Walking through the grounds of Bradfield, it’s easy to see why pupils feel a deep connection to the school with its historic architecture and supportive atmosphere filled with the vibrant hum of friendship. It is an environment where young people thrive thanks to an innovative approach to contemporary pastoral care aiming to better serve the diverse needs of every pupil. Richard Penny, Deputy Head Pastoral shares how…
‘SPEAK TO THINK’, ‘THINK TO SPEAK’ APPROACH
For many pupils, the rhythms of school life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Recognising this, Bradfield has made subtle but powerful changes to ensure these pupils don’t just cope but flourish. One of the first changes has been to refine the Year 6 Admissions process, broadening the pastoral interview to acknowledge a wider range of interests and strengths and fine-tuning scoring systems to allow scope for reflective and analytical answers to reduce confirmation bias towards the extrovert.
Beyond Admissions, Bradfield has been actively reshaping its physical and social spaces. A new quiet workroom in Palmer House, reconfigured dining hall seating for more intimate meals and dedicated ‘timeout’ rooms in the Medical Centre are all part of a larger effort to create reset space, areas where pupils can take a breather when the pace of school life feels too much.
If your day feels overwhelming, the timeout room is a place to chill, away from the pressure and busyness of school
Current Pupil
‘I sometimes find it hard to focus on my evening prep in my room, there are too many distractions… The quiet workroom allows me to separate where I work and where I relax and sleep.’
Current Pupil
Staff, too, are playing a vital role in this cultural shift. Teachers have received training designed to support quieter pupils, offering them the time and space to process ideas before sharing them. The approach recognises that while some pupils speak to think, others think to speak, a simple but transformative shift in perspective that ensures all voices are heard
REIMAGINING WELLBEING IN FAULKNER’S
In Faulkner’s, the Year 9 Boarding House, pupil wellbeing is being reshaped in simple yet profound ways. A recent shift in the mobile phone policy now encourages more face-to-face interactions by structuring phone use in a way that prioritises in-person socialising during downtime. The change is designed to foster stronger, more meaningful friendships and reduce reliance on screens for connection. This is supported by the provision of mindful activities including colouring, Lego, board games, baking and knitting. Hobby Horsing and karaoke are less quiet but great fun!
Equally transformative is the introduction of ‘readaxation’, a concept that encourages pupils to unwind with a book before bed. Restocked book nooks, supported by reviews and book bingo, aim to create better sleep hygiene. The initiative aims to replace the glow of screens with the comforting rhythm of a good story. It’s a small change, but one that’s already having a big impact on stress levels and sleep quality.
The phone change has been positive as I feel I can chill in my room and call my parents without feeling like I am missing out on free time and then I get more out of free time before sleeping better
Current Pupil
‘It allows for more socialising, relaxation and engaging amongst their peers later in the evening just before bed. A great move and we are fully supportive!’
Current Parent
The pupils appear calmer and are more settled when it it time to go to bed. There isn’t the mad rush at 9pm to get all tech away
House Staff
ONLINE INNOVATION
The Lower Sixth girls of Stanley House recently had an enjoyable evening getting to grips with the immersive experience provided by the VR headsets from Campus-XR. The pupils are trialing their use in the House environment, testing how they can apply this new ‘virtual world’, to their prep for consolidation of knowledge, research or revision use. The girls donned jet packs and visited New York’s Statue of Liberty, the trenches of the Somme and our very own Greek Theatre – where Cecily debated with Einstein, Emmi contested in German and the girls watched an imaginary Donald Trump argue the benefits of fake tan! If the girls didn’t know it already, anything is possible in this new curated world.
The girls have now been tasked with identifying topics from their own studies, and over the coming weeks and months they’ll be providing invaluable feedback on their immersive experiences and how they have benefitted their own personal learning.
THE FUTURE OF PASTORAL CARE
Bradfield’s evolving approach to pastoral care is not about grand gestures, it’s about the thoughtful, everyday choices that make pupils feel heard, valued and supported. From reset spaces and structured transitions to weekend connections and community engagement, the school is actively shaping an environment where every pupil can thrive. Pastoral care, at its best, is not just about offering support, it’s about fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
AS BRADFIELD CONTINUES TO EVOLVE, ONE THING IS CLEAR: HERE, EVERY PUPIL HAS THE SPACE TO GROW, THE FREEDOM TO BE THEMSELVES AND THE SUPPORT TO FLOURISH
