Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
PUPIL WELLBEING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Pastoral Care
Our aim is simple: that every child leaves Thomas’s Kensington with a strong sense of self, the ability to manage their wellbeing, and the confidence and character to flourish in the next stage of their lives.
Wellbeing at Thomas’s Kensington
Wellbeing is central to life at Thomas’s Kensington. We believe that children flourish when they feel safe, valued and happy, and this underpins everything we do.
Ours is a school where every child is known and understood. Strong relationships sit at the heart of our approach, and our pastoral care is both deeply personal and highly structured. Form teachers, pastoral leaders and specialist staff work closely together, alongside families and external professionals where appropriate, to ensure that every pupil is supported to thrive.
A Culture of Belonging
We place a strong emphasis on creating a culture of kindness, trust and high expectations. Through our shared commitment to being Ready, Respectful and Safe, pupils understand how to contribute positively to the community and take responsibility for their actions. We listen carefully to pupil voice and maintain a proactive approach, ensuring that children feel heard, supported and secure.
We are committed to being an inclusive and outward-looking school, where diversity is recognised, respected and celebrated. Pupils are encouraged to understand and value different perspectives, developing empathy, cultural awareness and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Pastoral care has been excellent and we have thoroughly appreciated how all the teachers have been responsive and communicative.
—Thomas’s Kensington Parent
Wellbeing Through the Curriculum
Wellbeing is embedded throughout our curriculum. Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) programme, alongside dedicated wellbeing lessons, equips pupils with the knowledge, language and strategies to understand and manage their emotions.
Central to this is our use of the RULER approach, developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Pupils learn to recognise, understand, label, express and regulate emotions, developing both self-awareness and strong interpersonal skills.
Further programmes such as Philosophy for Children and mindfulness further support pupils in developing resilience, reflection and thoughtful communication. Alongside this, we explicitly teach practical strategies for wellbeing, helping pupils to navigate challenges with confidence and perspective.
Specialist Support and Partnership with Families
Our pastoral provision is supported by a wide range of expertise, including trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants and a dedicated school counsellor, who works with pupils and families in a variety of ways.
We believe that supporting wellbeing is a partnership between school and home. Through regular communication, workshops and our parent lecture programme, families are equipped with the understanding and tools to support their children effectively.
Our approach is proactive rather than reactive. Through careful monitoring, observation and assessment, we build a detailed understanding of each child’s development, enabling us to respond early and responsibly to any emerging needs.
Wellbeing Beyond the Classroom
Outdoor education plays a significant role in supporting wellbeing. From early experiences in woodland learning to more advanced challenges and residential opportunities, including time at Thomas’s Daheim, our outdoor ski centre in Austria, pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence.
These shared experiences often become some of the most memorable aspects of school life, strengthening relationships and fostering a deep sense of achievement and belonging.
An Inclusive Community
We are committed to an inclusive approach where every child is supported and challenged to succeed. Through high-quality teaching, early identification and targeted support, we ensure that all pupils, including those with additional needs and those with particular strengths, are able to flourish and thrive.
Our Learning Enrichment department works closely with teachers, families and external specialists to provide a responsive and individualised approach, ensuring that each child is able to access the curriculum fully and make strong progress.
