Agenda item

The Second Master was heard relative to the School’s Pastoral System.

The Second Master tabled the contents page of the School’s current ‘Pastoral Handbook’ along with an extract from the School’s most recent ISI Inspection Report of 2011.

He began by summarising the current ‘reporting lines’ in terms of pastoral issues and explained that the complete Pastoral Handbook had been circulated to both existing and prospective parents and Governors last term.

The Second Master highlighted that the system functioned most efficiently when pupils, parents and staff worked together to deliver outcomes. He added that the pastoral system was, and would continue to be, at the heart of CLS. Governors were informed that Form Tutors were often at the ‘centre’ of the system and that they then had the ability to ‘report up’ to Heads of Year, the Second Master and, ultimately, the Headmaster.

In response to a question, the Second Master reported that there were 6 Year Heads and that each had a Deputy.

The Second Master went on to outline the scope of pastoral activities within the School and referred to the following:

·        the increasing importance and prevalence of mental health issues and role of counselling in this area;

·        bullying – both verbal and physical (although physical bullying was very rare at CLS)

·        drug and alcohol abuse;

·        pupils struggling academically and/or socially;

·        family problems – family ‘breakups’ etc.;

·        disciplinary matters;

·        the CLS mentoring programme and prefect system – sometimes boys preferred to talk through problems with their peers;

·        Child Protection and Safeguarding;

·        detentions;

·        commendations;

·        complaints from pupils, staff and parents;

·        learning support systems;

·        medical problems and the role of the School Nurse;

·        PSHE programme.

The Chairman stated that he felt that pastoral issues were managed particularly well by the School and that the ISI Inspection report recognised that pupils generally felt safe and happy at CLS.

In response to a question, the Second Master reported that all new staff immediately undertook an Induction and that this included information on the School’s Pastoral system. He added that, where a member of teaching staff was newly qualified, they were not made a Form Tutor immediately but were often assigned an experienced tutor to ‘shadow’. In terms of training for existing members of teaching staff, the Second Master referenced ‘Teachmeet’ twilight sessions, Head of Year meetings and various external training. He reported that he was confident that the School provided all of its teaching staff with adequate training in this area and that all were trained in how to identify potential problems and when to refer these upwards.

In response to further questions, the Second Master reported that an average Form in the Lower School consisted of 24 pupils and estimated that tutors would probably have to deal with around 4-5 pastoral issues each week. He added that Sixth Form Forms were smaller and that tutors could therefore expect to deal with fewer pastoral issues but that these were possibly more severe when they did arise. The Second Master went on to report that there were, on average, 2-3 more serious cases referred to him from across the School each week.

In response to a question regarding parents, the Second Master reported that the majority of parents were pleased that the School made contact with them regarding pastoral issues and that they were keen to be kept informed and appreciated that this was for the benefit of their son.

The Second Master went on to highlight that boys were also able to self-refer to the School counsellors who were not part of the teaching staff. He reported that the counsellors were on-site for two and a half days each week and that there was an anonymous box outside their room for booking appointments confidentially. The Second Master reported that only the School counsellors had access to this box. He added that there was also a comments box opposite the counsellors’ room where pupils were encouraged to leave feedback.

RECEIVED.