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Original poster

Pastoral care at Private Schools- what is yours like?

128 replies

JessicaWakefieldSVH · 22/03/2019 15:47

I have a DD at a top Independent in London. I don't want to share too much of her personal struggles, she has asked for help and not been given it a lot, we have had to organise it all ourselves, she has high functioning autism and depression.

What are your experiences of pastoral care at private schools? I have found this school, through local GP's ( plural ) has a huge problem with anxiety and mental illness. It's rife, and serious, and my DD and friends back that up. I have had two years of back and forth dialogue around that. I spoke to a lawyer about negligence it was so bad. I am pretty sure they haven't followed their own policies and my DH is now fuming after recent issues and wants to begin a complaints process.

Could I just ask other parents what their wellbeing policies are like? what kind of services your school has and what adjustments do they make for special needs etc

Thank you.

OP posts:
Doraismissing · 22/03/2019 17:24

Can I presume she is at an all girls school. These, esp in London, have a reputation for poor pastoral care. It's all about the results

Original poster
JessicaWakefieldSVH · 22/03/2019 17:08

Her autism was obviously always there but not diagnosed till after she had been there awhile. Its high functioning so she is very academically 'gifted', prob not right phrase. Its the volume that triggers anxiety and depression which did not present until GCSE year.

Thanks for your comments.

OP posts:
organiccoffee · 22/03/2019 16:47

Did you DD join the school with pre-existing conditions, or those were developed in the school? For top selective independent schools, I found it is extremely difficult for children with SEN to pass the selective exams, although they all claim they have good SEN department.

For DS' school, they have a dedicated teach looking after children's wellbeing. You can book one to one sessions with that teach to discuss your concerns or need. But as we have never used it, I can't comment on how functioning it is.