At Hockerill College we believe in delivering high quality pastoral care to ensure that students are happy and feel safe in College; we know that this is fundamental to students being able to develop as knowledgeable, enquiring and caring global citizens through excellence in education.   

All staff at Hockerill College have a duty of care towards students.  The safeguarding of our students and promotion of their welfare are of paramount importance. Each student is a member of a Tutor or Form Group.  Within each Tutor Group there are an equal number of members of each of the four Equipe (House) groups.   

Each Tutor Group is headed by dedicated educational professionals who are responsible for the day-to-day pastoral care of their tutees.  This includes monitoring punctuality and attendance, uniform and general organisation for the day.  Form Tutors take a keen interest in the achievements of their tutees, both academic and extra-curricular.  Students are encouraged to engage with their Form Tutor, informing them of any notable successes or achievements outside of College and of any change in personal circumstances.  Through their daily contact with their tutees, Form Tutors develop a familiarity which enables them to identify any emerging cause for concern, early. Form Tutors are also responsible for developing the identity of the Tutor Group and encouraging a culture of mutual respect and participation.  Form Tutors encourage their tutees to apply for positions of responsibility within the College community and support students through the application process. 

Additionally, the Form Tutor’s role is to communicate key information to their tutees, ensuring that they have full access to all the opportunities which are presented by and exist within the College, (eg extra-curricular activities) as well as ensuring that tutees have an understanding of College policies and procedures.  Students may need different levels of pastoral care in their time at Hockerill. For some this may be on an ongoing basis whereas others may need more support during periods of particular stress, anxiety or worry. Many students need little additional support but nonetheless benefit from the nurturing environment of their Form Group and the College’s wider pastoral structures.  

The College’s culture of pastoral care means that in addition to staff, students are also encouraged to look after and support each other, both in our community and in wider society. All of our College charity and fundraising work is facilitated by Form Tutors and this helps to cultivate in students an awareness and understanding of local, national and global issues. Opportunities are given to students to take on roles of responsibility, lead on fundraising and offer care to others less fortunate than themselves.  

In addition to Form Tutors, all students within our Boarding Community have a named House Tutor who sees them regularly to discuss their academic progress and any boarding issues. The Director of Boarding, along with the Heads of House are available to discuss pastoral care with parents and further information can be found in the Boarding Guide for Students and Parents, found within the Boarding section of the College website. 

Each year group has a Head of Year who develops and maintains an awareness of every student within their year group.  The Head of Year will monitor changing personal, social and academic circumstances and disseminate any information to colleagues as appropriate, whilst providing any additional support needed by the student, including coordinating any necessary supportive intervention.  The Head of Year has an overview of the entire year group and is therefore well-placed to manage any issues which cross the boundaries between the different Tutor Groups.  The Head of Year is also responsible for the coordination of information and reports from subject teachers and where necessary, will meet with parents to promote academic progress, inclusion and the removal of barriers to learning.  

The Head of Year will regularly inform parents of students’ progress and will facilitate timely intervention strategies where appropriate.  The Head of Year works closely with parents to ensure the most efficient and effective solutions to any issues using a range of both internal and external resources and agencies as appropriate. 

Parents can best support their child and the College by keeping lines of communication open. Informing the College of any worries or concerns that they feel may impede their child’s learning is vital in enabling the College to provide the most appropriate pastoral care.  Parents may wish to contact their child’s Form Tutor, a specific subject teacher, a Head of Department or Faculty or Head of Year and this should be done by contacting the College Office in the first instance via the student year email address e.g. year7@hockerill.com

This is a CONFIDENTIAL way to help stop YOU, a FRIEND or SOMEONE ELSE, FROM SUFFERING. 

You will be given the option to either include your name and details or to send your report anonymously.  However, it is easier for us to follow up your concerns if you give us your name so that we can ensure that you get the right help. Please be assured that we will deal with your concern in a way which will protect your identity if this is necessary to keep you safe. 

What happens when you make a report using the Report button? 

A notification will be sent to the College’s Safeguarding Leads and the most relevant member of staff will be asked to you to offer support. Dependent on the nature of the report, it may be either a Form Tutor, Head of Year/House or one of the Safeguarding Leads. We may also consider asking external professionals to help support you. 

How quickly will someone contact you? 

Your report will be sent to the Safeguarding inbox which is checked daily.

THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE. If your concern is urgent you must speak to an adult immediately as reports are read once a day.

If you have an urgent child protection concern about a student at Hockerill (including yourself), you must contact one of the agencies below.

Hertfordshire Children's Service - 0300 123 4043 

Police - 999 (when a child is in immediate risk of harm) or 101 (non-emergency) 

NSPCC - 0808 800 5000 

If you are a parent and you would like to report a safeguarding concern, please email the email address below: 

safeguarding@hockerill.com

Third Party Disclosures It's everyone’s responsibility to report concerns related to children and make referrals to Children Services and the Police if suspected that a child has been abused or is at risk of abuse. Therefore, when safeguarding concerns are shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead in a school by a parent or member of the public, it is important to note that there is equal responsibility by the complainant to report the matter also directly rather than assume the responsibility is that of the school. If unsure of how to do this speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead / Principal and they will advise accordingly.