PASTORAL CARE

“Students’ personal development is outstanding. The school’s good approaches to care, guidance and support play an important part in this.” (Ofsted Report 2008 - full report available here)

The school has a well established and clear system of pastoral care designed to encourage positive attitudes to work and learning; our pupils work happily, co-operatively and in a purposeful way to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable. Structures and procedures have been developed which will encourage all students to fulfil their potential, promoting positive attitudes to learning within a caring and supportive environment. We believe that no child can learn successfuly when worried or unhappy. We therefore aim to provide a calm, ordered and caring environment in which learning can take place and in which the pupils feel valued members of the school community.

The system of Pastoral Care at Beaumont aims:

• to ensure that all pupils make a smooth and successful transition from their previous schools
• to enable pupils to feel happy, safe and secure at school
• to work closely with parents to provide maximum support for their children
• to ensure that the school ethos and atmosphere allow pupils to make the most of all opportunities, study and learn effectively, use their abilities and develop their skills
• to assist pupils to develop self-awareness, self-confidence and self-reliance
• top make pupils aware of themselves as memebrs of both local and international communities, whether at home, at school, at work or at leisure and to encourage them to develop a sense of responsibility towards the needs of others
• to enable pupils to make informed choices and decisions about their future lives.

We aim through the school’s ethos, curriculum and activities to help all pupils to

• develop as a whole person
• enhance their confidence, self awareness, self-esteem and sense of individual purpose
• develop personal moral values and positive attitudes, and acquire knowledge, skills and understanding, for life and work
• think independently, rationally and creatively and to enquire and question constructively
• be inspired towards a life long enthusiasm for further learning
• apply themselves to tasks, working alone and with others
• gain an understanding of the world in which we live and a concern for the environment
• appreciate human achievements and aspirations
• become co-operating and contributing members of school and society, prepared to take and accept responsibility
• develop sensitivity, respect and tolerance towards others
• benefit from and contribute to the development of equal opportunities
• be happy at school and to succeed to the best of their abilities, academically, spiritually and physically

Form Tutors and Year Teams

During their time in school, pupils are in the overall care of form tutors and Heads of Year. Each pupil becomes part of a form group in Year 7, a form with which they will remain throughout their school career until they reach Sixth form. They will spend their first year in the care of a specialist Year 7 tutor and Head of Year 7.

Their increasing maturity is marked by a change of form tutor in Year 8 and Year 10, and again in the sixth form. From Year 8 onwards it is usual for the Head of Year to remain with the Year group through to Year 11. Form tutors and Heads of Year thus get to know pupils as individuals and are able to advise and guide them at each stage of their school career.

Pupils meet with their form tutor for a daily registration or assembly. There is also a weekly Tutor Period in which a range of activities are carried out to support their well being and learning. These may include whole year assemblies, peer mentoring, private study and structured class discussion. Form tutors, Heads of Year and Pastoral Assistant Mrs Rickman are also readily available during the school day to assist pupils when problems or queries arise.

Click here to see a list of the current form tutors. Pastoral Leaders for 2011-2012 are as follows:

In the Sixth Form students are placed in vertical tutor groups, retaining the same tutor throughout their courses. The tutors work closely with the students providing assistance and guidance where needed.

All teaching staff are members of Year Teams, either as for tutors or as attached staff. Year teams meet regularly through the year to discuss pastoral issues. The work of the Year teams is overseen by Mr C Cross (Assistant Headteacher).

Members of the Leadership Team maintain a pastoral overview of the behaviour and learning of pupils, with one member of the Leadership Team linked specifically to each year group.

Liaison

We work closely with parents and encourage you to contact the school as soon as a problem arises. In most instances intital contact should be made via your child's form tutor. Consultation takes place both at evenings organised for each year group and at other times, by arrangement, whenever it is appropriate or necessary. Meetings with teachers can be arranged very rapidly and telephone discussions can usually take place on the day a contact is made. Parents are welcome at Beaumont but we do request that you make an appointment if you would lke a meeting with a member of the pastoral team or a specific teacher. Further information is available on the Home School Partnership page of the website.

The school also provides additional support for individual pupils through such mechanisms as peer and academic mentoring, whilst also working with external agencies including Links Education Support Centre and Youth Connexions.

The Head of Pastoral Care Mr C Cross is available to discuss matters of a pastoral nature and offer support and guidance to pupils, parents/carers, and to support and coordinate the work of members of the pastoral staff. Mr Cross is also the Designated Senior Person with responsibility for Child Protection and Safeguarding Children.

Pupil Achievement

Pupil achievement is recognised in a variety of ways throughout the year. For day to day achievements in class work and homework, teachers and tutors issue credits; certificates are awarded to pupils on being awarded multiples of 25 credits. Each term, subject teachers are also able to nominate students who have made a particular impression in either attainment or effort and these are recognised by ways of certificates presented at Assemblies. Pastoral leaders, Heads of Department, and the Headteacher also nominate students for Silver and Gold Awards for making a significant contribution to school or community life. Individual departments also run systems of reward and recognition; eg postcards home, colours and Player and Improved Player of the Year in sports activities. In this way, achievement, progress, and making a contribution are seen to be valued and at the heart of school life.  They are also within the reach of every pupil and encourage each to give of their best.

We expect to reward:

• good or improved school work
• good or improved behaviour
• positive effort
• excellent attendance
• commitment to extra-curricular activities
• contribution to Inter-Form events, charity activities etc
• contribution to the positive ethos of the school eg care shown for others