The test of a good school is how well it understands and supports boys through their sometimes-difficult teenage years.
Our dedicated teachers and carers are keenly interested in the welfare of their pupils. Centred on the tutor system and House communities, a strong, individualised system of pastoral care ensures that every pupil enjoys his time at Taylors’.
Tutors are supported by the Heads of Section, Chaplain and the School Counsellor, who can be contacted independently and confidentially by any pupil or parent. There is also extensive mentoring of younger boys by older ones.
We have extensive, formal mechanisms of support, but boys will often turn to a friend rather than anyone else. The real strength of Merchant Taylors’ is the network of friendships amongst the boys, singled out as ‘outstanding’ in the Inspection Report of 2014. “Pupils demonstrate an exceptional standard of personal development… The outstanding levels of behaviour and the significant generosity shown through so many facets of school life result in well-rounded and mature pupils who make a substantial contribution to the wider society. Relationships between staff and pupils, and among the pupils themselves, are positive and highly respectful throughout. Tutors exercise a key role in supporting their tutees”.
We keep the school rules as simple as possible. Good behaviour is warmly encouraged: unacceptable behaviour dealt with swiftly. Of course, boys are boys, and most will make the odd mistake along the way. That is what learning is all about and the atmosphere here is positive, never punitive.
Well-being
Pupil wellbeing underlies and supports our academic and co-curricular pursuits. Joy is one of our core values, and we believe that boys are happy when they are busy, engaging in scholarship, sport, music and drama.
We also understand that wellbeing must be built on a solid and resilient foundation. From his very first day at MTS, a boy is under the care of his Tutor and Head of House and is encouraged to see these people as his first line of support for any problems which arise. Vertical tutor groups mean boys quickly bond with those from other year groups, who often act as mentors, and will become an in -school ‘family’ for a boy’s entire journey through the school.
A bespoke, timetabled PSHE curriculum provides pupils in every year group with age-appropriate knowledge and skills around a range of topics; from how to make friends and have healthy relationships, through to how to look after their mental health, how to stay safe online and how to stay safe at their first summer music festival.
Our Heads of Wellbeing ensure pupils are given a voice and undertake regular surveys on topics such as sleep, relationships, and space. A lunchtime club and quiet wellbeing spaces is offered for those who want to make new friends and for those in need. The School Council ensures pupils’ views on wellbeing are communicated directly to senior staff into order effect change.
We also recognise that wellbeing challenges are a normal part of growing up. Our Heads of House and Heads of Section are all qualified Youth Mental Health First Aiders. The school counselling service is available for pupils to make appointments in confidence, and the School Nurse and Chaplain are available for advice or just for times when pupils want to talk to someone outside of the teaching staff. Trained pastoral coaches offer individual sessions for those who want to work through a challenge and our Learning Support Department offer Executive Function clinics and general provision for those finding aspect of academic study a challenge. Pupils are taught to look out for each other’s wellbeing, and our Student Voice app allows them to anonymously report if they believe a peer may need help. All of our Pastoral Team are experienced in supporting pupils and can guide them towards early help in school or with external agencies.