Sound teacher-pupil relationships are the bedrock, on which the social, emotional, personal and moral aspects of a pupil’s overall development will flourish. It is through the establishment of relationships of this kind, against a background of teacher care and support, that a school creates an ethos, in which pupil self- confidence and self – acceptance flourish. In this way, the child’s progress towards social, emotional, personal and moral maturity is likely to be enhanced. Consequently this school, through the quality of care and support, which it will afford its pupils, will place relationship building at the very heart of its Pastoral Care provision. Opportunities will be sought both in formal and informal school settings to initiate and nurture sound and durable bonds between teacher and student.
Pastoral Care Structure
- The Pastoral Care System is co-ordinated by a senior teacher (Mr P McMeekin).
- Each class group has a Form Teacher and each year group has a Year Head.
- Most Form Teachers will be with the same form group for five years.
Role of the Form Teacher
- To monitor attendance, punctuality, wearing of school uniform and overall classroom behaviour.
- To check absentee notes.
- To identify pupils in need of extra support.
- To counsel pupils in form class.
- To foster loyalty, good class spirit and mutually respectful relationships.
- To encourage effective learning.
Role of Year Head
- To lead a team of Form Teachers and provide support as required.
- To help ensure standards of behaviour within the year group are in accordance with the Behaviour Policy.
- To maintain an oversight of the Attendance, Academic Progress and Personal Development of each individual in the year group.
- Liaise with and contact parents as appropriate on matters of Academic Progress, Conduct and general welfare of pupils.
Counselling
A counselling system in which pupils are encouraged to confront problems and to work out solutions for themselves, has been set up in the school.
The system is two-tiered in structure. The basic counselling network involves all Form Teachers being given one non-contact period per week in which they withdraw members of their form group for the purpose of interviewing/counselling them on a one-to-one basis. In the course of a year the Form Teacher/counseller will talk to each of his form group at least once.
The Second Tier of Counselling has been set up in response to the inevitable existence in any school population of pupils with problems of a more serious nature. It is at this level of the school’s counselling system that, when appropriate, outside agencies such as Social Services, Education Welfare Services and the Educational Psychological services may be involved.
Personal and Social Education
The pastoral curriculum provides learning experiences which relate to the child’s welfare and contribute to his personal and social development. In the case of years 8 – 12 the form teacher has a Tutor period, in which PSE is taught.
It should give the child the opportunity to acquire concepts, learn facts, practise skills and develop attitudes which will
• promote all round development of the person
• empower pupils to become effective learners
• help them become responsible adults
Parents
An important element of the Pastoral Care system is partnership with parents, whom the school recognizes as the most important educators of their children. To this end regular contact, both formal and informal, with parents is promoted throughout the child’s school career.
Parents’ Responsibilities
To have their son present, on time every day, in correct uniform with all necessary equipment to allow for teaching and learning.
- To inform the school of the reason for a boy’s absence.
- To contact the school regarding any matter of concern.
- To inform the school of any circumstances which might impinge on their son’s welfare.
- To keep pre-arranged meetings. To inform the school of any changes of telephone numbers or home address.