Pastoral

SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural)

Spiritual

Seven Kings is a school made up of many faiths and no faith, but all students are encouraged to be curious of their own spiritual development as well as showing interest and respect for others. We have 2 Spaces in the school that students and staff are encouraged to use for quiet prayer and reflection and we celebrate different events as a community . All members of our community are respectful and tolerant of others and embrace this diversity.

We encourage students to be active participants in their school community through sharing the expectations of Behaviour for Community and encouraging all students to support one another in celebrating, challenging and connecting through culture and diversity. Our recent Social Action Project focusing on South Asian History and led by our student leadership team was an excellent example of the vibrant and memorable experiences of our young people’s leadership and collaboration; it also highlighted the huge social conscience of our community.

Lessons are planned inside and outside of the classroom to create inquiry and curiosity of the world, to create memorable moments and powerful feelings that leave a mark and to reflect on what moves, inspires and motivates us. We do assess and encourage students to go beyond the taught curriculum, to develop a love of learning and to become active, socially responsible citizens.

In lessons, pupils reflect on the awe and wonder of the world around them.
Ofsted 2018

Morals

These experiences in turn support students in reflecting on their own morals, of what is right and wrong both morally and legally. Our CPSHE and RSHE curriculum from Early Years to Year 13 encourages all of our learners to ask questions about the world around them, through a local, national and international lens. Our Watch Your Language initiative has been not only successful but has enabled students to call out language which is derogatory.

Our Reflection process encourages students to rethink their behaviour but also the impact their behaviour has had on others. Our CPSHE programme supports this thinking and exploration to nurture compassionate and empathetic citizens. We also work closely with the Safer School Police Team to support work in the community. In Year 5 and 6 our primary students take part in a junior citizens event where they learn about being active members of the community.

Social

Friendship embodies all we do at Seven Kings. It is the first word in our motto because positive relationships are at the heart of a child’s development. From a very young age, we seek to connect with others, particularly with those with similar interests or shared experiences. There are so many ways having a good network of friends can positively impact a child as they grow and learn, aside from the obvious benefits of having someone to laugh with! As an all through school, students have a clear sense of belonging and community, supported by stay and play in Early Years to bespoke days for Years 7 and 12 in September with a focus on social skills.

Student elections and hustings provide an opportunity for students to engage in decision making and democratic processes. Social development includes a respect for individual liberty and the law. We prepare students for a positive life in modern Britain, both through our curriculum offer and learning opportunities in and out of the classroom, in London and beyond. Students participate and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities and have an appreciation of cultural influences that shape their lives and the lives of others.

Cultural

The range of subjects offered throughout the school and our students’ final subjects and destinations reflects the passion and quality of teaching, but also our young people’s curiosity to take on opportunities. Their art demonstrates an awe and wonder in not only their own worlds but those shaped and created by others.

This curriculum supports their challenge of history but a deep respect for society and diversity. Recent student voice has demonstrated how students are able to make deep connections across Key Stages in the arts, DT, PE as well as the humanities. Our students are encouraged to celebrate the diversity of the community and we are a Rights Respecting School.

Pupils benefit greatly from a wide range of provision for their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. In lessons, pupils reflect on the awe and wonder of the world around them. This provision, together with the strong relationships between pupils and staff, contributes to an exceptional environment in which all pupils thrive.
Ofsted 2018

 

Attendance and Punctuality

Student voice tells us that Seven Kings students enjoy coming to school, they feel safe, challenged and cared for.

Seven Kings across both primary and secondary are amongst the highest 10% of schools nationally for achieving high attendance rates when compared against similar schools and all schools.

Just 13% of those who put Seven Kings School as their first choice secondary school secured a place for their child this September. There were 388 parents who picked it as their first choice, and only 51 were successful. Having chosen to send your child to Seven Kings we expect all families to meet our high expectations and aim for full attendance. Most of our children attend school on time, every day and thus we achieve the results we do, ensuring our young people go on to their first choice destination.

What are the risks of missing a day of school?

Every moment in school counts, and days missed add up quickly. For example, a child in Year 10 who is absent for three days over a half term could miss 15 lessons in total. The higher a pupil’s attendance, the more they are likely to learn and the better they are likely to perform in exams and formal assessments.

Data from 2019 shows that 84% of Key Stage 2 pupils who had 100% attendance achieved the expected standard, compared to 40% of pupils who were persistently absent across the key stage.

What if my child needs to miss school?

Parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure that your child gets a full time-education. Usually, that means going into school from the age of 5 to 16. There are only a small number of circumstances where missing a school day is permitted. Your child must attend every day that the school is open, unless:

  • Your child is too ill to attend
  • You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on a specific day due to exceptional circumstances
  • Your child cannot go to school on a specific day because they are observing a religious event (only 3 days per year are permitted for religious observance)
  • Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it’s not available or has not been provided yet

Punctuality

Like attendance it is important that your child attends school on time and ready to learn. Students who arrive late to school not only miss out on their learning but disturb the learning of others. Arriving just 10 minutes late for school every day adds up to a total of 32.5 hours of learning lost over the course of a year. Support your child by ensuring that they are at school on time and ready to learn.

We all have times when life is difficult and when this happens, we ask you to talk to us by contacting Ms K Dari, Attendance Office k.dari@sevenkings.school

For further information see the schools attendance policy that can be found here:

Behaviour

At Seven Kings we have high standards for behaviour and use a restorative approach to supporting our students with their behaviour. Prior to students joining, whether it be in Reception, Year 7 or Year 12, we get to know our families and we encourage them to get to know us. We know that children make mistakes and we encourage our students at all stages of their education to take risks. The same applies to the way we support children with their behaviour and they are supported to understand the impact that their actions have on others. Our restorative approach to behaviour is reflected in our culture of coaching and building relationships and on the rare occasion when things do go wrong, students are asked three questions:

  • What happened?
  • Who has been affected/How did that make them feel?
  • What would you do differently next time?

