Page 17 - Pastoral Guide 2025-2026

Pupil Voice
Pupil Thrive, LGBTQ+ and Black Students Union
Pupil leadership and pupil voice are key aspects of College culture at Malvern. The School Council and Lower School Council meet regularly with Heads of Year and pupils are encouraged to apply to represent their year groups. House Councils also meet regularly to focus on House life and to suggest improvements and to discuss ideas.
The comprehensive annual Pastoral Survey allows all pupils’ voices to be heard. The results are analysed and acted on by various bodies, such as the Senior Leadership Team, HouseMs, Staff Thrive and Pupil Thrive.
Pupil Thrive is a group that meets regularly with senior College staff to discuss a wide range of issues. Pupils from all year groups are very welcome and this is an excellent opportunity for service and leadership. Pupil-led groups are strongly supported. Pupil leadership is crucial in generating a culture of respect which is grounded in
the Malvern qualities of kindness, open- mindedness and self-awareness. We nurture a ‘speak up culture’ where all members of the community are comfortable to raise issues and to discuss them.
Discussions were particularly active in 2020 following the Black Lives Matter protests, and the launch of the Everyone’s Invited website, both of which hit national headlines and had significant ramifications for schools. Following extensive discussions at Pupil Thrive, pupils and staff worked together to make structural and cultural changes, such as the formation of the Black Students Union and Empower Their Voice, changes to the Life Skills programme, training for staff and pupils, and discussions with pupils about sanctions to name but a few.
These have been significant issues which have affected all schools in the UK, and they were
a focus of our successful ISI inspection in October 2021. We have been helped by the very positive relationships that exist between pupils and staff, and our desire to work together to continually improve the culture of the College. Pupil leadership is crucial in generating a culture of respect which is grounded in the Malvern qualities of kindness, open-mindedness and self-awareness. Staff and parents are important role models, and all members of the community play their part in generating a tolerant and respectful culture of which we can be proud.
PASTORAL GUIDE TO MALVERN COLLEGE
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