Pastoral Care

The College has a long tradition of commitment to pastoral care and places great emphasis on the moral and social welfare and the development of our pupils.

Through our pastoral care, we nurture all aspects of our pupils’ intellectual, physical, mental and cultural needs by creating a safe, supportive, and caring environment. This enables them to thrive and realise their full potential.

There is a close working relationship between the academic structure of the College and the members of staff involved in pastoral care as we believe that effective pupil support is dependent on the contribution of all members of staff. There is a Vice-Principal responsible for pastoral care together with a Head of Pastoral Care and a team of teaching staff involved in the Pastoral and Form System. A school nurse is on site to assist with pupils’ medical issues.

Approximately 55 tutor groups meet each morning providing staff and pupils with the opportunity to establish a relationship which allows tutors to:

Gauge the general welfare and demeanour of our young people

Show interest in their progress

Offer guidance and encouragement

Build a sense of community within the College

Coming to Methody has made me feel like I've joined a really big family. I love it here.

zaha imam, junior school pupil

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Safeguarding Team

Mrs A Kennedy

Head of Pastoral Care. Designated Teacher

Mrs A Logan

Vice Principal, Pastoral. Deputy Designated Teacher

Mrs M Cooney

Deputy Head of Pastoral Care, Middle School, Deputy Designated Teacher

Mrs H Parker

Deputy Head of Pastoral Care, Senior School, Deputy Designated Teacher

Mrs K Steenson

Deputy Head of Pastoral Care, Junior School, Learning Support Mentor

Mrs J Marrs

Learning Support Co-ordinator

Please find below a summary of safeguarding information which is shared annually. If you have any safeguarding queries, please contact Mrs Alison Kennedy, Head of Pastoral Care & Designated Teacher.

Child Protection Information 2024 - 2025

Pastoral and Form Teams

School Nurse

The Medical Room is open from 8.45am – 3pm each day and is staffed by the school nurse, Sister Eileen Carleton, or in her absence, Mrs Helen Minford. It offers basic medical support for pupils and staff who take ill during the school day, from the provision of first aid to the distribution of medication and identification of further support and is the first point of contact for accidents and emergencies throughout the school. The nurse has a proactive role in the safeguarding team and liaises closely with pastoral staff as well as contacting parents where appropriate. Part of her role is to ensure that medical records, including the concussion register, are updated, to complete accident reports, to maintain first aid equipment throughout the estate and to order medical equipment and supplies.

Chaplaincy

Founded by the Methodist Church in 1865. The College is a non-denominational, co-educational grammar school, where pupils of all faiths and non are welcomed into a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

Chaplaincy takes the lead in promoting and developing the spiritual life and ethos of the College, in collaboration with the College’s Board of Governors and leadership team.

The spiritual life of the College is most evidently seen in assemblies and other communal activities, but the College ethos permeates all aspects of school life and all relationships within the College.

The Chaplaincy is the most visible sign of the College’s commitment to a spiritual dimension to education and will be a point of reference for students, staff, parents and visitors.

The Chaplaincy supports and develops the spiritual and pastoral life of the College. This is a key function in a large, vibrant and diverse community. It demonstrates tolerance and respect for, and an understanding of, all faith traditions and is available to all members of the College community, regardless of their personal religious or non-religious beliefs.

School Chaplains

Mr. I Gibson

Rev. E Hyland

Family Works Counselling

Counselling in school is provided by FamilyWorks. The counsellor provides confidential one to one sessions with pupils to support them with sensitive issues.

Referral To the School Counsellor

• You can be referred to the counsellor by a teacher or parent

• You can talk to a member of staff in the Pastoral Care Department:

Dr Quinn (Forms 1-3)

Mrs Cooney (Forms 4&5)

Mrs Parker (Forms L6 & U6)

Mrs Kennedy – Head of Pastoral Care

• You can drop a note in the Counselling Post Box, which is situated in A Block, opposite reception

• You can self-refer via Familyworks website by clicking the link below.

Referral Form

Family Works

Tooled UP Education

We aim to provide holistic support to everyone in our school community, in all areas of family life, which is why Methodist College Belfast subscribes to Tooled Up Education. This gives all of our families privileged access to a regularly updated digital library, full of evidence-based tips, simple activities, advice-packed videos and enlightening podcasts, on all matters relating to parenting and family life. Tooled Up Education is curated by one of the UK’s leading experts on parental engagement in children’s lives and learning, Dr Kathy Weston.

Dr Weston is passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-life parenting. As a busy parent herself, she understands that loving parents want to do the ‘right thing’ and that parenting is full of joys, but also many challenges. Our children have a vast educational and life journey ahead of them. It is important that they are ‘Tooled Up;’ equipped psychologically with the resilience required to reach their destinations safely and successfully. Watch this clip to find out how the site works.