This approach allows children and young people to reflect on their behaviour and learn from their mistakes. Support for the young person is then personalised so that this behaviour is not repeated.

We have a zero tolerance for bullying or harassment of others. Our Watch Your Language initiative in 2021/2022 was introduced to support the ethos of the school being respectful, tolerant and accepting of all. This includes but is not exclusive of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or faith. We encourage children to call out derogatory language and action is taken to address this should it occur. We are also a Rights Respecting School and were credited with the Silver award in 2023.

Please see below links to the following documentation

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. We are humbled at the faith our parents and carers have in us to nurture their children and keep them safe. Safeguarding is the important process that we as a school have in place to ensure our school is a safe place, where our children can feel comfortable to talk about any issues they’re dealing with.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals make sure their approach is

child-centred. This means that they consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.

Ofsted tells us they believe Seven Kings is an exceptional environment in which all pupils thrive.

We believe this is because we have robust systems in place with various levels of support in school and beyond. However, the greatest difference is because our young people talk to us, we build strong relationships with young people and their families to prevent issues from getting bigger.

Links to our Safeguarding Policy and the Keeping Children Safe In Education 2023 (KCSIE) Document can be located via the links below. We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding Policy. Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare or safety.

Our Safeguarding Team

Attendance

Attendance is key to children succeeding at school. If we can support you in any way in raising these expectations then do let us know. We urge you not to take holidays during or at the end or start of term times. As an all through school, time missed from learning early on will have an impact at the end of Year 13. We work closely with EWASS, the Education Welfare Advisory Support Service, who like us are committed to the principles of improving outcomes for children and young people. If you need support in getting your child to school and in to school on time please contact k.dari@sevenkings.school

Year Teams

Our pastoral leaders are here to support both children and adults with both their learning and pastoral care. Should you have any concerns relating to your child or if you would like to share any information about your child please do contact your child’s Year Group Leader, Year Leader or Deputy Year Leader via the school office and they will be able to offer support, advice and guidance as well as celebrating any successes.

Medical Teams

Our medical teams are here to support children and young people when they are feeling unwell or may need medical assistance. If your child has a Health Care Plan and they require additional support in school please do notify a member of the team.

Learning Mentors

At Seven Kings we believe that talk is key to children being successful. Some children and young people find it difficult to talk about themselves, their feelings or share information

about themselves with others. We have a team of mentors that work across both the primary and secondary campuses that support our learners find their voice and have their voice heard. The mentors are referred to as trusted adults in school that will support children both pastorally and academically.

School Counsellors

We have two counsellors that work with some of our most vulnerable young people. Both are British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited.

External Support for Parents

There are a number of organisations that can support parents and carer and the External support for parents booklet provides links to external organisations that will be able to offer support and guidance.

Prevent Statement

On 1st July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities and schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

At Seven Kings we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of our community. We recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society; everyone should be treated with respect, acceptance and tolerance whatever their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special need, or disability.

Operation Encompass and Safer Schools Police

Operation Encompass is a project that has been designed to provide early reporting to schools by the police of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of normal school hours and that might have had an impact on a child attending school. Our safeguard team will be able to use information that has been shared in order to support the child on their return to school by completing welfare checks and ensure that we can make appropriate provision for possible difficulties experienced by children or their families. Information will be shared where it is identified that a child or young person was present, witnessed or was involved in a domestic abuse incident.

We also have a designated safer schools police officer who works with the school to ensure that all members of our community are safe.

Online Safety

The internet and related technologies, including mobile phones, games consoles and social networks are becoming increasingly important in the daily lives of our children and have many positive benefits. They can be used both educationally and socially and are becoming part of a child’s identity. Socially our children often use the internet for entertainment, interaction, and communication with ‘friends’. Access to the internet can take place anywhere and at any time so we need to make sure our children are able to use the internet safely. Many children are unaware of the risks – for example by having many online friends (who could be strangers), uploading inappropriate images, viewing unsuitable content or sharing too much personal information. Please see the link below for more information on how to support your child and guides for support for parents and carers.

Online Safety Advice for Parents

Pastoral Support

Children learn best when they feel safe, happy and valued and that is what lies at the heart of all that we do at Seven Kings School. We believe that the greater the degree of connectedness between staff and student, the more likely students are to experience a sense of belonging. The first word of our motto ‘Friendship’ is at the cornerstone of everything we do.

Values matter.We aim to create a safe and happy environment in which students feel valued and respected and respect and value each other. We promote a sense of reflection and accountability for one’s own behaviour through our reflection forms.

Our students value having very clear guidelines of the behaviour we expect from them and are encouraged to treat others as they would wish to be treated.

Primary Campus

On our primary campus the main supportive adult is the Class Teacher. They are also supported by their Year Group Leader and a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Secondary Campus

On the secondary campus the Form Tutor is the person of central importance in the life of any single student, offering support as well as making themselves available to respond when necessary. They are also supported by a Year Leader and Deputy Year Leader. Each year group also is supported by a member of the senior leadership team.

Across both Primary and Secondary Campus

We currently employ 6 Learning Mentors who work to support students across both primary and secondary to build confidence and relationships, to develop resilience and character and raise aspirations.

We have two qualified School Counsellors employed by the school and have close links with a range of external agencies.

We are also a Mental Health Support Team Partnership School. The MHST provides evidence based support for students in need. Activities which promote a whole school approach to wellbeing as well as advice and support for our school.

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead is Mr Robinson (Assistant Headteacher).

Of course, our students' well-being and happiness relies on a strong partnership with parents so that we can work together to support our children in achieving their success. We welcome and encourage good communication links with school.