Tutor sets are our main focus for pastoral care. Because continuity of pastoral care is seen as very important, every boy joins a tutor set on entering the School, and a typical set is made up of about twenty-four boys of all ages. The tutor and assistant look after a boy's general welfare throughout his school career, supervise his work and progress, and both encourage and support his participation in sporting and other activities. Most importantly, the tutor acts as the primary link between home and school.
Tutor sets also belong to one of four Houses. These provide an important focus for competitions and charity events, and senior boys learn the skills of organising teams, fund-raising activities, and (perhaps uniquely at Nottingham High School) singing and verse-speaking choirs.
Forms are the main focus for registration and routine administration. Form staff also run the general education programme in a manner suited to the age and maturity of the boys in the form. Under the direction of a head of year, this programme provides carefully structured coverage of an extensive range of personal, social and health issues.
Assemblies are an important spiritual focus within the School. These are religious but non-denominational, and our hope is that all boys find the context comfortable. Assemblies also provide an opportunity for the whole school to celebrate corporate, team and individual successes. Individuals receive prizes or trophies from the Headmaster and when a team wins a trophy the captain presents it to the Headmaster, to demonstrate what the team has done for the School.
We expect all boys to behave with common sense and good manners, and to sustain the school's good reputation. The school rules and, if necessary, the disciplinary system support this aim.
Difficulties, worried, upset?
If you are in difficulties of any kind, or if you are worried about someone else, please talk to your tutor, form teacher, head of year, form prefect, or any other person you feel you can trust.
If you are worried or upset about anything, whether connected with school or not, and want to talk things over, you must never feel that nobody cares. In addition to your parents or guardian, there are always people on the school staff who are willing to listen to you. A good place to start might be your tutor or assistant tutor, the pastoral support worker, your form teacher, head of year, school nurse, form prefect, the child protection officer or any of the senior staff, all of whom will listen to you sympathetically and who will be able to suggest further courses of action to help you resolve your concerns.
Please be aware that at school we can only offer you limited confidentiality; some matters are so important that staff have to them share with other people. We can, however, suggest contacts if you feel you want total confidentiality. For example, in personal matters you might prefer to talk to someone in complete confidence who is neither a parent nor involved in the running of the school. Here are some useful contacts. Be sure to use them responsibly.
Base51 [51 Glasshouse Street, NottinghamNG1 3LP]. www.base51.org.uk 0115 953 5040,]
NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk/kidszone helpline 0808 800 5000
Children’s Legal Centre 0800 783 2187
Childline www.childline.org.uk tel 0800 1111
Kidscape www.kidscape.org.uk
Young Minds www.youngminds.org.uk
Childnet International www.childnet-int.org.uk
Another helpful web site is www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk
The Samaritans can be called at any time on 08457 909090
In a genuine emergency, call the Police on 999
Dr Paul Sibly [Deputy Headmaster] is the School’s Child Protection Officer.
Mr Martin Jones is the Pastoral Support Worker.
