PASTORAL CARE

 Three members of staff have pastoral responsibility for specific year groups.  They also organise Personal and Social Education (PSE) Focus Days for Years 7 to 11.  Aided by their team of Form Tutors they are responsible for the day-to-day care of the pupils and for dealing with both academic and pastoral issues through the mentoring and monitoring of progress and achievement.

 Parents are encouraged to contact the appropriate Learning Mentor or Form Tutor if problems arise.  This may be done by telephoning the school or by letter.

Mrs J Lloyd Learning Mentor Year 11

Mr J Thacker Learning Mentor Years 9/10

Mrs H Critchley Learning Mentor Years 7/8

CAREERS ADVICE

Learning Mentors co-ordinate advice on careers, employment, Further Education and Business Enterprise.  Careers work begins in the Lower School and is an integral part of the whole school PSE/Citizenship programme.  There is a close liaison between the school and Connexions (careers service).

 An Adviser from Connexions is a regular visitor to the school and holds individual interviews, lunchtime clinics and attends Progress Evenings.  In their last year at school all 11^th Year pupils take part in a Work Experience programme.

PUPIL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

 The Pupil Support Department exists to cater for pupils with special educational needs.  These needs may be many and varied or specific in nature.  The school follows the 2002 Code of Practice.

 Pupils’ needs vary and will often call for different approaches.  We strive to cater for the individual and to create the most appropriate learning environment for that pupil.  Teaching is done in small withdrawal groups, individually or by supporting pupils in the classroom in various areas of the curriculum.

 In certain circumstances a pupil may have his/her special educational needs written down in a formal statement if extra resources are required, such as ancillary help in the classroom or extra teaching time.  The underlying principle is that pupils should follow the normal timetable as much as possible.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND WORSHIP

We are not affiliated to any particular church or denomination but we try to build positive links with the various local religious groups.  Religious Education is provided for all pupils and is taught in accordance with the terms of the 1988 Education Reform Act.  The main emphasis of our teaching is Christian, but we take account of the teachings and practices of other major world religions.  We want to help pupils understand what religion is about and how belief can affect their lives.

 Any parent has the right to ask for their child to be excused from taking part in Religious Education lessons or the collective act of worship.  Before this is done, we ask parents to talk to us and consider the implications of such withdrawal.

SEX EDUCATION

 Sex Education forms part of a much broader personal and social education course and our pupils need support from teachers in order to make sense of the information they receive.

 The content of the lessons examines issues appropriate to the age level of the pupils and has due regard for moral considerations and the value of family life.  Sex Education is not restricted to the Personal Social Education course as there are areas of the curriculum where it forms part of syllabuses.

REPORTS AND PROGRESS

 All pupils receive one written report during the year and attend a Parents’ Consultation.  Parents will be notified of dates and how an appointments system is operated.

 When necessary an individual pupil’s progress may be discussed with parents at other times and parents may also request an Interim Report.  The school encourages close links with home and parents may request an appointment to see a Form Tutor or Learning Mentor by telephoning the school.

 An Information Evening in the Spring Term for parents of pupils in Year 9 gives an up-to-date picture of GCSE courses to parents/pupils before choices are made in the Summer Term.

 Parents of Year 11 pupils can obtain information about Further Education provision at the Year 11 Parents’ Consultation in January.  At this event, representatives from Further Education and Connexions are in attendance.  Parents’ Consultations commence at 4.00 pm.