Our first priority in the Lower School is to help new pupils make a smooth and successful transition to senior school. Our pupil induction programme aims to ensure that each girl settles confidently into St Helen's.
We firmly believe that pupils must feel happy and secure if they are to thrive, learn successfully and develop fully their individual talents.
A strong Lower School pastoral team is responsible for each girl's welfare. Girls are arranged into four tutor groups of about 25 girls in which they stay for two years. Each tutor group has a form tutor and a support tutor and each year group has a year head. Form tutors and support tutors are concerned not only with the academic progress of each girl, but with her overall well-being. In regular, one to one meetings with their tutors, pupils are encouraged to discuss their successes and concerns. Form tutors come to know each girl in their care extremely well and together with the Head of Lower School, maintain close links with parents.
Girls in Year 7 go on a week-long residential trip to enable them to get to know each other better and to challenge themselves as individuals. There is also an activity based personal challenge day in Year 8.
Miss Anita Ellis Head of Lower School