Pastoral Support & Wellbeing
Supporting every student to thrive: An ambitious sixth form experience built on care, inclusion and wellbeing.
Pastoral Support & Wellbeing
At Harris Sixth Form, we believe your sixth form experience is about far more than exam results. Sixth form is a transformational stage of life: a time to grow academically, personally and socially as you prepare for adult life.
Every teacher and leader across our sixth forms is committed to helping you thrive during Key Stage 5 - supporting not only your academic progress, but also your confidence, wellbeing, resilience and sense of belonging.
You will be known as an individual here. With smaller teaching groups, dedicated mentoring and close relationships with staff, students benefit from meaningful one-to-one support throughout their sixth form journey.
Every Harris sixth form has a strong pastoral structure, including:
- A dedicated Head of Sixth Form
- Safeguarding and wellbeing teams
- Tutors and pastoral leaders
- Heads of Year or House teams
- Non-teaching student support staff
- Student wellbeing and leadership teams in many of our sixth forms
Together, these teams create an environment where students feel safe, supported and empowered to succeed.
A Culture of Inclusion, Equality and Respect
Equality, respect and inclusion underpin everything we do across Harris sixth forms. We are proud to foster communities where students feel valued, heard and able to be themselves.
Our anti-bullying culture is proactive and student-led, with student leadership teams playing an important role in shaping positive sixth form environments across every site. Students are encouraged to contribute to the culture of their sixth form, support one another and help ensure every member of the community feels welcome and included.
We know that students thrive when they feel a strong sense of belonging, and our pastoral systems are designed to ensure that no student feels overlooked or unsupported.
Supporting a Successful Transition to Sixth Form
Starting sixth form is an exciting step, but it can also feel like a significant transition. That is why every Harris sixth form delivers a comprehensive induction programme designed to help students settle quickly, build confidence and feel fully supported from the start.
Induction activities help students:
- Build positive relationships with staff and peers
- Develop independence and organisation
- Understand the expectations of sixth form study
- Access support networks early
- Feel part of the sixth form community
Students continue to receive guidance throughout Year 12 and Year 13 through tutor programmes, mentoring and regular pastoral support.
Wellbeing Support That Continues Every Day
Pastoral care at Harris is not limited to moments of difficulty - it is woven into daily sixth form life.
Our PSHE and tutor programmes are designed to support students’ wellbeing, personal development and future success. Themes such as equality, respect, healthy relationships, resilience, emotional wellbeing and personal responsibility are explored throughout the sixth form experience.
We recognise that sixth form can bring pressures alongside opportunities, and we work proactively to help students manage challenges confidently and positively.
Students receive support with:
- Managing stress and exam pressure
- Building confidence and resilience
- Time management and organisation
- Developing healthy routines
- Emotional wellbeing and self-care
- Positive relationships and communication
- Balancing academic and personal commitments
Many Harris sixth forms also have student wellbeing teams and peer-led initiatives that help promote positive mental health and encourage students to support one another.
Working with DISCOVER
We work alongside DISCOVER, an NHS-supported wellbeing programme designed specifically for sixth form students aged 16–19. DISCOVER is led by clinical psychologists and provides evidence-based workshops that help young people manage stress, anxiety and low mood.
The programme gives students practical strategies for:
- Coping with stress and worry
- Managing anxiety
- Improving motivation and focus
- Building self-esteem
- Developing healthy coping mechanisms
- Managing sleep and routines
This partnership reflects our commitment to ensuring students have access to high-quality wellbeing support throughout sixth form.
Removing Barriers to Success
We are committed to ensuring that every student can participate fully in sixth form life and access the support they need to thrive.
All Harris sixth forms provide financial support through the bursary programme, helping students with essential costs and ensuring that financial circumstances do not become a barrier to participation, wellbeing or achievement.
Our pastoral teams work closely with students and families to make sure support is accessible, responsive and centred around individual needs.
What do students say?
“The atmosphere is really inclusive - everyone feels welcome.”
“Student leaders really shape the culture of the sixth form.”
“The induction programme made the move into sixth form much less stressful.”
“You feel supported here, academically and personally.”
“Respect is at the heart of every relationship at sixth form.”
“The wellbeing support helped me balance sixth form life much better.”
“Teachers and tutors check in with you regularly and really listen.”
“There’s a strong sense of community here.”
“I became much more confident after joining sixth form.”
“You are encouraged to speak up, get involved and support others.”
“Sixth form feels ambitious but very caring and supportive.”