Preparatory School Pastoral Care

At St Columba's Prep School we pride ourselves in providing a very high standard of pastoral care for all pupils entrusted into our hands. In partnership with the parents we seek to provide a Christian education which not only values each pupil personally but also challenges them to reach the highest standards in spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development. It is in this pursuit that we endeavour to begin to nurture all the qualities of a true Columban ready to serve society as and when they leave the College.

The form teacher is the key element in supporting the welfare of the pupils. The form teacher monitors their academic and social progress, offering guidance and support where needed. The use of specialist teachers ensures depth of subject knowledge and prepares pupils for the senior school.

Every pupil who enters the school is assigned to one of four houses: ALBAN, BECKET, FISHER and MORE. The system helps the pupil to build strong links with other pupils across the school. The house system allows for cross year group competition in sports, music, art and public speaking. The house system also underpins the school's rewards system and pupils compete each week for the house trophy and for individual awards.

The Prep School operates a mentoring programme for new pupils.  Activities are organised to help build the bond between the Mentor and the Mentee.  The oldest pupils in the Prep School are appointed as prefects.  They are given specific responsibilities which build leadership qualities and self esteem.

In addition to the above, the school's PSHE (personal, social and health education) programme supports the pupils in developing self-awareness, positive self esteem and confidence, through a comprehensive curriculum covering responsibility, citizenship, health and relationships and respecting differences in others.  This programme is further supported by retreats to the local Pastoral Centre for all groups in Preps 1 to 4  and residential trips for Prep 3 and 4 to the Isle of Wight and the Lake District, Outward Bound respectively

In everything that we do we remind ourselves that our over riding philosophy is governed by the rule that we treat others as we would like to be treated. In this way we wish to make every child's experience of the school a very happy and enjoyable one.