Senior Pastoral
Strategies for Pastoral Care
By
May 10, 2007 - 1:41:03 AM

1. Induction of new pupils

An induction course of one day is held every year in June for pupils entering the School in Year 7 in September. The Deputy Head (Academic) is responsible for organising this. In addition the House Parents of the Old Vicarage invite all new boarding parents and their children to a barbeque in early June and a tour of the boarding house. All parents of pupils entering Year 7 are invited in June for an information evening, a coffee morning and tours of the School.

Pupils entering into Years 8-11 are, wherever possible, invited to spend a day in School, and if feasible new boarders are encouraged to spend a night in the appropriate boarding house.

New pupils are allocated a specific pupil to look after them in the first few weeks. This will be someone who is in their Tutor Group, and wherever possible someone who will be in the same sets. It is the responsibility of the Heads of School to organise and monitor this.

2. Tutor Groups

At the start of Year 7 all pupils are placed in a tutor group of c.18 pupils. Allocation of pupils takes into account existing friendships and social mix. It is to be decided over the course of this year whether pupils will change Tutors at the end of Year 7 or remain with their Tutor until the end of Year 9. Pupils are allocated a new Tutor for Years 10 and 11.

The Sixth Form are given some degree of choice in their Tutor, under the guidance of the Head of Sixth.

The Tutor meets the Tutor Group twice daily for registration (mornings only for the Sixth Form) and in Years 7 ‑ 11 for a weekly Tutor Period where the P.S.E. syllabus is taught.

The Tutor must hold a 1:1 meeting with each of their tutees every term where targets are to be set and discussed. These meetings and targets are to be logged in the School Organisers. The Heads of School are responsible for monitoring the 1:1 interview programmes.

3. Liaison with parents

Formal communication with parents on pupils’ progress takes place routinely at Parents' Evenings every year and through the Half Term Grade Cards and the end of term reports. Any matters causing concern during the term can be communicated by letter or telephone at any time. The Heads of School and the Deputy Head (Academic) must be informed prior to any contact being made with parents on an academic matter, and the Deputy Head (Pastoral) if it is a pastoral matter. The School encourages frequent formal and informal contact with parents.

4. Opportunities for personal development

There are many opportunities for pupils in all years to develop leadership and organisational skills through holding positions of responsibility in Houses both sporting and boarding, charity events, extra curricular activities etc.

The School Council gives the opportunity for Year representatives to contribute to the organisation and life of the School and to participate in democratic decision making.

The School Catering Committee, chaired by the School Nursing Sister, encourages pupil participation.

Sue Marklew Deputy Head (Pastoral)