Wellbeing
Junior School
Activities
Wellbeing is integrated into every aspect of life at JAGS Junior School. Pupils reflect on their thoughts and feelings, considering how they feel each day and also how others may be feeling, which creates a real sense of community. There is a half termly ‘kindness cup’ awarded at the Pre-Prep, and pupils are rewarded with golden leaves for showing empathy or care for others, equally as much as they are for academic or co-curricular endeavours.
Emphasis is placed on knowing each student as an individual, working with them to develop their own self-confidence and independence.
—Tatler
JAGS Junior School Values
Bee Brilliant Pastoral Programme
From the moment pupils begin their JAGS journey, we are working to equip them with a ‘toolkit’ for success, both now and in the future.
This philosophy is crystallised in our Bee Brilliant Pastoral Programme; six key values pupils embody in order to:
- Be Inclusive
- Be Kind
- Be Respectful
- Be Resilient
- Be Brave
- Be Unique
Stretching far beyond the realms of the classroom, this programme is brought to life through all that we do, providing each pupil with the opportunity to understand, develop and embed each value, as well as enabling them to use them to guide and support daily decision making.
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The Sweet Science
The creation of Bee Brilliant has been informed by the myriad of educational research which tells us character education is crucial when supporting pupils to grow and to foster the positive personal traits, learning dispositions and moral and ethical values required to successfully navigate the world around them.
A series of collaborative workshops identified the key values closest to the hearts of our pupils, parents and staff, and thus Bee Brilliant was born.
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Busy Bees
Our school community has wholeheartedly embraced the programme via pupil workshops, school assemblies, focused lessons, staff training and parent talks. Alongside this, we commissioned a London-based artist to design beautiful character artwork that represents the diversity of our school community and has enabled us to bring the values to life across the Junior School.
Our commitment to developing competent, confident and happy pupils is unwavering and our Bee Brilliant Pastoral Programme plays a vital role in achieving this.
The creation of Bee Brilliant has been informed by the myriad of educational research which tells us character education is crucial when supporting pupils to grow and to foster the positive personal traits, learning dispositions and moral and ethical values required to successfully navigate the world around them.
A series of collaborative workshops identified the key values closest to the hearts of our pupils, parents and staff, and thus Bee Brilliant was born.
Our school community has wholeheartedly embraced the programme via pupil workshops, school assemblies, focused lessons, staff training and parent talks. Alongside this, we commissioned a London-based artist to design beautiful character artwork that represents the diversity of our school community and has enabled us to bring the values to life across the Junior School.
Our commitment to developing competent, confident and happy pupils is unwavering and our Bee Brilliant Pastoral Programme plays a vital role in achieving this.
Safeguarding
JAGS is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our pupils and staff. We believe that our pupils have the right to learn in a happy, caring and safe environment, and this includes the right to protection from all types of abuse. JAGS recognises that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and all staff receive regular training; they are alert for signs of any pupils in distress and are confident about applying safeguarding processes.
Any concerns about the safety or well-being of someone at our school should be raised with the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Rhona Muir or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) Anna Lipczynska, Faye Freeman, Tommy Foster, Kerri-Anne Bannon and Elizabeth Channon.
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Safeguarding Contacts
Rhona Muir – rhona.muir@jags.org.uk
Anna Lipczynska – anna.lipczynska@jags.org.uk
Faye Freeman – faye.freeman@jags.org.uk
Tommy Foster – tommy.foster@jags.org.uk
Kerri-Anne Bahth – kerri-anne.bahth@jags.org.uk
Elizabeth Channon – elizabeth.channon@jags.org.uk
Rhona Muir – rhona.muir@jags.org.uk
Anna Lipczynska – anna.lipczynska@jags.org.uk
Faye Freeman – faye.freeman@jags.org.uk
Tommy Foster – tommy.foster@jags.org.uk
Kerri-Anne Bahth – kerri-anne.bahth@jags.org.uk
Elizabeth Channon – elizabeth.channon@jags.org.uk
PSHCE
In the Junior School, pupils have a programme of weekly circle times and PSHCE lessons where many topics are open for discussion, from personal safety and positive friendships to celebrating difference.
This programme has the flexibility to adapt to any immediate needs of each class and addresses issues such as resilience, diversity and mental health. In addition, PSHCE themes are reflected upon during Assemblies. Visitors to our school and outside agencies further enhance the curriculum and provide specialist input to develop the children’s interest and learning.
High-quality Relationships and Sex Education ensures our pupils are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence to cope with the many pressures and challenges of modern society. Learning about friendships and family in RSE provides the building blocks to help pupils to understand themselves and others.
The Junior School has a thriving School Council which gives every girl a voice to help improve the school and encourages everyone to become an active and responsible citizen. Buddy Groups, made up of pupils from each year group, meet several times a year and promote personal and social development. This enables closer bonds to be forged between girls of all ages throughout the school.
Support
Pastoral care is central to all we do and is embedded in all members of our dedicated staff, led by the expertise of our Deputy Head Pastoral. It is crucial that your child feels cared for and supported throughout their time at school. At the Junior School the most important link in the pastoral support chain is your child’s Form Teacher: they are concerned with each child’s overall welfare and make a huge effort to ensure that all pupils feel happy and valued. All staff contribute to the welfare and care of pupils. We value strong links with parents and work together to ensure the most positive experience for your child.
In the Prep School, each class has a Deputy Form Teacher, who provides an extra level of pastoral care for the pupils. In the Pre-Prep, the same support is provided by the Teaching Assistants.
There are many more people that pupils can talk to if they need support including two school counsellors, a Pastoral Support teacher and the school nursing team, who are all experts in various fields of mental and physical health.
Parents and carers are encouraged to read the Safeguarding (Child Protection) Policy. A paper copy can be posted on request.
