Wellbeing

There are over thirty councils and groups with a pastoral focus. Most are pupil-led and they include:

School Councils

The Upper and Lower School Councils meet termly with the Lower School covering Years 9 to 11 chaired by the Lower Master, and the Upper School by the Head of School and represents the Sixth Form. Each House is represented on each council and members are elected by their peers. Matters discussed vary from issues that the School and staff would like to hear the boys’ opinions and views on, to the boys’ own items. The twelve House Councils meet before School Councils so that a representative voice is heard. Minutes and actions are published in Houses.

ABC

The Anti-Bullying Council is a long-established group that keep an eye out for those in need of support, to bring to the attention of staff any issues, relationships and incidents that need staff knowledge and perhaps input, and to campaign and highlight the School’s approach to tackling bullying. The ABC is led by five staff Coordinators who meet the boys fortnightly and provide ongoing training both in year groups, across all ABC members in the School and also within each House. Boys are elected by peers onto the Council and every House year group is represented. The ABC Coordinators record, track and analyse all instances of bullying and work closely with Housemasters, the Lower Master and the Deputy Head Pastoral and will be actively involved where needed.

The African Caribbean Society (ACS)

The ACS is a group for boys of black heritage to meet, socialise, support one another and to raise awareness of issues facing members of the community both at School and in the wider world. They meet for socials termly and sometimes with other schools and they will speak to boys both in assemblies, Chapel and on visits to prep schools.

PRISM

This is the school’s LGBTQ+ society that is boy-led by a senior boy who receives training from the Deputy Head Pastoral, and with dedicated member of staff giving help and oversight. They meet on a fortnightly basis, organise social events like film screenings, theatre visits and events with other schools like Benenden. They will also raise awareness through campaigns and Chapel talks.

The Overseas Student Council (OSC)

This is open to any boy who lives overseas. It meets on a termly basis with the International Student Liaison Officer and the Deputy Head Pastoral. It is a forum for boys to meet, discuss themes in common at School, plan trips and activities including at least three trips on Long Exeats a year.

There are a number of other pastoral societies including the Jewish Society, the Islamic Society and the South Asian Society where boys can meet, socialise, and support each other.