Colfe’s has announced the appointment of Ms Holly Beckwith to the position of Director of Pastoral Care, marking an opportunity to reflect on the pastoral care the school offers.
Pastoral care continues to be of the utmost importance to Colfe’s following Holly’s appointment. Joining Colfe’s from her role as pastoral lead and Head of Politics at Wimbledon High School, Holly follows in the footsteps of Jane German – recently retired after 20 years at Colfe’s – and brings with her a breadth of experience and commitment to the pastoral care and wellbeing of students in the school. She says, “it’s a privilege to work with young people and support them through challenges. I have been impressed by the strong sense of community and belonging among staff, students and families at Colfe’s.”
Colfe’s’ unique approach to pastoral care attracted Holly to the role, who particularly commends the Leatherseller Scholarship Programme and the “innovative quality of the pastoral programme with Eudaimonia at its heart. The Aristotelian concept of flourishing underpins pastoral care here, meaning it is grounded in the academic curriculum whilst also being down to earth and approachable.”
“My key priorities are to maintain the culture of safeguarding at the school and to empower students to develop self-efficacy, helping them to move from the nurturing environment of the school to the wider world. They should be equipped with the skills, ability and agency to look after themselves.”
Holly also praised the structure of pastoral support at the school, which is very much part of the fabric of the school community with staff at every level looking out for students. Form tutors are pupils’ first port of call, as well as the experienced Heads of Year 7 and Heads of Houses. Small forms within the 5 houses are formed of year 8-11s and allow for tailored support where every student is known and valued. The addition of the 5th Glyn House means that there are more and smaller forms from this year, enhancing the safeguarding culture, sense of belonging, and healthy competition within the houses.
Pastoral support is equally important in the Sixth Form, where each pupil has a form tutor and a personal tutor, as well as the Director of Sixth Form and Assistant Director of Sixth Form (Pastoral). Another layer of support is offered by the school counsellor, school nurse, and part-time doctor.
Holly highlights that “pastoral care is proactive and built into the curriculum, on an academic and co-curricular level, with regular PSHE sessions, the Tougher Minds programme and Eudaimonia. The Outdoor Pursuits programme is a vital component as well, which encourages growing independence and provides an environment where you can step out of your comfort zone.”
Holly’s own passion for outdoor sports and activities – she plays tag rugby, runs, skis, sails and enjoys hiking – has reinforced to her the benefits of outdoor pursuits to all-round mental and physical wellbeing.
The key themes for PSHEE this year are ‘Compassion and Courtesy’ and pastoral care is more of a priority than ever. Holly enjoys “the fun and unexpected nature of working in a school and I look forward to having an impact on wider scale.” In terms of impacting change, “I have a few ideas but they’re not for now”. Currently, Holly is focused on “enhancing the strong foundations that already exist here, as nurtured by the hugely dedicated, hugely experienced pastoral staff. As always, pastoral care will be adaptable and forward-thinking, considering the current challenges that young people face, making sure students grow up to become empowered adults.”
