Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

“The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding”

Ofsted, March 2018

Pupil wellbeing is of prime importance and is the most important consideration in any activity or plan. The pastoral care structure aims to provide a system of support and discipline for each student, enabling them to achieve their full potential as well as making them feel valued. All members of staff have a pastoral responsibility and Al-Burhan has a formal structured pastoral system in place. 

1. Pupil welfare

Each class has a form tutor who, in most instances, moves up with the class as they progress through the school. This enables a long-lasting relationship to form between the Form tutor and the students. This means that the Form tutor has a good idea of the student’s development and also that students feel comfortable to approach their Form tutor with any issues.

In the first instance the Form Tutor deals with welfare or behavioural problems. Depending on the nature of the problem the Form Tutor may wish to discuss it with the senior teacher (pastoral care) or behaviour co-ordinator; she in turn may refer it to the Headteacher who will then deal with it accordingly.

2. House system

The School has a house system (Makkah, Medina, Damascus & Jerusalem) in place. All girls are assigned to a House upon their arrival in school. The House system forms a cross-year support network within the School which results in older students helping younger students through the many changes which occur during Secondary school life.

The House system allows girls to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities, including educational competitions and fundraising activities. House points form part of our reward system for individual students, and recognition is given when students earn a certain number of housepoints.

3. School council

The School Council is a way in which students can take part in the development of the School. There are two School Council cycles every academic year which consist of a Form council (led by each class’ elected School council representatives) and a School Council meeting consisting of senior members of staff, the School Council leader and the School Council representatives.