“The whole school support systems available to students are excellent”
– Whole School Evaluation Report 2014
Our students are at the centre of our community. Student support and guidance is structured through the well-defined pastoral structure of year heads and class tutors, and through the student support team that comprises of mentors, of the chaplaincy, the learning support department and the guidance department.
The Year Head is a key link in the school community and oversees the welfare of a year group so that learning at every level of the student is supported. This includes – caring for students, encouraging Year Group spirit, monitoring attendance and academic progress, implementing the Code of Behaviour and communicating with teachers and parents. The tremendous input of our Year Heads on a daily basis is central to the development of our students and central to ensuring that our vision is a lived reality.
Our School Guidance Plan aims to assist the holistic development of all students so that they learn to know and value their talents and abilities and effectively manage their personal transitions while at the same time learn to value and respect others and make a positive contribution to society.
Guidance refers to a range of learning experiences, provided in a developmental sequence, that assist students to develop self-management skills which will lead to effective choices and decisions about their lives. It is focused on student progress in three separate, but interlinked, areas:
• Personal and Social Development
• Educational Guidance
• Career Guidance
Counselling is a key part of the school guidance programme, offered on an individual or group basis as part of a developmental learning process and in moments of personal crisis. Counselling may include personal counselling, educational counselling, career counselling or combinations of these.
The aim of the Special Education Needs Department is to value and nurture those students who learn differently and to foster their continuing education in a mainstream setting. The SEN department seek to work towards realising the potential of each individual student regardless of their disability. The SEN department work closely with SNAs, subject teachers, special education teachers, guidance counsellors, year heads and the senior leadership team.
