Andy has worked with young people in many settings. He was previously an outdoor instructor, teaching a number of activities including sailing, climbing and teamwork to young people. This provided an excellent method for building resilience and overcoming wellbeing issues, alongside additional support. After this Andy worked within two residential colleges for students aged 16 plus, as a pastoral warden, overseeing the wellbeing, support and behaviour of students. He then moved to the Dover area and worked at Kent County Council (KCC), encouraging and motivating students in education, before working with students struggling in school to attain education, employment or training, to ensure their futures. Andy then moved to working with families to ensure school attendance, as an Education Welfare officer, before working at Dover Christ Church Academy where he was the Director of Student Welfare. During his time there he built a successful team of staff that were able to look after every aspect of the student from safeguarding through to behaviour and wellbeing.

His aims at The Duke of York’s Royal Military school include building on the good practice of the staff to ensure student needs are fully met, linking the school to the community and ensuring students receive a well-rounded and holistic education to provide them with the ability and resilience to enter and thrive in the world of adulthood, whilst taking the best Dukie qualities with them.

The School has a depth and breadth of skills and knowledge when it comes to welfare and safeguarding, which is utilized and shared across the boarding houses, by the house teams led by Andy, to support our students. The staff of the Medical Centre, SENCo department and our RSM also take a keen interest in the wellbeing of our students and offer a high level of support. In addition, Andy works closely with partnership agencies from the Kent area to ensure the correct approach is always taken for our students.  

^{Mr Andy Agar
Head of Student Welfare and Designated Safeguarding Lead}