All our pupils are assigned to a Pastoral Care Teacher on entering the school. Pastoral Care provides the link in the educational chain between home and various departments in the school. Although all teachers in a school have responsibility for the child’s welfare, it is the Pastoral Care Teacher who has an ‘all round’ picture of an individual pupil’s progress. The Pastoral Care teacher also prepares a structured Pastoral Care programme to help all the pupils at certain stages of development. Listed below are some examples of the important tasks in which Pastoral Care staff are engaged, in addition to their teaching duties.
- developing close links with Primary Seven pupils and teachers
- care of new admissions
- monitoring the academic progress of pupils
- giving advice on course choice
- checking on attendance and timekeeping
- care of pupils facing difficulties - emotional, physical and in school work
- preparation of reports on pupils - for employers, colleges, universities etc.
- Contact with parents of individual pupils - by letter, telephone, interview and meeting
- links with supporting agencies such as the Careers Service, Social Work, community organisation etc.
The role of Pastoral Care is central to much that happens in our school. So essential is its contribution that it is our policy to involve not only the teachers promoted in Pastoral Care but all teachers on the staff.
- All staff are encouraged to take a close interest in the education and welfare of the young people they teach. Tutor teachers are especially well placed in this respect.
- All teachers are required to contribute to the programme of curricular and vocational pastoral care and to the personal and social development of their pupils.
- All teachers are urged to contribute to the ethos of the school.
- Those who act as tutor teachers work closely with Pastoral Care staff in monitoring the progress, attendance and timekeeping of their pupils.