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What pastoral support was available to you at school? asks Nick Dyson, Deputy Principal at The Ladies College.
You might remember one ‘great teacher’ who just seemed to understand you. In fact, this teacher accepted you and gave you a space to be, and you might have felt relieved to have someone to turn to in a maelstrom. Their feedback probably resonated with you and often their values aligned with those found at home with your families.
Take a step back from your favourite teacher and now consider the wider current educational culture. I ask, how do we nurture a culture where school expectations are probably clear but there is also room for the individual to grow?
The Children’s Society reminds us that more than five children in a classroom of thirty are likely to have a mental health problem. 52% of 17- to 23-year-olds have experienced a deterioration in mental health in the last five years with young women being the group most at risk of developing a mental health issue.
At the same time, schools claim to be developing future leaders through exciting initiatives which encourage problem-solving, creativity, innovation, collaboration and more. Surely, we must pay careful attention to the development of the individual as we help them navigate this tricky stage of life.
Guernsey is a fabulous place to live and a safe place to bring up children. But the child’s needs and sentiments must be embraced and understood if we are to create flexible, curious, self-regulating leaders, stewards and listeners for the future. Since relocating to the island in January 2024, I have asked some significant questions in my role at The Ladies’ College.
· When and why do we ask students to be silent?
· Does this create the environment in which future leaders will thrive?
· Though less comfortable, are we now living in a world where their voice and challenge are needed?
· Moreover, how do we ensure that each student is known?
At The Ladies’ College, we are addressing these questions through the introduction of mentoring. All Sixth Form students will be linked with a mentor and attend weekly meetings. We aim to create an environment with deeper listening, bespoke guidance and advice, and allow teachers to get to know our young adults on a greater level.
Teachers and tutors are often having to communicate information that supports the mass audience. But we feel that now is the time to discuss some of the more complex topics (justice, equity, inclusion, diversity, conflict, climate, careers and more).
Education must elevate and challenge students while providing them with robust support. Through the establishment of our 'Pathways Partners' network, we are poised to better prepare our Sixth Form students for the demands of a rapidly evolving world. Our commitment is rooted in kindness, bravery, and integrity, and we aim to prepare our young adults for the future by offering guidance from professionals who confront real-world problems and engage in compassionate mentoring.
Just as my great-great-aunt, Dora Marsden, fought for women’s rights, we are working tirelessly to prepare and position our bright leaders and thinkers of the future.
The current educational landscape demands a focus on developing core skills and enhancing industry connections to tackle pressing societal challenges—from climate change and political discourse to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. Our hope lies in the sensitivity and decision-making of future female leaders and thinkers in our student body. It’s a significant project, grounded in evidence-based planning, but one we are completely committed to at The Ladies' College.
