Our approach to prioritising the wellbeing of our pupils at Pocklington School is a holistic one. Our dedicated house teams, health and wellbeing service and regular communication with families all work together to create a nurturing and supportive environment where every pupil can thrive.
An outstanding reputation for our friendly, family-feel and caring approach
Our house system fosters a sense of community and belonging, providing our pupils with opportunities to work together across year groups. Upon joining Pocklington School, pupils become members of one of our four day houses, which are further divided into three sections: Lower School, Middle School and Sixth Form. Each section is overseen by a housemaster or housemistress, student captains, and a prefect team, all of whom work closely to ensure the academic and pastoral progress of each individual member of their house.
As pupils progress through the School, they remain in the same house but are assigned a new housemaster or housemistress as they transition from Lower School, through Middle School and then onto Sixth Form. Regular house competitions in areas such as sport, music, drama and academics, along with one-to-one tutorials and weekly divisional and house assemblies, provide our pupils with opportunities to excel, whilst ensuring that they receive the support and guidance they need.
Our team of house tutors works closely with both the day and boarding housemasters or housemistresses, offering both pupils and parents access to support and advice when they need it.
We are committed to providing a holistic health and wellbeing service
In addition to tutors and pastoral house teams, teachers, and academic support staff, we have many other experienced and committed professionals available to help our pupils.
Our dedicated Health and Wellbeing Service is led by our head of student wellbeing and designated safeguarding lead. Our in-house team includes a professional medical team, trained counsellors, a chaplain and staff who are qualified in mental health first-aid. Together, they offer a personalised service to our pupils and their families, providing guidance and support through a triage system that connects them to the most appropriate resources.
We encourage our pupils to communicate openly with any member of staff, knowing that their concerns will be taken seriously. Pupils can self-refer, accessing help at a level they feel comfortable with, although referrals by teaching or house staff are also welcome.
We understand the importance of working closely with families
We maintain strong partnerships with families through open and regular communication. Our relationship with parents begins with home visits before their child’s first day at Pocklington School, enabling us to develop a more personal understanding of our pupils and their families.
We also encourage parents to get involved in their children’s school lives, by attending various events such as plays, concerts, and parents’ evenings. We organise events for parents to discuss topical issues such as alcohol use, relationships, and social media use, which are also covered in the pupil PSHE curriculum. In addition, we provide regular academic progress reports to ensure parents remain well-informed about their child’s development.
