| Taunton School | Taunton Prep School | Pre- Prep | First Steps |
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 Each pupil, day or boarding, is attached to a House, which is not only a centre for administration and recreation, but is also, and most importantly, a pastoral base. The Housemaster or Housemistress is primarily responsible for each pupil’s daily well-being and progress, and is the first point of contact for parents – at any time. The House Staff are supported by a House Assistant, and a team of House Tutors. (All members of staff are attached to a House in a pastoral support role.) House Tutors meet their tutorial groups weekly, and these sessions are supplemented by one-to-one meetings and informal contact as required. The purpose is to offer guidance and advice, and monitor each individual’s academic and pastoral development. When references are written for pupils, for example for University applications, there is an input from the House Staff, the House Tutor and the pupil’s teachers. School Prefects, other senior pupils, and indeed all members of the School are actively invited to give priority to caring for other pupils. School Chapel services and the School Chaplain personally aim to promote, on a daily basis, a sensitivity to the needs of others. The Chaplain is pastor and friend to all members of the School community. He teaches a reduced timetable to provide space for his wider pastoral role. While the Christian ethos of the School is one of the essential components of our community life, the Chaplain will also honour the spiritual needs of those belonging to other faiths. His priority is to offer a sensitive response to the deeper feelings and questions of all young people. The School Medical Centre is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm during term-time and there is always a doctor and nurse on call for night-time emergencies. The qualified medical staff, in addition to dealing with routine health matters, also fulfil an important counselling role. They are there to offer confidential support and advice to all pupils. An Independent Listener, who will listen to pupils’ problems and offer advice in confidence, is contactable by phone. All members of staff as a matter of professional obligation would wish to make themselves available at all times to pupils and parents to discuss pastoral matters and to offer help. Special arrangements are made when pupils join the School to provide for the first few days either a Form Tutor or a pupil ‘companion’ or both, so that there is a friendly and reassuring point of reference on hand. The School operates an equal opportunities policy for boys and girls, and respects and welcomes a diversity of backgrounds and cultures, nationalities and religious beliefs. Each pupil is given a guide to how to handle worries, and how to obtain advice when needed. |
