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Responding to medical needs
Childline in partnership with schools
(CHIPS): Peer guidance in confidence
Lesson on construction industry
All pupils sign ICT code of conduct
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| Pastoral care
and Special Educational Needs |
Pastoral Care
At Howell’s we offer a well-structured system of pastoral care
both through Personal, Social and Health Education lessons and through
a carefully developed tutorial and house system. Each girl follows a
clearly designated PSHE course, which gives her the chance to explore
values and personal beliefs, to understand her own feelings and how
they impact on others, and to develop a clear moral code.
The school actively promotes all forms of racial
and religious equality and girls are encouraged to express their views
and test opinions. Concepts of fairness, mutual respect and tolerance
are constantly revisited as part of the whole school approach to personal
and social development. PSHE rightly underpins other curricular subjects,
for example, literature studied in English, through the study of the
sciences, arts and humanities, and through school assemblies, all of
which reflect the cultural inclusiveness and tolerance which is a hallmark
of daily life at Howell’s.
Assembly is important in developing in the girls’ moral and spiritual
awareness and in fostering a sense of community. Music is often provided
by an orchestra, a choir, a smaller group of instrumentalists or soloists.
We hope that parents of all faiths or none will want their daughters to
take part, but they are free to withdraw them on religious grounds if
they wish. In this event parents should make their request in writing
to the Principal.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS
Our aim at Howell’s is to support the educational development
of all our girls so that they can achieve their full potential. If a
girl has a known specific need, be it educational or physical, we will
try to meet that need within our capabilities.
In the Junior School any areas of special need are identified through
the structured and ongoing assessment programme. We have a screening
programme in the first term of Year 7 in the Senior School to help in
the identification of special needs; if there is reason to suspect that
the girl may be affected by a particular condition such as mild
dyslexia, her parents will be informed, and specialist advice and diagnosis
may be recommended at the parents’ expense. The school will then
offer all reasonable support to follow the specialist advice given,
often through our on- site satellite of the Dyslexia Institute. Literacy
and numeracy support is also offered at KS3 for those pupils who may
need it.
At Howell’s School we will aim to offer equal access to all pupils,
disabled and non-disabled, by making all reasonable adjustments to the
curriculum and property of the school. The express intention is to create
an inclusive culture within the school where the pupils and staff value
each other through positive interaction. It should be noted, however,
that the Code of Practice 2002 permits independent schools “to
select on the grounds of ability and aptitude” and, since Howell’s
School is an academic school, a selection process is in operation which
we aim to operate with objectivity and transparency.
CODE OF CONDUCT
At Howell’s we expect high standards of behaviour. Our core values
include respect for others and encouraging pupils to take responsibility
for themselves, their possessions, and the possessions of others. We
believe that every pupil has the right to feel comfortable and secure
in an environment conducive to effective learning.
Anti-bullying policy
Each pupil signs an anti-bullying statement each year and parents are
asked to co-sign. We think it essential that parents are aware of how
seriously staff view this issue.
ICT
We encourage responsible use of ICT, and provide filtered Internet
Access to pupils in the Senior School. Before being allowed to use this,
all pupils must obtain parental permission and co-sign a Code of Conduct
agreement. E-mail accounts are given to pupils in Years 10-13. We cannot
guarantee complete security.
Drugs
Drug misuse is a major threat to individuals, families and the wider
community. Howell’s as a school cannot solve the problem but we
can ensure that education plays a key role in making pupils aware of
the risks of drug taking and having the knowledge and skills to resist
peer pressure. The possession, use or supply of drugs in school or in
a school-related context will not be condoned under any circumstances
and will be treated as a very serious disciplinary offence. It will
usually result in the offending girl’s permanent exclusion from
the school. The disciplinary sanctions are clearly set out in the GDST’s
exclusions procedures, a copy of which is available to parents from
school offices.
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