Pupil Care

PUPIL CARE

We have a strong and powerful tradition of excellent staff/pupil relationships which greatly enhances our effective teaching and learning. Our pupils are exceptionally well cared for in an environment which is positive in its approach to young people.

We believe that each pupil is special in God’s eyes and merits individual consideration by the staff. It is our desire that each pupil should feel wanted and valued, so they are assigned to a mixed ability Tutor Group on arrival at school. The Tutor for learning is the guardian of the pupils in his or her care and the vital link between school and home.

Each Key Stage has an Assistant Headteacher who works with a team of colleagues to support the work done by the tutor. They also work with external agencies such as Education Welfare and the School Psychological Service. A counselling service has been established in school and we are fortunate to have trained and experienced colleagues. The possibility of individual pupils working with an identified adult to try to overcome any barriers to their progress also exists.

Our Chaplain is also on hand to offer additional support to the pupils and to link with the work of your parish priest in ensuring the spiritual well being of our school family.

Our principles of positive behaviour management mean that pupils should follow directions recognising that they have a right to learn and teachers have a right to teach and everyone has the right to safety.


REFERRAL SYSTEM

In order to encourage good behaviour and monitor poor behaviour, we operate a referral system. If students do something worthy of commendation in the areas of study, service, charity or the holding of any school office, they receive a merit. An example of poor behaviour or attitude results in, among other sanctions, their being given a demerit. In each case these are recorded on the school’s MIS system and can be monitored by all staff and by you at home.

It is good to report that merits overwhelmingly exceed demerits! Further recognition is given at the end of the year to those who have large numbers of merits. The homework diary/planner is an easy way for parents to communicate with school.


INCLUSION

It is our purpose to remove barriers to progress, address special educational needs and promote social inclusion. In particular, to reduce exclusion, raise attendance, provide full-time education for children out of school, and address key social needs.


ATTENDANCE

We maintain a good attendance record. This, in no small measure, is due to the cooperation which exists between teaching staff and parents. Parents are asked to report an absence each day before 10.30 am using the absence line 01254 604043 and to indicate the reason in the pupil’s planner. We will contact parents as soon as possible if students are missing from school without reason.


ATTENDANCE RECORD

Pupil Information in the period September 2007 – May 2008
Number of pupils of compulsory school age on roll for at least one session 1,272
Number of pupil sessions 388,170

Authorised Absence in the period September 2007 – May 2008
Number of authorised absences 16,079
Number of pupils with at least one authorised absence 1,165
% of authorised absence 4.14%

Unauthorised Absence in the period September 2007 – May 2008
Number of unauthorised absences 1,031
Number of pupils with at least one unauthorised absence 147
% of unauthorised absence 0.27%