Pastoral Care
At Millfield Preparatory School we see the pastoral care and needs of our children as central to their success and personal development. Although we are a large school we preserve the caring atmosphere of a small one.
Our recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) noted that the quality of our pastoral care was outstanding. They said:
‘The excellence in pastoral care is fundamental to the school's aims, which seek to
enable the discovery and development of unique talents and abilities in each pupil'.
ISI report November 2009
During the school day each child in the school has the benefit of several key adults who are particularly concerned with their welfare. Every child has a Group Tutor who gets to know the children very well and takes an active interest in the overall development of each child. The Group Tutors are the first point of contact for parents as well. Our Group Tutors and Heads of Year are fundamental to the success of our pastoral care system with pupil wellbeing at the centre of their regular meetings to ensure that the circumstances of each child are known and acted on if necessary.
In addition to this, the Deputy Head, Director of Boarding and Pastoral Co-ordinator are also fully involved with all aspects of the children's daily lives and this enables relationships between staff and children to be built on mutual trust and respect where children know who they can turn to in times of need. Similarly, our boarding children enjoy extremely high standards of pastoral care with all boarding staff working together to ensure that children's individual needs are met.
Personal Social Health Education (PSHE)
Our aim at Millfield Prep School is to ensure that children are educated in a holistic manner through the development of connections to the community, to the natural world and to humanitarian values such as compassion and peace.
Meals
Food plays a very important part in the life of a boarding school and we are fortunate in having an excellent catering department. Breakfast begins at 0745 every School morning for boarders. There is always a cereal counter, a hot section offering a full English breakfast, as well as the option of a continental breakfast, toast, yoghurt and fruit. At lunchtime there are several hot options, including vegetarian, a full salad bar and a range of desserts and fresh fruit. There are also tasty options always available at supper as well! Boarders also enjoy healthy snack choices in the evenings as well.
Food Technology
From year 5 pupils have dedicated food and nutrition lessons, with an emphasis on practical cookery skills and the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet. Younger children are also introduced to healthy eating through their PSHE programme.
Health Care
Our school surgery was recognised in our recent OFSTED Boarding Report as "providing exceptional health care to the children" (OFSTED Outstanding 2009/2010).
The school surgery is open six days a week. It provides primary medical care for the boarders at MPS and takes a significant role in the welfare of all pupils. Although it is only the boarders who are registered with the school doctor, accident and emergency cover is provided for everyone on the campus.
A full range of primary medical services is offered including routine new pupil medical examinations, regular asthma and travel immunisation clinics, annual heights/weights and a doctor's surgery four days per week.
The medical team comprises three Registered General Nurses and a visiting doctor. A female doctor is available on request. There is a friendly open door policy and a holistic approach to provide a high standard of health care.
If a day pupils is injured or taken ill during the school day, he or she will be cared for in the surgery and parents will be contacted. Boarders are cared for in their boarding houses buy their houseparent's with the full support of the medical team.
A physiotherapist is available three times a week at school. This is a private practice for which a charge is made. However, she is fully recognised by all major health insurers.
It is recommended that all routine dental checks are carried out in the school holidays although a local practice can provide emergency cover in the term time. The school has a private dental and health insurance scheme, details of which are available on request.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Children
Millfield Prep School recognises the importance of looking after the needs of all our children. Please see our Child Protection and Safeguarding Children policy.
School Counsellor
There are occasions when some children may need to spend time working therapeutically with our dedicated and experienced School Counsellor. These sessions are made by appointment following liaison between relevant staff, our Pastoral Co-ordinator and the Counsellor.
