Good Schools Guide
Our Tutorial System
At the heart of our wellbeing approach is a dedicated Form Tutor to know every child. Working with small form groups, tutors are able to offer meaningful one-to-one support and build a deep understanding of each individual learner. This enables us to tailor teaching, support and interventions effectively for each pupil.
Across each section of the school, Heads of Year lead and coordinate pastoral care, ensuring continuity and smooth transition from Pre-Prep through to Senior School and beyond. Our strong personal knowledge of pupils is supported by year-on-year validated tracking of attitudes to self and school. Our pupils, compared with national data, demonstrate an outstanding sense of wellbeing, confidence in their capabilities, readiness for learning, self-worth and a strong work ethic. We also place high value on pupil voice, through regular School Council representation and active participation in departmental reviews.
Young Leadership and Mentoring
At Barrow Hills, pupils begin developing leadership skills early, for example through representation on the School Council. As they move through the school, every pupil has the opportunity to take on a leadership role, particularly in the formative Upper Prep years.
Our Upper Prep curriculum and experiences prepare pupils for life beyond Barrow Hills, developing not only academic strength but also essential soft skills such as collaboration and the foundations of entrepreneurship.
Pupils apply for a wide range of roles, including Head Boy or Head Girl, Head of House, and captaincies across areas such as sport, drama, art, literacy, science and Pre-Prep. Many also serve as Peer Mentors or Wellbeing Ambassadors, supporting younger pupils.
Strong vertical relationships are a hallmark of school life. Children of different ages often play together, reflected in our most recent external review, where 100% of pupils reported that they feel entirely safe – with space to breathe, belong and grow.
Enrichment opportunities
Enrichment groups in sport, art and drama, alongside academic enrichment interventions, help the children prepare for scholarships, as well as extending their interests and love of learning.
Developing resilience and independent learning skills is a key focus at Barrow Hills. Children are encouraged to read widely, listen to podcasts and talks, and practise effective revision strategies taught within lessons. All pupils have timetabled guided library sessions. Study skills workshops and drop-in support sessions help pupils consolidate learning and build confidence.
At Barrow Hills, we also recognise the importance of developing pupils’ practical skills in Years 7 and 8. Through our Upper Prep Enterprise Project, the children learn about working as a part of a team, how to develop their problem-solving skills and how to manage money. This now runs alongside future facing studies such as our TEDS curriculum (Technology, Engineering Design and Sustainability).
Across all these initiatives we lay the groundwork for children to travel onwards with skill and confidence, thinking deeply, listening well and achieving their very best.
Our teaching incorporates the best of academic and creative practice and is delivered using state of the art technology.
The intersection of technology and education has never been more critical than in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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