Pastoral Care at Gordonstoun Prep - Leading UK Boarding School

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Sector Leading Pastoral Care

Prep

Whatever the issue, whatever the time

Gordonstoun feels like a big, international family. If you speak to our pupils, they will tell you that Gordonstoun is a home from home.

Over 500 young people live at Gordonstoun, in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment. And our pastoral staff are here for every one of them, whatever the issue, whatever the time.

 
“The pastoral care and friendliness of the staff gives the children confidence to ask for help in the knowledge they will be supported.”

- Current parent

Prep Houseparent, Jess Noakes, lives within the boarding house with her partner, their son and their dogs. Together with the Assistant House Parent, Matrons and Prep School Assistants they provide the highest level of care.

Day pupils receive excellent pastoral care too. A Day Pupils’ Coordinator being an important liaison between the school and home. Form Teachers are another important parental link, overseeing each child’s development and reporting on progress. 

An additional layer of support is provided by a counsellor and emotional guidance coach, when the need arises.

Jess Noakes with family and pets

“The positive, caring, family ethos of Gordonstoun promotes a sense of trust, respect and kindness for all…resulting in sector-leading pastoral care.”

- HM Inspectors

 

 

Prep School Supporters

Head of Prep, Cath Lyall

HEAD OF PREP

Cath Lyall
Bio


A graduate of Glasgow University, Cath has 20 years of junior school teaching experience and worked in private and state education before joining Gordonstoun. Her career has also seen her involved in sports coaching and drama direction as well as working within support for learning.

Cath has been part of the Gordonstoun community for over fifteen years, initially supporting her husband as Housemaster of Duffus House, before joining the Prep School as a class teacher and, in 2020, being promoted to Assistant Head Pastoral.

She and her husband Andrew have two children; one who is now an OG and one that is a current student.
Assistant Head Pastoral, Emily Warren

ASSISTANT HEAD PASTORAL

Emily Warren
Bio

Emily has been teaching for over 25 years and has held leadership roles in prep schools for the last 15 years.

As a pastoral specialist, she loves to see children thrive over the course of their prep school journey. Here at Gordonstoun Prep School, she has served as Assistant Head Pastoral since 2021 and is also a Year 8 form tutor, teaching English and ISC.

She is married to Martin (Assistant Head Boarding in the Senior School) and is a parent to an OG and a current Windmill Lodge student.
Chris Morgan, Assistant Head Curriculum

ASSISTANT HEAD CURRICULUM

Chris Morgan
Bio


Christopher has taught in the state and independent sectors, in the UK and abroad, as a specialist mathematics teacher. He was Assistant Head Academic at Repton Al Barsha in Dubai, leading the school's academic attainment to outstanding levels.

Following this, he was founding Deputy Head at Phoenix House Prep in Tokyo. Chris is a qualified rugby coach, a fluent Welsh speaker, and a passionate follower of music and art.
Prep School House Parent, Jess Noakes

PREP SCHOOL HOUSE PARENT

Jess Noakes
Bio

Jess is our Prep School Houseparent. She has been at Gordonstoun for just over a year.

Jessica qualified as a primary teacher in 2018, whilst working in Northamptonshire. She has always been involved in the broader education at prep schools and particularly boarding.

In previous roles she has coordinated co-curricular after school clubs and ran a boy’s boarding house.
Laura Aiken, Prep School Assistant

PREP SCHOOL ASSISTANT

Laura Aiken
Bio

Laura is our Prep School Assistant. Laura is a graduate of University of the Highlands and Islands with a degree in sport and fitness and has specialist coaching qualifications in Hockey and Shinty - both of which she has played to a district level.

Laura has worked with children of all ages and backgrounds during summer camps in East Dunbartonshire and when travelling with the Girl Guides.

Laura has been working at Gordonstoun for two years, within the boarding houses, sports coaching, assisting teachers in the classroom, arranging fun activities for our boarders, accompanying fixtures and helping with drama events.

When not working, Laura can be found dog walking around campus with a camera.
Rachael Wareing, Healthcare Centre Manager

HEALTHCARE CENTRE MANAGER

Rachael Wareing
Bio


Rachael is our Healthcare Centre Manager and Nurse Practitioner. Rachael’s qualifications include a BSc Hons in Nursing, BSc Hons in Health and Social Care, BSc Health Promotion, Registered Sick Children’s Nurse (RSCN) and she also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) and a Diploma in Asthma.

Rachael’s career started as a Paediatric Nurse within various medical, hospital and community settings. Specialising in respiratory management, life support and palliative care, both in the UK and Internationally. Rachael has worked for the National Health Service (NHS), private health sector, case management and expert witness sector.

Passionate about care for young people, Rachael is an avid innovator in the healthcare centre and always goes the extra mile for those that need her.

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A CARING,
FAMILY
ETHOS

Exceptional levels of pastoral care

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