Prioritising wellbeing to enhance academic achievement
Pastoral support is more than just care – it is the foundation of a student’s growth, wellbeing, and success. It creates a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels seen, heard and valued. True pastoral support goes beyond academics; it builds trust, fosters resilience and empowers students to navigate challenges with confidence.
At Abingdon House School, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. It is about nurturing the whole child. Our mission is to deliver meaningful outcomes for every student, tailored to their unique learning profiles. At the heart of this commitment is pastoral support. For our students, emotional wellbeing is not just a secondary part of academic success, it is the bedrock of it. Research consistently shows that when pastoral care is prioritised, SEND students flourish emotionally and achieve greater academic progress. By addressing their holistic needs, we cultivate an environment where every student can thrive.
The link between pastoral support and academic success
Pastoral care provides vital support for the emotional, social and mental well-being of students. SEND students often experience heightened anxiety, stress and social isolation, making this support crucial. The Education Endowment Foundation (2019) highlights the strong link between social-emotional development and academic achievement. When students feel emotionally secure, they engage more effectively in learning.
SEND students may face significant stress from sensory overload, communication difficulties or learning challenges. The Department for Education (2020) found that integrating pastoral care into school life improves both mental health and academic engagement. Ensuring students feel supported and understood enhances their ability to succeed.
At AHS, emotional well-being is at the core of every lesson. Each session begins with a check-in, using specialised programs to support emotional regulation and tools designed to create a safe, engaging learning environment. Our personalised approach includes tailored support plans, structured well-being breaks and customised in-class strategies. By prioritising emotional well-being, we empower students to access their learning in a way that is secure, supportive and suited to their strengths.
Mental health and emotional safety for SEND students
Mental health issues are particularly prevalent among SEND students. The Mental Health Foundation (2020) reports that these students are at greater risk of anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation, which can directly impact their ability to focus on academic tasks. Addressing these challenges through pastoral care is essential.
At AHS, we adopt a whole-school approach to mental health, ensuring every student receives the support they need. All staff are trained in positive language and mental health awareness, while targeted and specialist interventions – such as counselling, ELSA sessions, behaviour support, a dedicated well-being room, regular check-ins, and access to both speech & language and occupational therapists – provide tailored assistance. This comprehensive framework helps buffer students against the effects of mental health challenges. NICE (2019) emphasises that integrating mental health support with academic learning enhances educational outcomes, particularly for SEND students.
Many students and parents have shared powerful feedback about the impact of this approach:
“You guys have made me feel like I have someone safe to talk in the school, which I’ve never had in my other schools” – Year 8 Pupil
“When I have a problem, I always have someone to talk to in the Wellbeing Room since I started” – Year 8 Pupil
“My child feels valued and listened too which has helped with her personal growth” – Parent
“My daughter receives the most supportive, understanding, kind and utterly bespoke care from the Pastoral Team at AHS. On the more challenging days, the team have encouraged my daughter into school. They engage with her in the most beautiful way and communicate with me to assure me she’s doing well. Never underestimate the skills and magic they have in transforming a day.” – Parent
Building relationships and individualised support
A key aspect of pastoral care for SEND students is fostering strong, trusting relationships with staff. Positive interactions with teachers and support staff enhance emotional security, enabling students to engage in learning more effectively. The National Autistic Society (2020) found that students with autism benefit significantly from supportive relationships with educators, helping them manage anxiety and other challenges that may interfere with learning.
Creating connections is at the heart of our pastoral approach at AHS. Staff prioritise rapport-building to support students effectively, recognising its long-term impact. Every student has a trusted adult of their choice, someone they feel comfortable turning to in times of need. This can be any staff member, including non-teaching staff, reinforcing our belief that pastoral support is everyone’s responsibility. To strengthen these connections, our staff receive training on relationship-building and we host dedicated team-building days where staff and students spend quality time together. This intentional focus on trust and connection creates a truly supportive and nurturing school environment.
The power of pastoral care in SEND success
Pastoral care is essential to the success of SEND students, supporting both their emotional well-being and academic growth. Research shows that when schools prioritise the social and emotional needs of SEND students, they foster a more inclusive, supportive environment where learning thrives. At AHS, we take a holistic approach, integrating emotional and academic support to empower our students to reach their full potential and achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes.
