Pastoral Care
Here at Adcote School our pastoral care and support are excellent. We pride ourselves on being one large family and there is always someone to talk to. On arrival at the school, all girls in Year 9 and above are assigned a personal tutor. In the Prep School the form coordinator fulfils this role. This person will be the primary contact for the girls and their parents. Formal meetings are held every term between girls and their tutor, to discuss progress in both academic and pastoral matters. Boarders can also turn to any member of the House staff team to help with any problems.
Each area of the school has a Head of Section (Prep, Senior and Sixth Form). We also have a Head of Student Services and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, for specific learning support and a counsellor comes to school each week if the girls wish to speak to someone from outside of school. Our Prefect team also run the ‘Student Voice.’ This is a forum where girls can seek help from a ‘big sister’ – often a vital link in any pastoral system.
Student Wellbeing
We have a whole school approach to supporting our students’ mental health through our CLEAR Learning Programme. Resilience is particularly important. We teach our students to cope with change, adversity and overcoming barriers and enable them to feel more confident.
We offer programmes in mindfulness and wellbeing, which can reduce stress and anxiety, as well as focusing on positive thinking techniques. This also leads to a more positive outlook and benefits academic work. We have a full time medical officer who helps with all health issues, including signposting to external support organisations (E.g BEAM) when further support is needed.
Learning Support
Our teachers support and guide students in their academic journey by delivering top quality teaching. We are also equipped to give additional help and support when required. Short courses are offered as boosters to students, which sit alongside normal lessons. This additional support, as well as small class sizes, ensures that all students get the tailored education that they need to succeed.
Student support is assessed on an individual basis and reviewed accordingly. If your child has an existing Special Educational Need (SEN), we would like to discuss this prior to admission. We can plan what level of support is put into place to care for your child. We have dyslexia specialists and a team of Learning Support Assistants who offer provision in small groups and on a 1:1 basis. Our head of learning support (SENDCO) is Annabel Jacobs.
If your child has an Educational Healthcare plan (EHCP), please mention this during the admission process, as it is vital that provision is planned carefully in advance of registration.
Students identified with a specific learning difference may receive a personalised Individual Learning Plan (ILP), developed in collaboration with our Learning Support Department. Targeted tuition can also be provided alongside the student’s regular timetable to support their educational progress.
For more information about how we support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) during the admissions process, please contact us at admissions@adcoteschool.co.uk
Athena Programme
The Athena Society at Adcote School is our academic enrichment programme for students in Years 7–13, designed to extend intellectual curiosity and broaden awareness of future pathways. The society offers opportunities for girls to engage with inspirational female professionals and academics through talks, workshops, and discussions.
Over the past year, we’ve welcomed a wide range of guest speakers representing diverse and aspirational career paths, including:
- STEM and Research – DNA profiling researcher and Army Officer Training Corps member discussed scientific careers and fieldwork opportunities abroad.
- Law and Business –a former corporate lawyer and university lecturer, explored routes into law and how to develop persuasive communication skills.
- Health and Medicine – a midwife and workforce lead for the NHS, and also an Adcote Alumni, founder of the NGO Lafiya Nigeria, shared insights into healthcare leadership and global humanitarian work.
- Psychology and Sport Science – Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, talked about her work with elite athletes and performance psychology.
- Creative Industries – BAFTA-nominated Head of Animation at the Royal College of Art, offered a fascinating look into animation and the wider creative sector.
- Education and Academia – Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Staffordshire University, led a session on body image research and academic career paths.
- Public Service and Policing – gave an inspiring talk on policing, community engagement, and routes into the force.
- Engineering and Safety Management – a Health & Safety professional from a major UK port, discussed high-level logistics, radiation protection, and explosives security.
- Finance and Languages – an Adcote alumna currently at UCL and soon to undertake a placement at Goldman Sachs, shared how studying languages can open global business opportunities.
- Research and Fundraising – Head of Trusts at the University of Liverpool, discussed securing research funding and working within the university sector.
Through these sessions, Athena members have developed confidence in questioning, debating, and thinking critically about global, ethical, and professional issues. The programme continues to evolve, inspiring our students to aim high and explore ambitious career aspirations.
