Bereavement Policy

Introduction and Background:

From time to time every school is touched by the death of a student, member of staff or an extended family member. Individuals and families react to bereavement in their own very unique ways. The trauma of bereavement can have a profound effect on the school community. So it is important for a school to reflect upon an appropriate response to bereavement and to develop flexible contingency plans that reflect how the School could or should respond in a tragic situation.

When a death occurs:

The Headmaster, and in his absence the Deputy Head, will be the primary point of contact with a family when a death has occurred. The Headmaster may consult and seek the assistance of the Chaplain, School Counsellor, Health Centre staff and other members of the pastoral staff in supporting the bereaved.

The Headmaster will gather factual information regarding the death and will consult with the family regarding their wishes in sharing the information with the School community. It is important that factual information is shared in a timely manner so that assumptions and rumour are not spread, as they can only add to the family's distress. It is essential that all staff are informed straight away, ideally before pupils. Pupils should be told as soon as possible. This is best done in familiar groups by someone they know. Staff will need to have guidance on words to use and approach to take. Staff are encouraged to seek to identify pupils who may be particularly vulnerable or likely to experience PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). For example, someone who may have witnessed the death may require special attention.

The death of a student:

In the case of the death of a student appropriate pastoral support should be provided for the whole school community. The SMT, Chaplain, School Counsellor, Health Centre and other pastoral staff should be deployed appropriately to provide counselling and comfort. This may include pastoral support being available at designated areas and times during the School day. A book of remembrance should be set up in an appropriate location where the bereaved can come to express their grief and loss. Services of remembrance may be offered at various times. Support for staff who are directly involved with grieving students is important and staff should have the opportunity to meet in the common room at the end of the School day, to provide an opportunity to share feelings and reactions. The Headmaster will determine the appropriate period of time for these pastoral supports to continue. If the press are involved in reporting on the death, the Headmaster will consult with the Marketing Manager regarding an official statement on behalf of the School.

In general it is best to have a minimum of disruption to the School timetable. The structure and regularity of the School day is important to maintain, but some flexibility may be required. If a pupil is too upset to attend lessons, they should be excused to go to the Health Centre.

The death of a member of staff:

In the case of the death of a member of staff, appropriate pastoral support should be provided for the whole school community. The SMT, Chaplain, School Counsellor, Health Centre and other pastoral staff should be deployed appropriately to provide counselling and comfort. This may include pastoral support being available at designated areas and times during the School day. A book of remembrance should be set up in an appropriate location where the bereaved can come to express their grief and loss. Services of remembrance may be offered at various times. Special support including appropriate cover may be needed for staff who worked in the same department or who were particularly close to the deceased. The Headmaster will determine the appropriate period of time for these pastoral supports to continue. If the press are involved in reporting on the death, the Headmaster will consult with the Marketing Manager regarding an official statement on behalf of the School.

In general it is best to have a minimum of disruption to the School timetable. The structure and regularity of the School day is important to maintain, but some flexibility may be required. Great sensitivity and care will need to be taken in determining how lessons will be covered immediately following the death.

Funeral Procedure :

When a funeral has been planned for the deceased, it is essential that the School is sensitive to the family’s culture and abides by the family’s wishes. The family may welcome involvement of members of the School community but equally, may wish to keep the funeral private. The Headmaster, in consultation with SMT, will identify which staff and pupils may want to attend and the practicalities of issues such as staff cover and transport. The Headmaster will also consult with staff and pupils in determining what is appropriate in terms of sending flowers, a collection and/or any further more permanent remembrance.

Boarding Bereavement :

In the case of the death of a student in the boarding community appropriate pastoral support should be provided for the whole school community. The SMT, Boarding Staff, Chaplain, School Counsellor, Health Centre and other pastoral staff should be deployed appropriately to provide counselling and comfort. This may include pastoral support being available at designated areas and times during the School day and throughout the rest of the day and at night. At an appropriate time the boarding community should be brought together for a time of remembrance to be planed and conducted by the Chaplain and members of the Boarding staff. A book of remembrance should be set up in the appropriate boarding house where the bereaved can come to express their grief and loss. Support for Boarding staff who are directly involved with grieving students is important and staff should have the opportunity to meet at designated times to share feelings and reactions. The Headmaster, in consultation with the Boarding Management team, will determine the appropriate period of time for these pastoral supports to continue. If the press are involved in reporting on the death the Headmaster will consult with the Boarding Management team and the Marketing Manager to prepare an official statement on behalf of the School. The Marketing Manager who will then liaise with the appropriate press.

In general it is best to have a minimum of disruption to the boarding routine. The structure and regularity of meals, free-time and study are important to maintain, but some flexibility may be required.

The Headmaster and Head of Boarding will take primary responsibility in consulting with the police and emergency personnel in determining the most appropriate and timely method of informing the local guardians and parents. In the case of foreign boarders they will consult with the local guardian regarding the details of local funeral arrangements. They will also consult with the family and the Chaplain regarding an appropriate Memorial Service to be held for the School community.

The death of a family member of a student:

In the case of the death of a family member of a student, if the death happens while the child is at School, a representative for the family, preferably a parent should come to the School to inform the child. In some circumstances it may be necessary for the Chaplain, Head of Year and Tutor to give the death notification. Before notifying fellow pupils, the School should speak with the bereaved student’s family to determine what information should be given to classmates. Classmates should be informed how the bereaved classmate wants to talk about what has happened (i.e. speak openly and take initiative, or let the bereaved student decide when to talk about the death.)

The Head of Year and Tutor should consult with the bereaved student’s family to determine what is appropriate in terms of classmates attending the funeral and/or sending flowers. Following the death of a family member it can be expected that the bereaved student may have a reduced capacity for school work. The bereaved student may need extra help at a later time, when working capacity becomes normal again.

The death of a student or member of staff while at school or on a school trip:

Should the death of a student or staff member occur during the School day or on a school trip the Headmaster will quickly assembly an emergency management team. The first priorities will be to offer support to students and staff who may have witnessed the death and to inform the family of the deceased. The Deputy Head and the emergency management team will deal immediately with issues at the School including contact with accident and emergency personnel, organising support and counselling for the school community and communicating information to the School community as appropriate. The Headmaster will consult with the police and emergency personnel in determining the most appropriate and timely method of informing the immediate family of the death.