More Than Marks - Why Pastoral Care Matters Most
As a Headteacher, I often speak to parents who are considering private education for their child. Naturally, they ask about academic results, teaching standards, facilities, and extracurricular opportunities - and rightly so. But there’s one question I always encourage parents to ask as well:
“How well does this school care for my child as a person?”
In other words - what is the quality of its pastoral care?
The concept of pastoral care has its roots in Christian communities, originally aimed at the ‘care of souls’, but has evolved to encompass broader welfare concerns. Modern pastoral care addresses physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual needs and involves all staff at school, not just teachers, ensuring a more holistic approach.
At Lichfield Cathedral School, we believe that academic success should never come at the expense of a child’s wellbeing. In fact, the two are inseparable. Children flourish academically when they feel safe, supported, and understood. That’s why outstanding pastoral care is not just part of what we do, it is at the heart of everything we do.
Pastoral Care: The Foundation of Growth
Excellent pastoral care means every pupil is known and valued as an individual. It creates a school culture where children feel confident to express themselves, where they have trusted adults to turn to, and where wellbeing is seen as essential - not optional.
Here’s why it matters so deeply:
- Emotional safety helps children focus, participate, and take pride in their learning. It allows them to feel secure, accepted, and capable of expressing their emotions without fear of judgment or punishment.
- Supportive relationships with staff and peers build resilience and self-belief. Showing empathy for how a child feels without minimising their emotions teaches them that their feelings are valid and that they are loved and understood.
- Proactive guidance ensures issues like anxiety or bullying are addressed early and sensitively.
We want every pupil to feel that school is a place where they belong - not just somewhere they attend.
What Happens When Pastoral Care Is Lacking?
It’s not always easy to spot, but poor pastoral care can have a lasting impact. In schools where wellbeing is not prioritised:
- Pupils may feel invisible, unsupported, or misunderstood.
- Mental health issues can go unnoticed and unaddressed.
- A culture of pressure, rather than care, can lead to stress, low confidence, and burnout.
No matter how good the facilities or academic results may appear, if children do not feel safe and supported, their full potential - and their happiness - may be compromised.
What We Do Differently
At Lichfield Cathedral School, pastoral care is not a department, it is a shared commitment across our entire community. Every teacher, tutor, and staff member plays a role in ensuring pupils feel seen and supported.
We have:
- A clear and structured pastoral system with dedicated staff who meet weekly to discuss concerns and strategies for pupil support.
- Regular wellbeing check-ins and form time discussions.
- Specific teaching and training by experts delivered through PSHE (personal, social and health education) lessons to improve self-knowledge and to encourage empathy for others. This might include conflict resolution, dealing with anxiety or stress, and staying safe online.
- Open-door policies so pupils know where to turn and who to speak to, plus an online reporting/advice system for those that prefer.
- A ‘teach them how to fail’ approach. Teaching children that mistakes are an opportunity to learn and grow helps them to develop resilience and protects their self-esteem in challenging times.
- A reward system that praises effort and character. By praising effort and positive characteristics, not just accomplishments, children learn that who they are as people is valued and special and that their efforts are held in high regard.
- Strong relationships between home and school, so no child is ever left to struggle alone. Regular communication via email and online or in-person meetings
- Bespoke support for pupils in times of trauma or change in their lives.
- A School Council and Pupil Voice programme where pupils are regularly consulted on their opinions, experiences and preferences. Listening to pupils’ voices and involving them in decision-making fosters a sense of belonging.
- A mentorship programme where older students are trained to provide guidance to younger pupils, promoting peer support and helping young pupils to navigate the bustle of school life.
- Offer clubs and activities that provide outlets for pupils to express themselves and build a sense of community.
- Mental health and safeguarding training and a rolling programme of counselling training for all staff.
This approach doesn’t just make children happier - it makes them more motivated, more engaged, and more successful, both academically and personally.
In Closing: The School That Cares
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a parent will make. As you compare options, I urge you to look beyond the grades and buildings. Ask yourself:
“Will my child be cared for here?”
“Will they be known - not just by name, but as a whole person?”
At Lichfield Cathedral School, the answer is always yes.
Because before we build futures, we nurture hearts and minds and we champion every student as a glorious, unique individual.
Warm regards,
Sue Hannam
Headteacher