Pastoral care
The single most important aspect of any school is its pastoral care provision. Whilst many schools will promote their academic excellence as front and centre, it's actually pastoral care – the wellbeing and happiness of pupils – which matters most.
For parents, it is hard to quantitatively assess pastoral care as you cannot see a set of results data, unlike exams, or scan through a list of recent sporting successes, when evaluating extracurricular provision. But what you can do is examine the school's commitment to pastoral care and evaluate how this is embedded – both in the school's ethos and its day-to-day activities.
When you visit a school, if you like the staff you meet, are impressed by the pupils and their attitude and character, and feel that it's a supportive and inclusive community, you are witnessing first-hand the results of its pastoral care provision. Pastoral care really consists of two aspects, which are intertwined and mutually...
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This is the book that parents have been waiting for and one they should most definitely read when choosing a school for their children... Matthew offers sage and measured advice about what you need to consider, things to avoid and who to listen to when making the most important choice you can make for your child.
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I've known Matthew for many years; he offers clear, sensible, and unbiased advice, drawn from his extensive knowledge of the sector, and I'm delighted to see his expertise translated into this thoughtful and practical guide for parents. This book is invaluable for those navigating the often overwhelming process of choosing an independent school, helping parents focus on what truly matters, rather than rankings, hype, or marketing spin. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
