Pastoral Care at Knightswood Secondary School
At Knightswood Secondary, every young person is supported to feel safe, respected, included, and valued. Our Pastoral Care Team works closely with pupils, families, and staff across the school to ensure that each learner is known as an individual and is given the guidance and encouragement needed to thrive.
We use a restorative approach to relationships and behaviour. This means that when challenges arise, our focus is on understanding what happened, rebuilding trust, and finding positive ways forward, rather than simply assigning blame or punishment. We believe that through reflection and dialogue, young people learn responsibility, empathy, and resilience.
Pastoral Care at Knightswood is guided by the SHANARRI wellbeing principles from Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC). These ensure that all our pupils are:
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Safe – protected from harm and supported to make responsible choices
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Healthy – encouraged to look after their physical and emotional wellbeing
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Achieving – motivated to reach their potential in all areas of learning
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Nurtured – cared for within a positive and respectful school community
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Active – given opportunities to participate and contribute
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Respected – listened to and involved in decisions that affect them
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Responsible – supported to take ownership of their actions and progress
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Included – valued for who they are and what they bring to the school
Our school operates a House System which helps foster belonging and community spirit. Each pupil is part of a house — creating smaller, supportive networks within our large school. Every house has a Pastoral Care Principal Teacher who works alongside guidance staff, year heads, and support assistants to monitor progress, celebrate success, and offer help whenever it’s needed.
Pupils can speak to their Pastoral Care Teacher at any time if they have worries about learning, friendships, attendance, or wellbeing. We also work closely with our Support for Learning team, Educational Psychologist, and partner agencies to make sure the right help is in place for every young person.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that every pupil feels known, supported, and empowered to succeed, both in and beyond school.
