At Clayesmore, the well-being of our boarders is central to everything we do. We provide a warm, structured environment where pupils feel known, valued, and supported—academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. Our pastoral system is built around strong relationships, consistent routines, and round-the-clock care.
A Dedicated Pastoral Team
Every boarder is supported by a close-knit team of adults who live and work within their boarding houses. These staff members form the backbone of pastoral life at Clayesmore, ensuring that each pupil feels secure, heard, and encouraged to thrive.
Houseparents
Our Houseparents live on-site and lead the day-to-day life of each House. They are responsible for the pastoral care and welfare of every pupil in their care. Houseparents shape the ethos and spirit of their Houses and are deeply involved in all aspects of boarding life.
Devine House Houseparents
Mr Cedric Didier & Mrs Jo Didier
Gate House Houseparents
Mr Ben Pender & Mrs Nicola Pender
Kings House Houseparents
Mrs Pip Tandoh & Mr Leo Tandoh
Manor House Houseparents
Mr Chris Burton & Mrs Holly Burton
Wolverton House Houseparents
Mrs Emma Dorey & Mr Ed Dorey
When not formally on duty (for example, during evening prep and activities), Assistant Houseparents and visiting tutors take over, though Houseparents remain on call. The Head of Boarding is also always available as backup.
Assistant Houseparents
Assistant Houseparents play a vital role in the day-to-day pastoral care of pupils and help ensure continuity of care during evenings and weekends.
Devine House Assistant Houseparent
Mr Charlie Booth (from January 2025)
Gate House Assistant Houseparent
Mr Matthew Duncan
Kings House Assistant Houseparent
Ms Abagael Hyde
Manor House Assistant Houseparent
Mr Robbie Winearls
Wolverton House Assistant Houseparent
Ms Charlotte Crane
The Bower Assistant Houseparent
Mrs Michelle Complin
Visiting Tutors
Our team of visiting tutors support the boarding programme during weekday evenings (typically 17:45–22:45). They provide additional pastoral support, supervise prep and activities, and help ensure each pupil is well looked after during quieter times of the evening.
Matrons
Each House has at least one matron available between 10:00 and 18:00 on weekdays. Matrons are a reassuring presence in the Houses, often acting as the first point of contact for pupils, staff, and parents. They assist with health care, laundry, daily routines, and offer a listening ear.
Devine House Matrons
Mrs Fiona Bourke & Mrs Jacky Watts
Gate House Matron
Mrs Nikki Wingate-Saul
Kings House Matrons
Mrs Maria Roberts & Mrs Gemma Read
Manor House Matron
Mrs Claire Thring
Wolverton House Matrons
Mrs Gill Morris & Mrs Jacky Watts (The Bower)
Health & Wellbeing Centre (HWBC)
Clayesmore’s Health and Wellbeing Centre is open 24 hours a day and provides exceptional medical and emotional care.
Head of Health and Wellbeing
Sister Sam Hillyard
Nurses
Mrs G Hakimzadeh, Mrs E Ryall, Mrs F Hussein
Overnight Matrons
Mrs H Galley, Mrs H Emerson, Mrs S Coughlan
All nurses are fully medically trained, while our matrons hold Paediatric First Aid qualifications. Whether pupils need support for physical health, emotional wellbeing, or just a quiet place to rest, the HWBC is always available.
Mental Health & Emotional Support
We are proactive and open in our approach to emotional well-being. Pupils benefit from:
- Access to in-house counsellors and emotional wellbeing coordinators
- Regular one-to-one check-ins with House staff and tutors
- Quiet, safe spaces to relax and talk
- Support from our School Chaplain, who offers spiritual care and mentoring
Safeguarding
Clayesmore exceeds national safeguarding standards. All staff are thoroughly trained in child protection, and we maintain a vigilant, child-centred approach at all times. Safeguarding is embedded in our culture.
Communication with Families
Strong home–school communication underpins our pastoral care. Parents are regularly updated on their child’s wellbeing and progress through:
- Direct contact with Houseparents
- Academic and pastoral reports from tutors
- Parent–teacher meetings (in person or online)
- Access to medical and pastoral updates when needed
Support for New & International Boarders
Starting boarding, particularly from overseas, can be a big step. We provide a smooth transition through:
- A comprehensive induction programme
- Buddy systems and House introductions
- Cultural support and help with travel or visas
- Staff experienced in caring for pupils from a range of backgrounds
Everyone's Invited
According to the 'Everyone's Invited' website, "rape culture" is when attitudes, behaviours and beliefs in society have the effect of normalising and trivialising sexual violence. This culture includes misogyny, rape jokes, sexual harassment, online sexual abuse (upskirting, non-consensual sharing of intimate photos, cyberflashing), and sexual coercion. When behaviours such as these are normalised this can act as a gateway to more extreme acts such as sexual assault and rape.
At Clayesmore, we take our responsibility for our young people extremely seriously. We have a zero tolerance attitude to any form of sexual misconduct whether through physical or online means. Our Pastoral heads regularly discuss the philosophies of 'Everyone's Invited' and the 'Me Too' social movements with our students to enlighten and empower them about sexual misconduct. We provide platforms for discussion around healthy relationships and awareness of behaviours which are unacceptable.
Young adults should neither be victims nor perpetrators of inappropriate sexual behaviour and at Clayesmore we are transparent and frank about these issues. We encourage open debate coupled with more formal lectures so that every student is well informed and feels they have a voice to express concerns.
It is easy to hide away from a topic which is often hard to discuss but 'rape culture' impacts all sections of society and providing true and effective pastoral care means we can't shy away from difficult issues.
Everyone's Invited
BBC Panorama
Pastoral and Safeguarding Statement
Pastoral
We have pastoral care at the very heart of our school and, whether boarding or day, all children at Clayesmore benefit from our friendly, caring and positive atmosphere.
We are a small enough school that everyone is known as an individual and the supportive environment in our five boarding houses helps to create a strong community spirit. Houseparents, their assistants and matrons know their charges very well indeed and they work together to support students through the challenges of day to day life, helping them develop their own strategies to negotiate the sometimes turbulent teenage years.
Our Health and Wellbeing Centre, our counsellors and our Chaplain are also a central part of our pastoral team, providing physical and emotional support to all who need it. This care is complemented by academic tutors, TLC staff, sports coaches and music teachers
The students’ voice is important to us and the various forums that allow them to express their views (for example, house and school councils and student committees) help to inform our pastoral care.
Safeguarding
Clayesmore School fully recognises our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in our care, and that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Our practice follows the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education and encompasses the following principles:
To protect children from harm
To prevent impairment of children’s health and development
To ensure that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care thus enabling those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully
To treat the interests of our children as paramount
To consider at all times the best interests of the child
Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare, including if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so, should make a referral to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – unless an allegation is against them or another member of staff, when the Head must be informed. In all cases the guidelines laid down by the DfE must be followed. Please also refer to Clayesmore School’s Safeguarding Policy.
Mrs SarahJane Newland
Deputy Head, Pastoral
