Wellbeing

The happiness and welfare of our pupils is at the heart of every decision that we make and everything that we do at RGS Prep.  Our family community of pupils, staff, parents and Governors work together to create an ethos of positivity where our school values of Inclusivity, Scholarship, Integrity, Respect, Courage and Collaboration promote higher levels of wellbeing which ensures our boys are performing academically at their best.

The school has effective and frequently reviewed systems and measures in place for promoting pupils’ well-being, including their mental health.

ISI Report 2022

Pastoral care and wellbeing is strong at RGS Prep, and layered throughout the school on many levels.

Muddy Stilettos 2024

Form Teachers

Our Form Teachers nurture the boys, listen to them and help them navigate the world around them.  We also proactively teach them positive mental health skills to enable them to leave us with a toolkit that will support them as they journey through their school years and beyond.

Safeguarding

Head of RGS Prep, Mr Freeman-Day is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL); he is supported by several Deputy DSLs, including the Deputy Head, Mr Moore, EYFS coordinator, Mrs Petersen and our Head of Wellbeing, Mrs Self.

Emotional Wellbeing

Here Mrs Self talks about the many aspects of our pastoral care at RGS Prep.

Form Time

Boys have a daily check-in with their Form Tutor and take part in wellbeing activities during form time. Activities include positive affirmations, crafts and celebrating one another’s achievements.

Wellbeing Events

We host a Wellbeing Week in support of Children’s Mental Health, featuring activities such as mindfulness crafts, silent discos, and joke-telling. Our annual Hygge Day, celebrating the Danish concept of creating a warm atmosphere, invites boys to wear cosy clothes and bring their soft toys.

PSHCE

Our PSHCE curriculum equips our boys with knowledge on staying safe and provides guidance on who to approach if they encounter any issues. The students have access to a bespoke wellbeing app where they can share their feelings directly to our Head of Wellbeing, Mrs Self. Mrs Self reviews all submissions and makes a plan on how best to support the pupil.

House System

We have a strong House system which provides additional pastoral support. Our oldest members of the school act as mentors for our youngest members and through our House system the boys learn about our wider community and how to support others.  We have regular charity events and work closely with our boys to develop an understanding of issues in the real world and the skill of empathising with others and being kind.

Assemblies

We welcome both external speakers and our own pupils to host assemblies on topics that are important to them. We have regular cultural assemblies to give our boys the opportunity to share their experiences and traditions with their peers.

Workshops

We welcome external companies and representatives from the emergency services to run workshops with our pupils. Some of the many topics we cover include anti-bullying, internet safety and fire safety.

Additional Support

We recognise that some children may need additional support at different times during their life at RGS Prep.  We operate an open-door policy with access to our Head of Wellbeing where more structured programmes are available such as Lego Therapy, bespoke social skills programmes and mindfulness.