Learning and Support

APPENDIX

LEARNING AND SUPPORT

The school’s student services are concerned with the welfare of pupils, their physical and social development and their academic progress.

The main aims of our student services are:

i.To ensure a supportive and safe learning environment

ii.To recognise and reward the achievements of all

iii.To co-ordinate pupils’ personal social and academic development

iv.To facilitate the development of good relationships based on mutual trust and respect

v.To ensure that each pupil knows and is known by a particular member of staff

vi.To ensure that an efficient, flexible and relevant record keeping system is in operation

vii.To offer guidance and counselling thus helping our pupils make their own decisions

viii.To support subject teaching

ix.To ensure maximum involvement of parents and external agencies where appropriate

x.To help each child make the fullest use of talents and personality

To monitor academic progress, set targets for improvement and development

The majority of staff have a role within the pastoral system. The key figures are:

The Form Tutor

The form tutor plays a vital role. It is their role to get to know the children in this tutor group and establish good relationships so that pupils can share their problems with them in confidence. (see Job Description - Appendix (7).

Learning Leader

The Learning Leader is responsible for all the pupils in a particular year group. Some year groups have two Learning Leaders, others have a single Learning Leader, but will have access to a non teaching pastoral support assistant. Responsibilities of Learning Leaders include monitoring attendance and punctuality, behaviour and academic progress. The key role of the Learning Leader for each year group will be to monitor the academic progress of children in the year group and set up suitable programmes or targets to remediate problems. The Learning Leader has an important role to play within the school’s referral system. Where possible the Learning Leaders remain with their year group as they progress through the school (see Job Description - Appendix (7).

Pastoral Support Assistants

The school has employed a number of non-teaching members of staff who support the work of the Learning Leaders. Similarly they will help ensure the social welfare and academic progress of pupils. (see Job Description – Appendix 7)

Senior Staff

Student Services will be overseen by a Deputy Headteacher, who will line-manage each Head of Key Stage. It is the responsibility of the Heads of Key Stages to co-ordinate the work of Learning Leaders and form tutors, to deal with serious disciplinary and welfare cases and to take the lead in the formulation and implementation of pastoral policy.

The current structure is as follows:

Deputy HeadteachersRebecca Collins

Gaynor Bell

Key Stage 2/3 LeaderStephen Hodnett

14 – 19 LeaderJonathan Davies

Head of Sixth FormDarryn Havard

Support Centre

The school has created a specific facility to support pupils experiencing difficulties. The centre is staffed by a combination of teaching and non-teaching staff and offers a range of individual or group support programmes in issues such as behaviour modification, dealing with bullying, coping with emotional problems, anger management etc.

The manager of the centre also supports individuals and groups of pupils in lessons. Support Centre Manager – Jackie Allen

Staff Handbook 2007-2008