Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
In addition to weaving pastoral care throughout the school day, we also teach it explicitly through our PSHE curriculum. In Primary School, we use the ‘Jigsaw’ programme, which places mindfulness at its core and is designed to help students build emotional resilience, self-awareness, and essential life skills. When students feel emotionally secure, know how to express their needs, and trust that those needs will be met, they are happy at school and well-positioned to learn and succeed.
Last school year, for example, our Primary Student Council suggested that some Well-Being Days in non-uniform could support their sense of bien-être. In early February, students enjoyed a Pyjama Day, arriving at school in their pyjamas to share books, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy cookies together creating a relaxed, comforting atmosphere.
Each Primary class also collaborates on creating its own “Class Charter” at the start of the academic year, based on shared values. These charters provide a positive focus for each class and remind our students that their wellbeing, both individually and as part of a group, is an important priority. This practice supports our students in developing emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness, and kindness toward themselves and others.
Homeroom teachers serve as the first point of contact and first point of reference for pastoral care. Students are encouraged to speak openly about any concerns, and when appropriate, teachers address these through focused class activities. At La Côte International School, our teachers go beyond academic instruction—they also guide students in building healthy life skills, including conflict resolution, empathy, and appreciating others’ points of view.
Code of Conduct
Our Primary Student Council worked alongside teachers to create a RESPECT code of conduct, which the entire Primary School community embraces. Involving students in the development of the code helps everyone to feel invested and proud to follow their code.
- Responsibility
- Empathy
- Smile
- Patience
- Equality
- Collaboration
- Trust
These rules give our teaching staff and students an invaluable reference point for communication and conflict resolution. Our Primary School assemblies are often themed around one of our RESPECT values.
Positive Behaviour Policy
To empower our students and create a learning environment that is good for everyone, we adopt a positive behaviour policy. This means that, rather than taking punitive action, we have a reward and recognition approach to behaviour management. Our House Points system is a core part of this policy, linked to our Personal Learning Goals and RESPECT rules.
Our four school houses—Montreux, Rhône, Simplon, and Savoie—bring together students from different forms and year groups, helping to cultivate a strong sense of belonging to the wider school community. Being part of a House also offers opportunities for cross-year group mentoring, teamwork, competitions and leadership opportunities.
Students can earn House Points for positive behaviour, effort, and achievement across all areas of school life—not just during House events. This can be excellent motivation towards friendly competitiveness that is good for everyone.
A Cornerstone of School Culture
Pastoral care at La Côte International School is a cornerstone of our school culture, from the Early Years Foundation Stage, through Primary and all the way to the end of the International Baccalaureate in year thirteen. Through thoughtful programmes in Primary like Jigsaw PSHE, student-led initiatives, value-based teaching, and a strong sense of community, we nurture the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally, right from the start. Our positive, inclusive approach ensures that students feel supported and empowered as they grow into happy, confident, compassionate individuals, ready to engage with learning and life beyond school.
