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Senior School life

At Bablake, we understand the importance of the wellbeing and personal development of each pupil, recognising it as a crucial element of their overall success.

DEDICATED TUTORS

The heart of pastoral care

At the core of our pastoral system are our dedicated tutors. Our tutors play a crucial role in the holistic development of our pupils. They serve as mentors, advocates and guides throughout the students’ time at Bablake.

Recognising that each pupil is unique, our tutors provide individualised support to address specific needs and challenges. They monitor academic progress, offer guidance on goal setting and provide a safe space for pupils to discuss any concerns they may have.

THE PASTORAL HUB

A caring and securing environment

We have a dedicated space for our pupils called the Pastoral Hub which serves as a safe, discrete space for pupils to retreat to. The Hub is available for all pupils as a tranquil and welcoming environment, where they can speak to our wonderful Pastoral Administrator or just spend some time if they need to.

SEND

Special educational needs and disabilities

Our focus is on treating every pupil as an individual and we do all we can to encourage those with special educational needs to grasp the opportunity to flourish at school. We have a strong SEND provision offering individually tailored structure and support for those who need it.

Our SEND team consists of five staff on hand to offer help inside and outside the classroom. Support is provided individually or in small groups, usually outside the class, between one and four times a week. We also have an autism support group that meets weekly.

LIFE CHOICES

Equipping pupils with skills for success

Life choices is a diverse subject which deals with a wide range of topics including personal relationships, citizenship, healthy living, personal safety, bullying, finance and mental health issues. Careers education and preparation for study are also a vital part of the Life Choices curriculum.

All pupils have Life Choices lessons during the academic year and these are usually delivered by the Form Tutors. Some lessons are also supplemented by speakers who either address whole year groups or smaller seminar groups.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

School reports and parents’ evenings

We consistently provide detailed written reports on the progress of our pupils, tailoring our tracking system to align with each individual’s potential. To enhance communication, there are a minimum of two parents’ evenings each year.

We actively encourage parents to reach out to the Form Tutor at any point, recognising that effective collaboration between parents and staff is essential for providing our pupils with optimal support and guidance.

PEER SUPPORT

Lending a helping hand

Life can be challenging for young individuals, and during those tough times, our Peer Supporters are here to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s issues at home or school-related struggles, our Peer Supporters assist pupils, by simply listening and respecting their perspectives and encouraging them to consider alternative approaches to their challenges.

Peer Supporters are available every day before school and during lunchtime. While their support is not limited to these hours, it ensures that a friendly face is guaranteed to be there when pupils need assistance.

SCHOOL TRIPS

Enhancing the educational experience

We enhance the learning experience of our pupils through a number of school trips throughout the year.

We offer a range of curriculum-based trips as well as field trips, cultural visits to museums, theatres and art galleries, visits to universities, and overseas cultural trips and sports tours. A real highlight for our Shells (Year 7) is their PGL trip during October half term.

Pupils are respectful of each other and understand the value of diversity in the community.

Independent Schools Inspectorate, May 2023

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

Fun and friendly competition

Pupils are assigned to one of the four Houses when they join Bablake, a membership they maintain throughout their entire Bablake journey.

These Houses serve as focal points for identity, cooperation, healthy competition and provide opportunities for a huge variety of activities. This includes activities such as Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Tennis, Rounders, Badminton, Swimming, Football, Athletics, Chess, Squash, Reading, Public Speaking, Cookery, Art, Music, Drama and much more.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE