Pastoral Care
At RGS Istanbul, pastoral care sits at the heart of school life. We believe students thrive when they feel safe, known and supported, and this belief underpins everything we do. As we prepare to open our doors in September 2026, we are building a community where pastoral care is not a standalone system; it is a shared responsibility across the whole school, shaping how we support students academically, socially and emotionally.
Our approach focuses on the individual child. By building strong relationships and clear structures of support, we ensure every student develops a sense of belonging and feels confident coming to school each day.
Pre-Prep: Nurturing the Foundations
In our Pre-Prep (Early Years to Year 2), pastoral care is focused on providing a secure, ‘home away from home’ environment. We recognise that consistency is the most important factor in a young child’s emotional development.
- The 48 Week Advantage: By remaining open for 48 weeks a year, we provide Pre-Prep students with a stable routine. This eliminates the anxiety and learning loss often caused by long periods away from school.
- The Extended Day Rhythm: Our day is unhurried. By extending the schedule, we remove the “rush” of a typical school day, allowing time for family-style dining, social etiquette, and emotional check-ins.
Transition Support: We will provide bespoke settling in periods for our founding families, to ensure that the first steps into school life are joyful and as stress free as possible for both child and parent.
Pastoral Care in the Prep School (Years 3 to 8)
In our Prep School, pastoral care focuses on nurturing independence and resilience. As students transition from the Class Teacher model, in the lower years, to the Subject Specialist model in Year 7 and 8, their Form Tutor remains the constant anchor. We focus on building the social and emotional skills needed for the transition to senior education, ensuring every child feels capable and heard.
Pastoral Care in the Senior School & 6th Form
As students progress into the senior years (Year 9–13), pastoral support will become more targeted. Alongside their tutor, students will receive focused academic guidance to support IGCSE and A-Level preparation, subject choices and future university pathways.
This balanced approach ensures that academic ambition is matched with strong emotional support. Our Sixth Formers will also benefit from a Young Professional pastoral model, emphasising self regulation, leadership and mental health awareness as they prepare for life after school.
The Form Tutor Relationship
Every student at RGS Istanbul will have a Form Tutor who plays a central role in their school experience. This role is rooted in the long standing British educational tradition of personal tutoring, ensuring that each student is known as an individual within a busy school environment.
The Form Tutor will be the first point of contact for students and parents and will work closely with pastoral leaders, the Heads of School and the Headmaster to support each child’s wellbeing and progress. Daily ‘Form Time’ will provide a consistent start to the day, allowing tutors to check in with students and provide guidance on organisation, routines, and expectations.
The House System
The House System will be the heartbeat of school life at RGS Istanbul. From the moment they join our founding cohort, every student will belong to a House, providing them with a strong sense of identity and belonging.
- Vertical Integration: Houses create bonds that span year groups, allowing younger Prep students to be mentored by Senior leaders.
- Friendly Rivalry: Through House events, competitions, and charity initiatives, students will build teamwork and pride in collective achievement.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
At RGS Istanbul PSHE will play a vital role in supporting students’ personal development, and will provide a structured framework through which students learn about:
- Digital Wellbeing: Navigating the online world with ethics and safety.
- Mental Health: Developing tools for resilience and self care.
Social Responsibility: Understanding their role as global citizens in Istanbul and beyond.
Medical & Safeguarding Support
The physical and emotional safety of our students is our absolute priority.
- Full Time Medical Care: A qualified school nurse will be on campus to support students’ health and welfare.
- Counselling Support: We will offer access to professional counselling for students who need additional emotional guidance.
- Safeguarding: Rigorous safeguarding protocols will underpin all aspects of life at RGS Istanbul, ensuring that every student is safe, supported and listened to at all times.
Join the Founding Journey
Admissions for 2026
Our Admissions Team is here to guide you through the journey of becoming a Founding Family.