses have been in existence since the pupil population was boys only (girls were reintroduced to the school in 1994; now, the balance of boys and girls is approximately 50/50).

The house names come from the old dormitories when the main building, designed by Henry Saxon Snell, was an orphanage in the Victorian era; the boarders lived in eight dormitories with the names of British naval and military heroes painted above the doors. These names reflected the service tradition of the patriotic school. Currently, a review of the house names is be undertaken to ensure that the pupils feel that the current names are fit-for-purpose.

• Clyde (named after Field Marshall Sir Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde 1792-1863)
• Howe (named after Admiral Earl Richard Howe 1726-1799)
• Drake (named after explorer/navigator Sir Francis Drake 1541-1596)
• Nelson (named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, Lord Viscount 1758-1805)
• Lyons (named after Admiral Baron Edmund Lyons 1790-1858)
• Marlborough (named after General John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough 1650-1722)
• Wellington (General and Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington 1769-1852)
• Rodney (Admiral Lord George Brydges Rodney 1719-1792)

Life Education (PSHE) forms an important part of the curriculum at Emanuel. Overseen by the deputy head: pupils and deputy heads of section, the programme provides a valuable opportunity for pupils to broaden their understanding of issues that impact not only themselves but the wider community, while preparing for their own future as global citizens. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is taught as part of the Life Education programme. 

Pupils in the Lower and Middle Schools (Years 9 and 11) have one period of Life Education each week, while pupils in Year 10 take part in six workshop days, led by their form tutor, head of year, deputy head of section or external speakers. They will learn about a range of relevant social, political and health issues through discussion-based activities. Pupils are educated on how to lead fulfilling, safe and healthy lives, covering topics such as mental health and physical health, digital awareness and safety, the environment, careers and finance, risky behaviours and statutory relationships and sex education. The spiral structure of our programme ensures that key statutory topics are revisited as a pupil progresses through the school in an age-appropriate ways. Students in the sixth form have two periods of Life Education to allow for a deeper and more extensive discussions of topics, extended talks from external speakers, alongside the completion of the university and higher education process. The sixth form programme is specifically created to ensure it prepares Emanuel students for life beyond school, whether that be in managing their finances, applying for jobs or internships, maintaining health and wellbeing, fostering positive relationships or an awareness of wider social and political issues.  

We approach mental health proactively, with pupils taught specific skills and techniques from the start of their time with us so they can be drawn upon as required. We want Emanuel pupil to have the confidence to face up to adversity and challenge in a healthy, measured and constructive way.  

In the lower school, this includes stem4’s MindYour5, focussing on daily strategies for positive mental health, while in the middle school pupils have the opportunity to take part in a 10-week ‘.b’ mindfulness course delivered by our trained mindfulness teachers, while in the sixth form all students undertake the Mental Health Warrior Awareness Training run by Mind your Health to understand how best to support themselves and their peers.

One of the unique features of our pastoral care is the importance we place on the relationship between the pupil, the school and parents. We see parents as partners in providing support and guidance to a child through their time at the school. 

Every year, in association with the Emanuel Parents’ Association, the school runs a series of pastoral seminars for parents led by distinguished experts from the field of child and adolescent behaviour. These seminars focus on specific pastoral areas of interest such as mental health, sex and relationships and digital technology and parenting. They are designed to be educational for our parents and provide tips and insight on how best to support their children. 

All Emanuel parents also receive access to the Teen Tips Wellbeing Hub, providing exclusive access to a wealth parenting resources from experts in the field to help guide your child through adolescence. 

This year, Emanuel is delighted to be welcoming Mandy Saligari, author of Proactive Parenting, Alicia Drummond, the founder of the Teen Tips Wellbeing Hub, and It Happens, Relationship and Sex Education experts, amongst others.

We are delighted to work with a number of expert practitioners and agencies, covering a wide range of topics.