Pastoral Care

Pastoral Overview	Mrs V West - Deputy Headteacher
Associate Leaders	Mr R McCarthy (Head of Year 7 Transition), Mr B Storey (Head of Middle School), Mrs S Whyte-McLean (Head of Upper School)
Head of Year	Year 7 - Mr R McCarthy, Year 8 - Miss J Barton, Year 9 - Mr B Storey, Year 10 - Mrs A Robinson, Year 11 - Mrs S Whyte-McLean
Pastoral Manager	Mrs H Pudney
Pastoral Support	Mrs V Kerr (Year 7), Mrs K Williamson (Years 8 & 9), Miss H Edmunds (Years 10 & 11)
Head of Sixth Form	Mrs G Willcox
Assistant Head of Sixth Form	Mrs Y Sewell
Pastoral Manager for Sixth Form	Mrs C Harris

 

Encouraged, Supported and Challenged

The school has a well established and clear system of pastoral care designed to encourage positive attitudes to work and learning. We believe that students learn best when they are in an environment in which they feel safe and secure. 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 successfully 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 students feel valued members of the school community.

‘Pupils flourish at this school’.

‘Pupils respect staff and each other.’

‘They (pupils) feel valued because staff build positive relationships with them.’

‘Bullying is not tolerated.’

‘Pupils know that discrimination of any form is not accepted in this school. This makes them feel safe and confident to be themselves.’

‘Expectations for pupils’ behaviour are high.’

‘Leaders have prioritised pupils’ attendance.’

‘Personal development is a priority at this school.’

Quotes from Ofsted Inspection Report 13th - 14th June 2023

 

The system of Pastoral Care at Chelmer Valley aims:

• to ensure that all students make a smooth and successful transition from their previous schools

• to enable students 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 students to make the most of all opportunities, study and learn effectively, use their abilities and develop their skills

• to assist students to develop self-awareness, self-confidence and self-reliance

• to enable students to make informed choices and decisions about their future lives

• develop as a whole person by acquiring confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem and sense of individual purpose

• 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.

Daily tutor periods allow tutors to monitor the progress and wellbeing of their students and provide individuals with the mentoring, support and guidance they need. Within these tutor periods, a programme of activities is carried out to support their wellbeing and learning. The tutor plays a vital role in supporting and encouraging each individual and are the first point of contact between school and home.

In addition to the traditional tutor system, all tutor groups belong to a House. It is through the house system that we encourage students of all ages to work together and help each other. See specific section on the house system for more information.

 

Liaison

We work closely with parents and encourage you to contact the school as soon as a problem arises. In most instances, initial contact should be made via your child's form tutor or with the pastoral manager that supports the Year teams. 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 contact is made. Parents are welcome at Chelmer Valley but we do request that you make an appointment if you would like a meeting with a member of the pastoral team or a specific teacher.