Pastoral

Our Boys' School pastoral system gives each boy a voice and with it the support he needs as he learns about himself and others. We help our boys to focus on the resilience they need to become the good, active and purposeful citizens of tomorrow.

One of the benefits of our diamond structure is that each school has its own, well-established, pastoral system designed to create a caring and supportive framework for each pupil. Our pupils are part of smaller groups who are looked after and guided by staff who are experienced and trained in dealing with issues which affect specific age ranges and genders. 

Welcomed into a supportive pastoral environment, boys are placed in the care of experienced form teachers in classes of no more than 24 pupils, meeting twice a day and playing the vital role of a point of familiar contact for parents and pupils alike. Boys usually stay in these classes for the whole of their time in the Boys’ School and, by the end of their five years together, boys have formed strong and long-lasting friendships.

The Head of Lower School, supported by the Assistant Head of Lower School, guides all the boys in Years 7-9 with an individual and dedicated 'open door' approach, ensuring that each pupil feels happy and confident in his school environment. This personalised support continues throughout Years 10 and 11 with the older boys under the care of the Head of Middle School who supports each pupil in the vital run up to GCSE examinations.

Overseeing the pastoral team and fully involved in all aspects of care for the pupils is the Head of the Boys’ School and the Vice Principal (Pastoral). Working closely together the team ensures individual and professional support at every stage of your son’s time in school.

Our Director of Pupil Wellbeing works alongside our Vice Principal (Pastoral) managing a team that includes a school nurse, a counsellor, a child and adolescent psychotherapist and an Art Psychotherapist. However, the most popular and unique member of our pastoral team is our well-established therapy dog, Heidi. Our aim is to create a safe and open culture that allows us to offer timely multifaceted support. Our commitment is demonstrated via our dedicated wellbeing area - The Snug which offers tailored wellbeing aid to pupils of all ages. 

Our students regularly contribute to the development of our pastoral care offering. Two recent additions include Whisper, an anonymous reporting tool designed to provide pupils with a safe and confidential platform to voice their concerns, and the inclusion of the Cambridge Wellbeing Check, a digital, online assessment that provides valuable insights into pupils’ emotional wellbeing, allowing educators and pastoral care providers to tailor support services effectively. You can read more about these latest initiatives on our news page.

Visitors to the schools, from prospective parents to outside speakers, regularly comment on the happy, confident and engaging boys who are so evidently proud of their school. It is always a great pleasure to see Allanians in later life who have not only been successful themselves, but have seen the importance of supporting others along the way. In producing such young adults, DABS has succeeded.