EDUCATION
As mental health takes centre stage, we foreground the local educators enhancing student wellbeing through progressive pastoral care MIND OVER MATTER
WORDS BY PHOEBE HARPER
Y oung people today face a variety of anxiety-inducing of social media, the threat of climate change, the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on a family’s livelihood, plus ongoing global conflicts and the aftermath of the pandemic. These issues combine to create an emotional maelstrom that’s hard to navigate – particularly when combined with the normal challenges of school life like exam expectations and ‘fitting in’. “Children are living through such incredibly strange times, it’s no wonder so many of them are feeling highly anxious,” factors that threaten to disturb their wellbeing. The pressures says Hannah Settle, assistant principal (pastoral) at Sancton Wood. Public services like the NHS are experiencing
to be a listening ear, almost like a social worker,” continues Hannah. Although many schools have dedicated pastoral or support staff, for Charlie Fisher, deputy head at King’s Ely Senior and designated safeguarding lead, it’s an unnecessary distinction when it comes to shouldering the burden of care. “All staff should see themselves as fulfilling a pastoral role for the children they encounter, and be prepared to raise a flag if they see anything they are uncomfortable with.”
an unparalleled surge in mental health referrals for school-age children, yet they lack the sufficient resources needed to meet this demand. As Mike Critchley, director of pastoral care at St Faith’s School, highlights, recent statistics from Place2Be show that since the start of the school year, staff have witnessed rising anxiety levels among students, identifying increases of 86% in low self-esteem, 76% in depression and 68% in sustained feelings of anger. In this fraught context, the role of educators and their provision of pastoral care – defined largely as a concern with the personal needs and problems of pupils – is becoming more important than ever. “Nowadays, you’re expected to be far more than just a teacher – you also have
PASTORAL CARE AND PERFORMANCE
It is now widely understood by both schools and parents alike that pastoral care and academic performance are
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2024 55
Powered by FlippingBook