Each child’s wellbeing is the most important part of their life at Fettes Prep and we treat our boarders and day pupils in exactly the same way and take the utmost care in looking after them all. We want your child to learn in a happy, safe environment, where they are supported throughout their journey within the Fettes Prep family: at the heart of this is the role of the tutor.
The Form Tutor is the first point of contact for parents and pupils and will be a real champion for each of their tutees, keeping a watchful eye and offering valuable advice on all areas of school life: academics; activities; sport; relationships; developing resilience; and personal organisation to name just a few. Indeed, the tutor will get to know your child very well, not only through daily registration sessions and weekly tutor meetings but around the school, both in and out of the classroom. Parental access to tutors operates on an open door basis and contact is very often by email in the first instance but, equally, can be in person, especially at morning drop-off times. We see establishing and maintaining the triangle between children, parents and school as key to helping the all-round development of the young people in our care.
There are very positive relationships between staff and pupils and genuine care is taken by the older pupils in looking after younger ones. Visitors often comment on the “happy atmosphere” which is combined with purposeful endeavour and complemented by a sense of fun and camaraderie.
The Care Inspectorate noted in their recent inspection: “The Preparatory School in particular was impressively nurturing and child-centred”.
We are proud of our pastoral care and the school is small enough that members of staff really do get to know every pupil and are on hand to help with any issues that arise There is always a trusted adult nearby to whom a child can turn. The boarders are looked after by the dedicated houseparents and other resident staff, and all the pupils benefit from the medical care of our own team of matrons as well as, if needs be, the College Medical Centre.
We have a Pastoral Leadership Team which monitors and develops our practices and policies; oversees the work of the tutors; and helps shape and support the various messages delivered to the children through tutor times, PSHE lessons, assemblies, talks by visitors and our weekly Chapel services. Periodically we offer advice to parents, too, either by email or in the form of meetings on topics such as internet safety; any such meetings are led by specialists in the field.
Our staff sit with children during meal times to ensure that each pupil has a balanced meal. The catering team provides a wide range of delicious, healthy and exciting food throughout each day, as well as fruit and snacks at break times. The pupils’ Food Committee puts forward suggestions and this group, along with the Pupil Council, gives our children the opportunity to take responsibility; this is supplemented in their final year when all of our pupils take part in leadership training and take a turn in being prefects.