Get Access To Tooled Up Now:

Simply click on the link below to set up your own personal account by entering your email address and our Unique School PIN number. [We have sent you a registration email containing your unique school PIN. If you cannot find this, then please either contact either the school office or Tooled Up Education on 0203 951 8828 or support@tooledupeducation.com]

Create my Tooled Up Account

Once you have created your account, you will have immediate access to the entire library of research-based resources, which will help you to support your child in their journey into early adulthood and beyond.

As A ‘Tooled Up’ Parent, You Will:

● Feel more supported on your parenting journey.

● Be able to access evidence-based tips that can help your child to thrive and reach their potential.

● Be able to ask any question and get the answers you need, sourced from the highest quality research evidence.

Tooled Up Is Here For You

Tooled Up is a dynamic library of evidence-based tips; growing in response to parents’ requests for further information. Don’t miss out on Dr Weston’s emails which will keep you updated about new resources and topical issues. When logged into Tooled Up, go to the ‘My Profile’ page and check that you have ticked the box to let her know you are happy to hear from her. We are delighted to be working together with Tooled Up Education to provide this support to you and your family beyond our school gates.

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate in contacting the school office or Tooled Up directly on office@tooledupeducation.com.

Helping your child get 'School Ready'

Newletters

12.09.2023

20.09.2023

27.09.2023

E Safety

Advice for Parents/ Carers

As a parent or carer, you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online and it is very important to have conversations with them about their online activities.

Technology can move at an extraordinarily fast pace, and it can be difficult to know how to start talking to young people about what they are doing online, who they might be speaking to or discussing the potential risks and issues.

Talking regularly with your child is the greatest tool to help keep them safe online. This will help your child feel relaxed and it means when they do have any worries, they are more likely to come and speak to you.

Useful Contacts and Websites

Please click on the link below to access a list of useful contact details for supportive organisations. You may wish to access one of these services if you have a worry or concern about a young person. These contacts have also been shared with our pupils.

Useful Contact Numbers

Childline

Childline helps anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they are going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it is something big or small, their trained counsellors are there to support you.

Childline is free, confidential, and available any time, day or night. You can talk to them:

by calling 0800 1111
by email
through 1-2-1 counsellor chat

Childline

Cruse

Cruse support people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support and information.

Cruse

Parenting NI

Parenting NI is the leading charity for parenting support in Northern Ireland.

Parenting NI

NSPCC

NSPCC supports parents and families in caring for their children.

NSPCC

Eating Disorder NI

The Eating Disorders Association Northern Ireland (EDA NI) is a peer-led charity that delivers support, training, and campaigning services for people with eating disorders/disordered eating, and their loved ones.

Their support services are free, non-judgemental and confidential.

Eating Disorders NI

Barnardo's

Barnard’s supports children, young people and families by addressing their health, wellbeing and safety needs.

Banardo's

Lifeline

Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline which supports people who are in distress or despair. Calls are free and it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lifeline

Aware

AWARE delivers mental health and well-being programmes into communities, and schools. These programmes include a suite of mood matters programmes, living life to the full, metal health first air and mindfulness.

Aware

Young Minds

Young Minds is a charity which support the mental health of children and young people.

Young Minds

Samaritians

Samaritans offer people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. They encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives.

They offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need.

They are not only there for the moment of crisis, but they also take action to prevent crisis.

Samaritians

Minding Your Head

Minding Your Head provides suggestions on looking after your mental health.

Minding Your Head

SWGfL

SWGfL provides information on staying safe and secure while online.

SWGfL

CAMHS

CAMHS Resources have helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support young people, carers and professionals mental health and well-being.

CAMHS

Transgender NI

Transgender NI is a human rights and community organisation for trans and gender diverse people in Northern Ireland. They work to protect and promote the rights and services that communities may need.

Transgender NI

Sail

SAIL is a family gender support organisation. They work with parents and family members who have children, young people or a family member with gender identity issues. They do this by coordinating peer led family support meetings and liaising with statutory, community and voluntary services and service providers to ensure equity of access to services.

Carafriend

Cara-Friend is an organisation dedicated to supporting, empowering, educating and offering friendship to everyone in the LGBT Community.

Carafriend

Helplines NI

Helplines NI brings together over 35 helplines operating across Northern Ireland. The Helplines provide a variety of support services, including information, advice, counselling, listening ear and befriending.

Many of the services take place over the phone and some provide support via email, text and web-chat. The Helplines provide information, support and advice on a vast range of issues, including: debt; mental health; parenting, unemployment bereavement; substance abuse; and housing.

Helplines NI