Safeguarding & Wellbeing

Our Health and Wellbeing Centre provides round the clock healthcare as well as offering first aid, emotional support and an advice service. The School Doctor holds surgeries onsite for our Boarders each week and works closely with the Pastoral Team to assist pupils dealing with specific medical or pastoral issues.

Pupils with specific healthcare needs have an individual Health Care Plan which helps staff to provide a high level of care appropriate to each child. Healthcare staff will always contact parents if a pupil is admitted to the Health Centre and will work with external healthcare services if needed.

Our excellent School Counsellor works in school three days a week and timetables sessions to fit in with a pupil’s academic and extra-curricular commitments. While the School Counsellor may work with the Lead Healthcare Professional when a pupil feels this would be helpful, they can choose to keep the content of their counselling sessions confidential from school staff if they prefer. Any information that needs to be shared for safeguarding reasons will always be handled sensitively and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Over 30 members of the staff body are trained as Youth Mental Health First Aiders. Boarding Staff and Heads of Year are experienced in supporting pastoral and mental health needs and will liaise with the Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral) to ensure a robust approach.

We also have Pastoral Champions, Senior School children voted by their peers and teachers as designated pastoral support pupils. They are trained to support their peers in collaboration with school staff to assist those who are struggling to access the support available. In the Prep Department, similar systems are underpinned by teacher-input.

Our fabulous dining facilities host daily meals for Boarders, day pupils and staff who eat together at breakfast, lunch and supper. Our chefs use high quality produce, locally sourced where possible, and recipes from around the world. Specific dietary needs are incorporated, allowing those with allergies or bespoke diets to eat comfortably alongside their peers without emphasis on their requirements.

Malvern St James School holds the Gold award for the Healthier Choices Scheme. The gold level standard acknowledges the commitment to offering freshly prepared food which includes a range of fruit and vegetables, providing healthier options within the menu and achieving excellent food hygiene and safety standards, including the food allergen requirements.

At MSJ we believe that a healthy mind is supported by a healthy body. Sports staff and Pastoral staff work together to ensure that all students find a way to complement their academic and social programmes with physical activity. We teach them about their changing bodies through PSHEEC and ensure that they know their bodies and can utilise them effectively.

Food and Nutrition lessons sit alongside academic PE and Biology lessons to provide pupils with the knowledge to understand the links between health and wellbeing and their own responsibilities to pursue holistic wellbeing.

Regular communication is maintained through emails, phone calls and parent-teacher meetings. The School also provides updates via newsletters and an online portal where parents can access all School communications and track their child’s progress and wellbeing.

Parents are encouraged to contact MSJ’s pastoral care team, their daughter’s Head of Year of her House Mistress immediately if they have any concerns. The School is committed to addressing any issues promptly and effectively.

The school has a dedicated Health Centre with trained medical staff. Pupils with specific health needs have individualised care plans, and staff are trained to manage various health conditions and emergencies.

The school provides a variety of healthy meal options catering to different dietary needs and preferences. Food is locally sourced and cooked onsite with a focus on nutritional value and excellent taste.

The school offers a wide range of recreational activities, including sports, arts, music and clubs. These activities are designed to help pupils relax, have fun and develop new skills.

Yes, MSJ encourages all pupils to participate in community service projects, which help develop empathy, social responsibility and a sense of community.

New pupils are welcomed through orientation programmes, buddy systems and various activities designed to help them settle in and make friends quickly.

The School provides emotional support through peer support and regular communication with family. If needed, counselling is available too. Activities and a supportive environment also help alleviate homesickness.