Our philosophy for pastoral care at The Dean Academy is simple: our students should be happy, feel safe and be supported to embrace all that life has to offer. We pride ourselves on our ability to work together to ensure that challenges are overcome and that students feel empowered to make a positive difference. By providing a supportive network of trusted adults, we aim to foster in all students a willingness to see themselves as part of a community, whatever that role or responsibility might involve. We also recognise that students need to feel safe and secure and, as such, our aim is to work together within school to give all students the tools to create bright futures.

At the centre of school, students are able to access support and find a listening ear in the Student Support Centre. Members of the pastoral team are trained to deal with a wide variety of issues and have access to a huge range of external support, as and when needed. Within the Student Support Centre, students are offered help and support with issues from organisation in Year 7 to coping with exam stress in Year 11. The team in Student Support are available to all students, and will assess each problem on a case-by-case basis. Support is offered through restorative conversations and involves the development of key personal, social and reflective approaches.