Pastoral Care

Tonbridge School provides pastoral excellence and takes a highly proactive approach. Our system is based on a very strong House system, with strong and positive relationships between boys, staff and parents. Fostering an atmosphere in which all members of the community look out for each other is at the heart of all that we do.

The House system generates the ‘small group identity’ here at Tonbridge that strengthens a boy’s sense of security, belonging and wellbeing. All boys become an integral part of a smaller community within the School and, tellingly, every boy believes fervently that he is in the best House!

Our 12 Housemasters play a pivotal role. The Housemaster is the focal point of a boy’s life at Tonbridge, and is supported by a tutor team attached to each House, with Matrons in the Boarding House teams.

The House system enables us to focus on the needs of each individual boy and to monitor his progress and development closely. No one gets lost in the system, as a Housemaster soon gets to know the boys and their families well and is able to respond quickly to issues should they arise. In addition, tutors meet with the boys formally and informally.

The Pastoral system extends beyond the House, with an overlapping yet complementary range of systems and people whose role is to support and care for the boys. These include our 24-hour on-site Medical Centre, the Chaplaincy, a dedicated School Counsellor and support networks among the boys, such as the Anti-Bullying Council. Lower and Upper School Councils and the Overseas’ Students Council are also an important part of the School’s approach, giving boys a ‘voice’ on many issues and seeking their views.

Our approach was scrutinised by the most recent ISI inspection, where our pastoral provision was not only deemed compliant but was assessed in the highest possible terms.