Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Outstanding pastoral care is the heart and soul of SPGS International School Chengdu. We recognise the unique qualities of every child and it is our top priority that each student in our school is happy and confident.

The first thing you notice when you enter our school is the sense of welcome and friendliness. With a maximum capacity of only around 600 international students, our emphasis is on being one big family, where everyone knows and takes care of each other.

As part of this, student wellbeing, a supportive environment and positive mental health are key elements of the education we offer. It is our firm belief that children who are happy and self-assured perform better in all activities.

At Junior level, your child’s class teacher is the focal point for your child’s wellbeing and pastoral care. They are responsible for ensuring all children receive a genuinely holistic education and for tracking not just their academic successes but also their social and cultural integration. Class teachers keep parents regularly informed on their child’s progress and are available for an informal chat if you would like further information. Children also have regular access to other pastoral staff including school counsellors and child experts.

At Senior stage, children are assigned to a small tutor group and these are the main forum for delivery of pastoral care and the PSHE curriculum. Tutor groups meet on an almost daily basis and provide a warm and positive environment for students to share ideas, questions and any issues. Your child’s tutor is the first point of contact if you would like to talk more about your child’s progress.

Settling in

New students (from Year 1 up) are paired with an older ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ to help them settle in during those early days. For those in the Early Years, each child has a key person assigned to them and we work extensively with families to ensure that children’s transition to school is as seamless as possible. Starting a new school is a significant change for students at any age and particularly in the international community, where children often move around more frequently. Our staff are extremely experienced in working with new students and quickly making them feel at home in our community.

School Houses

In keeping with the tradition and culture of British schools, all students (from Year 1 up) are assigned to a ‘house’. Your child’s house becomes an essential part of their school experience; houses help build friendships across age groups and also help generate healthy competition. Each house has their own identity and culture and students help shape the ethos and essence of their particular community.