At Ashford School we aim to create a supportive environment where the wellbeing of the child is paramount.
We believe that happiness breeds success, and therefore we are dedicated to ensuring that all pupils feel safe, cared for and happy. We listen, we notice and we communicate.
We have a robust pastoral structure to ensure that every child feels fully supported and knows where to turn.
Each child belongs to a form, which is looked after by a form tutor and is made up of students within their year. Form Tutors have a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining the ethos, style and high expectations of the School and in communicating these to the students in their care. They are key members of the staff team within the Year group structure and, as the person with the most regular contact with their tutor group (twice daily), tutors use their tutee contact time to develop full knowledge of each of their tutees.
The form tutor is the main point of contact for parents, guardians and pupils, and all contact details are provided to parents at the beginning of each academic year.
As from September 2022, the pastoral structure of the School changed. We moved away from the traditional House system and have adopted the Year group system instead. We have our pupils’ best interests at heart when making this decision and the rationale for this new approach is as follows:
The current Heads of Year are:
The Assistant Heads oversee issues relating to whole year groups, such as academic tracking, GCSE and A-Level options and cross-Year pastoral matters. They are also members of the Safeguarding Team.
The current Assistant Heads are:
The Senior Deputy Head is responsible for the overall wellbeing and safeguarding of the whole school.
A former pupil, Nicky Timms returned to Ashford School in 2007 to teach Maths. Since then, she has progressed through the School, reaching Deputy Head Pastoral in September 2016, and Senior Deputy Head in 2021. Along the way, she has experienced various roles within leadership including Director of Co-Curricular Activities, Director of Years 9-11 and Assistant House Parent, thoroughly enjoying the challenges posed by each new role.
Being Senior Deputy Head has further strengthened Nicky’s belief in, and appreciation of, the huge team effort that goes into supporting every child at Ashford School.
Our Health and Wellbeing Centre offers a holistic approach to the physical, psychological and spiritual health and wellbeing of every child at Ashford School. It is based at the top of the School campus and is open to pupils every day between 08:00 and 17:00, plus a nurse is on-call overnight.
The School is fortunate enough to have access to the expertise of four nurses, a School Doctor and our Wellbeing Team. There are two rooms within the Health and Wellbeing Centre available for students who are too unwell to attend lessons, as well as 2 treatment rooms. There is also the Rainbow Room which is used for time out, support work, meetings and drop in sessions; the Wellbeing studio which is used for yoga and mindfulness sessions; and 2 counselling rooms. Within the centre there is also the Reflection room where the School Chaplain can be found.
The Wellbeing Team is based in the Health and Wellbeing Centre. The Wellbeing space offers 2 counselling rooms and a large mindfulness studio, as well as having access to the Rainbow Room.
Ashford School Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy forms an integral part of the commitment of Ashford School to the wellbeing of everyone, regardless of any or no affiliation to a faith tradition and is always committed to a welcoming and non-judgmental approach.
The chaplain is available to listen in confidence* to anyone in the school community. Having time to explain what we think and how we feel forms part of our basic human dignity. All of us will experience times or seasons in our lives when we wrestle with questions about faith as we develop and as our circumstances change. The chaplain is available to offer support and pastoral care to any member of the school community, not only to those who identify with faith traditions.
Ashford Senior School continues a very long and enriching association with St Mary’s Church in Ashford town centre, and with St Mary’s Great Chart for the Prep School. As a learning community, commencement, and end of term services, as well as other times and seasons throughout the year, provide a helpful framework of gathering to express gratitude and to seek help. Moments of quiet reflection are integral to our services and valued by students and staff alike.
*Safeguarding concerns will be passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
The Quiet Room
Next to the Chaplain’s office, the Quiet Room in the Wellbeing Centre, is a special place free from distraction, where anyone can simply relax and enjoy a quiet space. Excellent resources are available to help explore faith through a range of traditions in a comfortable and calm setting. The chaplain is always happy to discuss questions about faith, spirituality, or religious practice. From 1pm to 1:15pm the Quiet Room is used by students wishing to pray or meditate as part of their devotional life.
The School Chaplain
The Chaplain is normally at the Prep School on Monday mornings and the Senior School on Wednesdays & Fridays, but can also be available on other days. Knowing that someone is praying for us is very positive and reassuring. Speak to the Chaplain if you would value prayer.
Reverend Richard Bellamy, Dip (HE), BA (Hons) Theology (Canterbury)
Ashford School’s student body is formed of students younger and older who support each other and provide care when needed. Students can support other students in the following roles:
Students also have access to an extensive network of adults at the School, who are always on hand to help. Adults in the following roles support our students, but pupils are welcome to talk to any adult in the School they feel comfortable with:
