Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

At Westminster Under School, pastoral care is shaped by a shared set of twenty core values that inform daily life in and beyond the classroom. From kindness and inclusivity to resilience, integrity, and ambition, these values are taught, modelled, and celebrated through a two‑year cycle, ensuring they are meaningfully embedded across the School.

Our values‑led approach reflects our belief that academic excellence and personal development go hand in hand, and that children flourish when they feel supported, guided, and secure within a clear and consistent moral framework.

A strong network of staff works closely together to provide both day‑to‑day care and longer‑term guidance, supporting pupils’ wellbeing, personal growth, and sense of belonging within the school community.

Every pupil is supported by a dedicated form teacher, who takes particular responsibility for their pastoral care and acts as the main point of contact for families throughout the year. Pupils begin each day in their form groups, where form teachers support organisation, share notices, and lead age‑appropriate discussions linked to whole‑school themes.

Heads of Year oversee the pastoral care and progress of pupils within each year group. Working closely with form teachers, they provide an additional layer of guidance and oversight, ensuring that pupils’ needs are identified early and supported effectively.

Each pupil belongs to one of the four School Houses: Lions, Tudors, Martlets, and Fleuries. The Houses meet regularly and play a central role in school life. The House system underpins many whole‑school events and competitions, encouraging teamwork, healthy competition, and a strong sense of identity.

Within each House, pupils are also part of smaller, vertically structured House Families, bringing together children from across the year groups and supported by two members of staff. These groups provide valuable opportunities for pupils to build relationships across the age range in the School, develop leadership and mentoring skills, and contribute to shared activities and reflection. Together, the House system and House Families strengthen community, connection, and mutual respect throughout the School.

Pupil leadership at Westminster Under School is inclusive, developmental, and rooted in service. From Reception to Year 8, pupils are encouraged to take responsibility, support others, and lead by example, with opportunities growing in terms of structure and independence as they progress through the School. Leadership is understood as service to the community rather than positions held by a few, helping pupils to develop confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility.

In addition to form‑based responsibilities, there are also opportunities for pupils to involve themselves in School Council, which meets regularly during the academic year to suggest, discuss, and help to action initiatives at whole‑school level.

Within the context of a busy and ambitious school, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring pupils feel supported and heard. We mark key national events such as Wellbeing Week, Anti‑Bullying Week, Neurodiversity Week, and Black History Month, using them as opportunities to promote understanding, empathy, and respect. Older pupils play an active role in leading assemblies and discussions, supported by visiting speakers who bring expertise and lived experience.

Our weekly church services form an important part of school life, offering pupils and staff the opportunity to gather together as a community. These services include short addresses focusing on school values and other important messages, and are often enriched by music from our wonderful choir. They provide a calm, reflective moment within the school week and a meaningful opportunity for the whole school to come together.

The School has a BACP‑accredited Child and Adolescent Counsellor, offering confidential counselling services to any pupils and parents who might value advice and support during a difficult time, or space to think together with a professional about emotional, behavioural, or academic difficulties. There is a drop‑in “Talking Space” which any pupil in the School can access on a daily basis.

Our Counsellor works with pupils from across all year groups, both in terms of one‑to‑one and small‑group‑based interventions. They are available for both informal one‑off sessions and longer‑term support, where appropriate.