Pastoral Overview

The step into Sixth Form can be a challenging and transformative period for students. As they progress from the predicable structure of general schooling to a more self-motivated, goal-oriented environment, new challenges and pressures arise. 

At this critical juncture, pastoral care plays an indispensable role and staff understand the important role they have as custodians of the emotional, social, and moral well-being of our students. Ursuline College strongly believes in cultivating an atmosphere that genuinely values each student as a unique individual with distinct needs, aspirations, and potential.  

Beyond its traditional scope in the lower school, pastoral care in Sixth Form carries a heightened importance. The reasons are manifold. For one, it marks the transition between a school-centred stage of education and individual-centred university or professional life. This transitional phase is a sensitive period filled with self-exploration, self-questioning and momentous decision-making. By providing educational, psychological, and moral support, pastoral care helps students navigate this rocky path, alleviating anxiety, boosting self-esteem and enabling informed decision-making.  

In addition, Sixth Form students are more likely than their younger counterparts to face issues such as stress and examination pressure, mental health issues, and burgeoning responsibilities. The Sixth Form team are trained to identify and addressing these issues early on, ultimately fostering a secure and nurturing environment conducive to academic success and personal growth. Whilst there is a significant focus on academic performance throughout Sixth Form, the pastoral team promotes the holistic development of students by inculcating vital life skills such as resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills that are increasingly being recognised as indispensable in a rapidly changing world.  

At Ursuline College, Year 12 and Year 13 students have their own distinct House, St. Michael’s. The House is led by the Director of Sixth Form, the Deputy Director of Sixth Form and a House Manager. Together, they deal with all issues that arise, on a day to day basis. The end result of the high-quality care provided over the course of the two years, is that students leave Ursuline College Sixth Form as rounded individuals who are not just academically proficient but also emotionally and socially adept. Such individuals are better equipped to navigate their future landscapes, whether it be apprenticeships, university, employment, or broader society.