Well-being and pastoral in Sixth Form
Supporting personal growth and academic success
When you feel happy, safe and secure, you can thrive. At Kimbolton, we take pride in delivering exceptional pastoral support to our students.
In Sixth Form, you will benefit from personalised attention, in our small classes and tutor groups. Teachers collaborate to provide tailored support, fostering a strong sense of community.
Pastoral care is centred around our house system, and our co-educational approach extends to mixed houses, classes, and tutor groups, preparing you for real-world dynamics. Our Parents’ Pastoral Evenings cover topics pertinent to raising teenagers with outside speakers, facilitating small group discussions and interaction with pastoral staff.
Pastoral support
Our pastoral support prioritises the well-being and personal development of pupils. This support system features a dedicated team of tutors, housemasters, and housemistresses who provide daily guidance and assistance.
House system
As part of one of our senior houses: Balyes, Dawsons, Gibbards or Owens and in your tutor group, you will be joined by other members of your house. Our house system builds community and is the focus of a wide variety of sporting, academic and other competitions. Senior houses begin in Third Form, therefore as a Sixth Former you will have opportunities to take the lead as a role model for younger pupils.
Sixth Form committee
We want to know what Sixth Formers think, to encourage suggestions, debate ideas and discuss proposals for change. An elected committee meets regularly with the Head of Sixth Form to discuss any issues with an open agenda. There are also Sixth Form Forums to discuss and air suggestions from both year groups.
Social life
Our Sixth Form Common Room and Club is the centre of student social life. Regular events include the annual barbecue, Christmas themed party, quiz night, film nights, music nights and the spectacular end-of-year Summer Ball.
The Club helps to bring both year groups together and provides plenty of memorable moments.
Well-being services
We offer a range of initiatives to support the emotional and social development of all pupils, including:
- The Wellbeing Hub – An online resource offering mental health and wellbeing support for both parents and pupils.
- Wellbeing Room – A safe space where pupils can seek guidance and support from dedicated staff members.
- Wellbeing Mentors – Sixth Form mentors provide peer support to younger pupils, while a team of staff volunteers offer advice and encouragement.
- Mental Health Workshops – Practical sessions offering strategies and techniques to address key mental health issues.
- Health Centre – Our on-site centre provides comprehensive physical and mental health support, with nurses and counsellors available for both pupils and staff.
Spiritual life at Kimbolton
Our school welcomes people from all faiths and secular backgrounds. Christian principles and ideals shape our ethos.
The Castle’s chapel, once the spiritual retreat of Katharine of Aragon and decorated by Pellegrini, acts a calm retreat and is a thought-provoking place for worship and reflection.
Our Chaplain leads services, encourages student involvement in services and assemblies and provides pastoral care for all members of our school community. The Castle’s historic chapel – once the spiritual retreat of Katharine of Aragon – offers a serene space for worship or reflection.
Across Kimbolton School, we mark key Christian events each year. We also celebrate Founders’ Day in October, and our Combined Cadet Force joins the local village community for the annual Remembrance Sunday Service.
We hold joint Christian Union activities, including a popular annual summer camp, and preparation for Confirmation is available, culminating in a service led by a local bishop in Spring Term.
Safeguarding
We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our boarding and day pupils, irrespective of age, ability, race, culture, religion or sexuality, Safeguarding is deeply embedded within the ethos of the School and we expect all colleagues, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.
Full details of our safeguarding policies including child protection, whistle-blowing and recruitment procedures are published in our policies area.
Safeguarding team
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
– Whole School-
Vanessa Garratt
01480 862041
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
– Senior School –
Laura Hadden
01480 862240
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
– Prep School –
Oliver Stokes
01480 862062
Deputy Designated Safeguarding & Mental Health Lead
– Senior School –
Emily Davidson-Smith
01480 862241
Other Designated Safeguarding Staff
- Head of Lower Prep School: Mrs Laura Collins
- Assistant Housemistress, LAC (Looked after Children Coordinator): Mrs Stephanie Lace
- Health Centre Manager: Mrs Claire Watson
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“Life in Sixth Form can be whatever you want it to be: full of sport, music, drama, academics, socialising or, more likely, a mixture of all of these. The thing I value most is the support from teachers. My co-curricular commitments sit comfortably alongside my A Levels and this creates a really good work-life balance.”
Toby, Sixth Form student
