Personal Tutor
For Lower Senior pupils, a Form Tutor maintains the academic and pastoral overview for each pupil in their care, acting as the first point of call for that pupil and their parents. For Upper Senior pupils, they are each carefully assigned a Personal Tutor. For existing pupils there is an element of choice and for those joining at the 13+ entry point, the decision will be based on what is learned about the pupils during the admissions process about their individual interests and character. The Personal Tutor takes care of the pupil's academic, pastoral and extra-curricular growth throughout their time at Westbrook Hay.
The Personal Tutor and tutee meet at least once a week, with an emphasis placed on individualised care and support. This ensures that every pupil, regardless of their ability, is able to discuss their studies, their co-curricular commitments, their achievements and aspirations, as well as their challenges and concerns, throughout their years in the most senior part of the school.
Pastoral House System
All Upper Senior pupils belong to one of two Houses, Rye and Hinwick, the first and second historic locations of the school, which are run by a Housemaster or Housemistress. The House is pivotal in the life of Westbrook Hay, providing an important sense of belonging and togetherness for each pupil. There is a designated area for the pupils in each House to socialise, which also acts as a base for personal belongings and where registrations take place.
Social and team building activities are organised through the House and Inter-House Competitions are always a highlight of the school year. The pupils have every opportunity to mix with those from the other house throughout the day, during lessons and breaks.
Co-education
We believe that co-education is pivotal for holistic development, social progress and academic excellence. By embracing co-education, we aim to equip pupils with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing society, making it a cornerstone of our educational ethos.
Whatever the balance of boys and girls in the class, through the teacher’s skillful use of questioning, boys and girls are given equal opportunity to engage in the learning. Our Lower and Upper Senior pupils act as role models to our younger pupils and we are proud when they break stereotypes that may exist in society.
Through interactions with peers of the opposite gender, pupils learn to navigate complex social dynamics, develop emotional intelligence and cultivate empathy. These skills are invaluable for success in all facets of life, from personal relationships to professional endeavours. Our co-educational nature prepares pupils to become active and engaged citizens, capable of navigating the complexities of what is a diverse society.
By learning alongside peers of both genders, pupils develop the skills necessary for effective communication, collaboration, and importantly, leadership. Girls learn how to lead boys and vice-versa. These leadership opportunities develop attributes that are essential for the growth of self-confidence that will be essential when our young people move on to sixth forms, universities and the workplace.
Leadership Opportunities
We are conscious of our duty to equip young people to exercise leadership not as an expression of personal ambition but as a form of service to others. The school has a strong commitment to ‘pupil voice’, Lower Senior pupils lead a number of committees that focus on charitable endeavour, environmental protection and school improvement.
All Upper Senior pupils are provided with opportunities to act as ‘Senior Mentors’ to areas of life further down the school where they have an expertise or interest, whether they are academics, actors, artists or athletes. In Year 11 there are positions of responsibility to apply for, such as Head Pupil or a Head of House, and to contribute to the running of the school as a Senior Prefect.
We also expect our pupils to look beyond Westbrook Hay and to understand their responsibilities to broader communities and a wider society. They develop this perspective through charity work, community service and partnerships with other schools. Opportunities for pupil-led initiatives are encouraged and all year groups are invited to air their views and make things happen.
Developing independence
Our pastoral care is designed to instil independence, while providing a safety net for pupils, as they navigate the complexities of adolescence. We believe that empowering pupils to take ownership of their learning journey cultivates resilience, self-reliance and critical thinking skills essential for their future success. Whether through participation in academic lessons, sports teams, the arts or enrichment programme, pupils are encouraged to pursue their passions and develop leadership skills in a supportive environment.
By taking on responsibilities such as organising events, managing team dynamics, initiating projects or even using public transport to travel to school, pupils learn to navigate challenges, make decisions and collaborate effectively. These are crucial skills that extend beyond the classroom and into adulthood. Upper Senior pupils have the opportunity to put this into practice through participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which provides an excellent qualification for further education, but also the chance to build on their self-confidence and teamwork. Pupils commit to a hobby, sport and volunteering, which many of them are already doing through various programmes at the school, and an out of school expedition.
Trips also form a crucial part of the independence journey, a chance to step outside into the wider world and develop an appreciation for different cultures. Lower Senior pupils attend a residential History trip to Canterbury Cathedral and Hastings Battlefield in their first term, every other year there is a trip abroad in the Spring Term, recent destinations have included Iceland and Rome. Through the GCSE curriculum trips, Upper Senior pupils have opportunities to visit exciting European locations such as: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Florence, Paris, Sevilla, Sicily and the Azores. As pupils move through their final years at Westbrook Hay the onus will be on them to be self-sufficient learners, ready and prepared for the next stage of their learning journey.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
In addition to the Personal Tutor and Housemaster or Housemistress, the Head of Senior holds pastoral oversight of all Senior pupils. They are an important voice in the Pastoral Leadership Team meetings and ensure that all pupils in their section receive the care that they need. There is a designated ‘wellbeing hub’ for senior pupils to visit, access to secondary-trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants and the school works with an external School Counsellor who offers a number of our pupils an additional level of support.
All pupils have a weekly PSHE lesson. These are held, wherever possible, in a more relaxed and informal setting such as House rooms, where pupils are more likely to contribute in an active manner to discussions. The content of the lessons delivered to Senior pupils becomes much more focused on real life situations that teenagers may face. The subject’s aim is to reflect the needs of the pupils and their circumstances, and it encourages them to make mature and considered decisions when dealing with personal, social and health situations both now and in later life. Topics include hygiene, healthy lifestyles, sex and relationships, drug awareness, alcohol abuse, smoking, vaping, eating disorders, self-esteem, bereavement, e-safety and bullying.
