The most important duty of a school is to keep its students safe physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is from this base that academic growth and enhancement follows. Our students' journey through education will be supported at all stages by the pastoral care model used so successfully by The King's School, Canterbury. Our education aims to challenge students in many different ways, but it is important that we manage their workloads and consider their emotional health and wellbeing: 'stretched not stressed'. This is so important in a truly all-round education.

King's Prep and Senior School opened in Autumn 2022, and Mrs. Carrie Cameron works as Deputy Head for Pastoral Care. Mrs. Cameron has rich experience in the UK and China with many achievements to be proud of.

She leads our team of homeroom teachers and tutors, as well as overseeing our House system together with our learning support and wellbeing provision. It is crucial that all pupils are treated with respect at school and have opportunity to access all areas of the curriculum and co-curriculum. Her aim will be to identify talents and needs, creating the right systems and programmes of care and support. We want all pupils to flourish as individuals and members of the community as 'the best they can possibly be'.

Carrie Cameron · Interview

King's Prep and Senior School offers a truly all-around education with a wide-ranging curriculum which overlaps and blends seamlessly with the co-curriculum, always supported throughout by the highest standards of pastoral care. Thereby, we aim to encourage and inspire all pupils to develop their unlimited potential. Mrs. Cameron will bring her rich experience and passion to KSS. We interviewed Mrs. Cameron, the incoming Deputy Head for Pastoral Care, and specifically invited her to share her thoughts and ideas about education, her understanding about pastoral care.

A / About Carrie Cameron

1 / Why did you choose teaching as your career?

I was born in Scotland and due to my father's career, I was fortunate to live in some interesting places: France, Australia, England and Scotland. I experienced a range of international education systems, which led to me pursuing a career as a teacher.

I undertook an MA Ancient Studies at Glasgow University, Scotland, specialising in Archaeology and Classical Civilisations and completed this in 2001. Following this, I embarked upon a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education (PGCE), also completed at Glasgow University. In addition, I hold General Teaching Council Scotland accreditations in Middle Leadership, Coaching, Mentoring and Facilitation and was selected to undertake the prestigious OLEVI Outstanding Teaching Programme. Currently, I am undertaking the King’s College Wimbledon Senior Leadership programme.

In Scotland, I taught at the forefront of Scottish education for 18 years with my last role in a wonderful Island School where my extensive remit includedresponsibility and development of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), 1+2 Modern Languages Co-ordinator (French and Spanish), Moral Education Co-ordinator and Data Literacy Coach. Prior to this, I worked in East Renfrewshire Council, which is a leading council within the education sector in Scotland. I am always continually developing and refining my teaching practice and have gained extensive experience and knowledge of my sector.

2 / You have lived and worked in the UK previous to coming to China in October 2020. How do you feel about the changes in your professional life?

I loved working in Scotland and the education in the UK is of a very high standard. Coming to China I wanted to bring my love of education and my own international educational experience to the role. The two cultures coming together have been wonderful to witness and I feel very at home in China.

British culture x Chinese mind

3 / What would you say is your best achievement in education?

After 20 years in education, my energy and drive for teaching and delivering a quality education is still the same, if not greater, than when I began my career all those years ago. Each day there are achievements that, when put together, have given me the career I am still so passionate about and proud of - that feels like a true achievement.

There are so many achievements over the years that I am proud of: live international radio shows, being recognised at authority level for being an outstanding practitioner, being voted by my school - staff, pupils and parents – to be recognised as employee of the year in 2019, my S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) development work being recognised by Education Scotland for best practice are a few of my achievements in my long career. 

However, I am hoping my greatest achievements are still to come - at KSS.

B / About Education and Pastoral Care

4 / What in your opinion makes a good international school today?

A good international school today is one that understands the needs of the future international child. We are educating a child in a world where the job they end up doing may not even exist today. That means we need to ensure a breadth and depth of learning that allows for the pupil to become a forward thinking, adaptable and innovative thinker. To enable that, the school itself must be outstanding. This is achieved through excellent teachers, superb facilities leading to opportunities for quality teaching and learning and in an environment that nurtures each pupil to become the best they can be.

Ms. Cameron cultivates creative thinking in students

5 / Pastoral Care plays an important role in British Schools. Could you explain what is meant by pastoral care? Why it is important? How to implement it in the School?

Pastoral care is so important to guarantee that our young people have the emotional support to ensure their health and wellbeing is catered for so that they can go on to achieve academic excellence. We want our pupils to feel safe and happy at school, thereby creating the most productive atmosphere for learning. Pastoral care should therefore be at the heart of our school, and we achieve this by developing rigorous pastoral systems. Clear expectations, celebrating success and cultivating a growth mindset will allow us to create a whole school ethos that centres around the pupils’ health and wellbeing.

6 / What qualities does a school need and does a teacher need to show good pastoral care?

School must be a safe place that allows children to make mistakes and grow and learn from them. With an effective pastoral system in place it allows a school to foster an atmosphere that is conducive for learning and promotes tolerance, resilience, fairness and equal opportunities for all. Patience, a nurturing attitudeand being a good listener are the key qualities a teacher needs to support excellent pastoral care delivery. Children need to be heard and seen as this allows a child to grow in an environment that supports them in their educational journey.

Ms. Cameron records student ideas

7 / Why do you personally want to focus on pastoral care?

This is my focus as I truly believe that if children are happy and their mental health and wellbeing is supported effectively then they are in the right place to excel in their academics. I enjoy fostering relationships with pupils and parents, something I look forward to establishing at KSS.

C / About KSS

8 / Why are you choosing to come to Shenzhen from Hangzhou? What are your expectations for working in KSS? 

Shenzhen is a relatively young city that is at the beginning of its journey just like KSS and to be able to grow together is very exciting.  Finding the right school in the right city is wonderful and we are very excited to be joining KSS. I look forward to getting to know all the pupils, families and colleagues in the state-of-the-art facilities that is going to provide a world class education.

9 / What do you understand to be KSS's approach to education?

KSS is determined to be innovative, to strive for excellence, to be forward thinking, a nurturing environment and offer a holistic education. This will enable us to educate the future leaders of tomorrow. It is an exciting opportunity for us all.