Pastoral Care
Our Wrap- Around Pastoral Care
Shavington Academy is, above all, a community that values education in its broadest sense rather than an academic institution in which exam results are paramount.
Helping pupils to be the best that they can be automatically produces positive academic outcomes but these are just one aspect of what they take away from their learning journey with us. The care and development of each pupil lies at the centre of everything that we do as a school, where tried and tested systems and protocols are employed to encourage, guide and nurture each and every individual to achieve their very best.
Our highly-skilled staff body work alongside pupils to develop in them the values that will serve them for their whole lives. Staff and pupils are expected to show courtesy to one another at all times, and be mutually respectful and supportive. When necessary, behaviour that is found to be unacceptable is challenged and together staff and pupils find solutions to rectify any issues through a sanctioned and fully restorative approach to behaviour management.
Our Support and Guidance
The level of guidance and support for pupils at Shavington Academy is something we take very seriously. Our main focus is to raise aspirations across the school through our aspirational target setting system, regular assemblies and study support/life skills support and mentoring programmes, which are provided both on a one to one or group basis by our Deputy Pastoral Leaders.
What is the Pastoral System like at Shavington Academy?
Our school is organised into a strong pastoral system, made up of five year groups, each with a Pastoral Leader, Deputy Pastoral Leader (non-teaching) and a team of Form Tutors. The work of our pastoral system is based on raising achievement and supporting pupils in every possible way as they progress through the school, whether this is academically and/or socially and emotionally.
Pupils will normally remain with the same Form Tutor until the end of Year 11. This means that throughout their time at school they will have a regular member of staff to whom they can turn to for help, support and guidance.
Form Tutors meet with their pupils every day and have a very important role to play in helping pupils settle into school life, in encouraging their progress, in detecting any problems which may arise and in helping them to solve them. Form Tutors also work closely with subject staff to help pupils who may experience difficulties with any school work, for example.
This structure exists in order to support and enhance the learning journey of all pupils during their time at Shavington Academy.
What will Form Tutors do for pupils?
The Form Tutor is the key figure for all pupils and their parents/carers in the structure and organisation of the school, and in supporting and furthering pupils’ learning in every way possible. Tutors will:
- Build a positive and professional relationship with pupils
- Register attendance every morning and ensure that pupils receive letters, notices, etc
- Monitor attendance; praise good attendance and refer any concerns about attendance to the Pastoral Leader/Deputy Pastoral Leader
- Ensure that pupils understand and adhere to school routines, uniform regulations, fire drill, etc
- Ensure that pupils understand their timetable and help them with their option choices in Year 9
- Ensure that the daily tasks on the year group form time timetable are delivered to a high standard at all times
- Monitor academic progress and personal well -being through regular discussions with regular liaison with the Pastoral Leader/Deputy Pastoral Leader
- Monitor homework commitments and support pupils as and when necessary
- Advise and guide pupils on time management, organisational and study skills
- Encourage pupils to participate in the school’s reward system, striving for excellence at all times
- Monitor Mindset for Learning (M4L) scores and when necessary monitor further with a form tutor report card, setting clear goals, for a minimum of a two week period
- Make prompt contact with parents/carers when the need arises
- Act as a first point of contact, within school, for parents/carers if they wish to discuss any aspect of their child’s welfare, work or progress
- Liaise with the Pastoral Leader on any issues that may affect pupils
How else will pupils be supported?
We communicate with primary feeder schools to ensure that when pupils arrive here in Year 7 their needs can be met quickly and effectively.
The SPARK curriculum and form tutor tasks are continually being developed in response to pupil feedback, to support pupils preparing for examinations. e.g. targeted booster sessions in most subjects, Easter School, revision classes, and study skills advice and guidance.
Careers advisors work effectively with Shavington Academy staff and pupils in school on a regular basis to provide guidance as well as providing advice for pupils leaving school for college, apprenticeships and employment.
Pupils are well prepared for option choices, including thorough individual interviews, by tutors and senior staff. Advisors from Further Education play an active role in the process and attend a number of parents’ evenings throughout the academic year.
