Pastoral Support

“It is Great to be a Hitchin Boy”

The Pastoral Department works under one simple aim: to create and foster the conditions in which it is “Great to be a Hitchin Boy" We want a Hitchin Boy to journey through this school such that he arrives at the end of Year 11 or Year 13 knowing who he is and knowing how to live wisely in a complex world. Each Hitchin boy should feel that the fullness of his identity can be celebrated and discovered in all its uniqueness. 

At the centre of the Pastoral Department are three tenets: Courage, Compassion and Community.

Courage

Courage is choosing difficult problems and risking making mistakes. Courage is taking responsibility for your actions and holding yourself accountable for them. Courage is standing up for what is right and good, even in the face of adversity.

Compassion

We teach each boy that compassion goes far beyond simply showing concern for others. Compassion is feeling deeply for another person and providing help and support whenever and however possible. This means we are a “telling school”; we reject the notion of “snitches” and firmly teach each boy that the compassionate thing to doin any situation with peers is seek adult intervention - an intervention grounded in our values.

Community

We build a community in which it is evident that there are countless ways to express masculinity, and we aim to foster healthy understandings of what it means to be a man. We reject limiting stereotypes of the masculine, particularly those characterised by disrespect, aggression and arrogance. As such, we embrace a culture that celebrates diversity, creativity, and freedom of expression.

Heads of Year co-ordinate the work of form tutors and report to the relevant Head of Key Stage where needed. The form group is also the basis for much academic teaching in earlier years of the school as well as for sporting activities.