Well-being and pastoral in Sixth Form
Pastoral care at the heart of our Sixth Form experience.
At Kimbolton School, pastoral care is central to our Sixth Form experience. As part of our close-knit community, with its strong family ethos, you will be known, supported and valued as an individual.
Kimbolton Sixth Form is big enough to offer a wide range of opportunities, yet small enough to ensure everyone is known personally.
You will benefit from:
- Personal support from dedicated, experienced tutors and pastoral staff
- Opportunities within our vibrant House system
- A culture in which older pupils are trusted to lead, mentor and contribute
“A Kimbolton Sixth Form education is not simply about preparing students for exams, but equipping them for life in an uncertain and fast-changing world.”
Tutor groups at Kimbolton Sixth Form
Sixth Form tutor groups include Upper and Lower Sixth pupils. This ensures every Sixth Former remains with the same tutor from their first session of Induction through to the Leavers’ Ball.
As part of a small tutor group, you will benefit from sharing the journey of pupils in the year above and be able to form a strong, supportive relationship with your tutor. This relationship will be key to navigating your A Level studies and preparing for life beyond school – including providing references for your chosen post-18 pathway.
Sixth Form tutors are highly experienced pastoral experts. They work closely with the Director of Sixth Form, Assistant Head (Pastoral), Wellbeing Team, and our Housemistresses and Housemasters.
Our Director of Sixth Form is based in the Sixth Form Common Rooms, facilitating day-to-day contact with Sixth Formers and ensuring ready access to informal expertise and support whenever you need it.
Supporting your well-being
Our wellbeing provision supports Sixth Formers in their unique position within the school.
You will have access to:
- Our Wellbeing Room during Private Study periods, where trained staff are available to talk through any concerns
- Support from our Chaplain, Reverend Cathy, also via the Wellbeing Room
- Free, confidential counselling with qualified counsellors
- A nurse-run Health Centre, alongside medical provision, providing confidential advice on smoking and vaping, alcohol and sexual health
House system
The house system at Kimbolton was introduced in 1940 by then Headmaster, William Ingram, for pastoral care and competition purposes.
Through our vertical House system, you will have exceptional opportunities to develop your leadership skills.
Through your Sixth Form tutor group, you will be paired with Third or Fourth Form (Year 9 and 10) groups for fortnightly sessions. These sessions:
- Explore a range of discussion topics
- Encourage debate, competition and games
- Allow Sixth Form pupils to act as role models for younger peers, giving every Sixth Former the platform and opportunity to lead
Our Houses
Leadership
Sixth Form experience actively fosters leadership and communication skills across a wide range of areas.
From traditional roles such as House Captains and Gown Prefects, to prefects who support a First or Second Form group (Year 7 or 8), and Captains of Sport or Subject Ambassadors, opportunities for leadership are plentiful at Kimbolton.
Mentoring: KimCoaches
Join our innovative KimCoaches mentoring programme to build your leadership and interpersonal skills.
KimCoaches receive mentoring training before supporting younger pupils in situations where a student voice can be particularly valuable.
Kimbolton Citizenship programme
In weekly Citizenship lectures, you will experience informative and insightful sessions curated to support each stage of your Sixth Form journey.
From asylum, contraception, drugs and healthy eating, to student finance, driving safety, LGBT Pride and cookery demonstrations from our in-house chefs, our unique Citizenship programme supports outward-looking, confident and well-informed young adults.
The programme facilitates exploration of topics in small groups within a collaborative, supportive environment.
Sixth Form social life
Good friendships, strong working relationships and a sense of togetherness are central to the Kimbolton Sixth Form experience.
In our Common Room, you will find comfy sofas, study spaces and the all-important supply of tea and coffee, as well as a pool table and table football. It is a space where you can study, socialise and relax.
Social events, led by our pupil Sixth Form Committee, are exceptionally well attended and include:
- A September BBQ
- Our Christmas Party
- Winter Formal
- Annual Leavers’ Ball – a formal black-tie ball, complete with fireworks, dodgems and a live band, attended by the whole Sixth Form
“At our Leavers’ Ball, all Upper Sixth Formers – A Levels completed and dressed in their finest – walk up the Portico steps with their friends at the end of their time at Kimbolton. It represents the culmination of what a Kimbolton Sixth Form education is about beyond the academic: celebration, achievement and togetherness.“
Kimbolton Learning DNA
We promote
Guidance and support
Chaplaincy at Kimbolton
An inclusive place for everyone to share their thoughts about religions, spirituality or world views.
Our school welcomes people from all faiths and secular backgrounds. Our Chaplain encourages students to explore their own religion, spirituality and views, welcoming all ideas to be shared in Chapel services. Rev’d Cathy is happy to meet with any student to discuss their thoughts on a 1:1 basis.
Each House attends Chapel once a fortnight and hosts a service at St Andrew’s Church in Kimbolton, once a year. Our Chaplain leads, whilst encouraging student involvement and provides pastoral care for all members of our school community. Christian principles and ideals have shaped the school’s ethos from its foundation; therefore, there are elements of the Christian tradition present in all Chapel and Church services.
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.
Across Kimbolton School, we mark key Christian events as well as supporting other religious celebrations such as Diwali and Ramadan. We also celebrate Founders’ Day, and our Combined Cadet Force joins the local village community for the annual Remembrance Sunday Service. There is an active Christian Union and preparation for Confirmation is available, culminating in a service led by a local bishop in the 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), Mental Health Lead and Looked After Child Coordinator
Vanessa Garratt
01480 862041
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
– Prep School –
Jo Rowley-Burns
01480 862062
Deputy Designated Safeguarding
– Senior School –
Emily Davidson-Smith
01480 862241
Other Designated Safeguarding Staff
- Health Centre Manager: Ms Kate Hollis
