Personal & Social Development

New students joining Year 7 in September 2008 will be under the guidance of Mr Adam Fletcher (Learning Co-ordinator), and a team of Tutors who will normally stay with the Year Group as they progress through the school. During Years 7 to 9 Ms Margot Currie (Assistant Headteacher) will be the Senior Leadership link for students, staff and parents.

The Form Tutor is responsible for registering the students at the beginning of the morning and for the delivery of the Cross-Curricular Programme, called SPACE.

Assembly for the Year Group is usually held in the Hall or Gym once a week and is taken by a member of the Leadership Team or the Learning Co-ordinators.

The progress of students is monitored by the Tutor, the Subject Teachers, the Curriculum Leaders and the Learning Co-ordinators.

During the first half term there is an Early Contact evening with the form tutor to provide an opportunity to assess how well the student is settling into their new school. This is followed by an Academic Mentoring Day in mid November when each student and their parent/carer comes into school at a pre-arranged time to discuss progress and subject specific targets for the next two terms with a teacher from the Year Team. Three summary reports comparing a student's current academic performance against their estimated levels are posted to parents shortly after each of the half term holidays.

Many students in Year 7 are given nationally standardised verbal reasoning and context comprehension (reading) tests during the year. These tests alert teachers to any "high flyers" or to any students experiencing serious difficulties. Special needs or extension work procedures will then enable teachers and students to work at appropriate levels in lessons in order to raise achievement. A programme of extra-curricular activities compliments classroom work. A student's progress is also documented in reports received from Junior Schools during the Summer Term.

In addition, if it is considered that a student is under-achieving, interim reports are compiled and the appropriate action is taken in consultation with the Learning Development Team. The support and encouragement of parents is an important element in helping our students develop and progress.

The student support system tries to ensure that all children gain maximum benefit from everything the School has to offer. The Tutor is the first person a child can turn to for help and advice since it is the Tutor who has daily contact with the child.
Parents who wish to discuss any aspect of their child's progress, are invited to contact the school to make an appointment to see the Learning Co-ordinator.

PLEASE NOTE THAT TEACHERS ARE UNABLE TO LEAVE LESSONS TO SEE PARENTS AND THEREFORE A MUTUALLY CONVENIENT APPOINTMENT TIME IS ESSENTIAL.