Living
Pastoral care
Discover how Aysgarth School prioritises pupil wellbeing with innovative pastoral care, balanced learning, and mental health support to nurture thriving learners.
Supporting Our Children’s Wellbeing
Children today face immense pressures—from academic competition and social media to the complexities of teenage life. At Aysgarth, we prioritise creating an environment that equips our pupils with the skills, resilience, and balance to thrive both now and in the future.
A healthy work-life balance is at the heart of our approach. Pupils split their day evenly between academic and creative or physical activities, allowing them to explore their interests, build confidence, and foster friendships. By limiting screen time and promoting outdoor adventures, we encourage a positive relationship with technology while nurturing their mental health.
Our commitment to pastoral care goes beyond the classroom. Staff monitor pupil wellbeing daily, sharing observations and offering support for struggles or celebrations. Whether it’s a kind word during tough times or gentle reminders to be considerate of peers, we foster a culture of empathy and understanding.
The pastoral team provides dedicated mental health support to our pupils, working closely with wellbeing professionals. This includes weekly visits from Teenagers Translated, whose expertise helps guide and support both pupils and staff.
Proactively, we’ve embraced the innovative STEER toolkit, which helps us identify and address potential challenges before they surface. Through regular assessments, we track social and emotional health, allowing tailored interventions and ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and empowered.
Recent assessments revealed only 4.6% of our pupils required extra support, far below the national average of 13.4%. This reflects the effectiveness of our approach and the sense of safety our school environment provides. Pupils also scored highly in their openness to seek help and share ideas—evidence of a nurturing and inclusive community.
At Aysgarth, safeguarding and wellbeing aren’t just policies—they’re part of our daily fabric. From meaningful pastoral initiatives to creative team-building activities, we are dedicated to providing our pupils with the tools they need to flourish in school and beyond.