Pastoral Care

Good pastoral care grows out of quality relationships between staff and pupils. To this end, pupils are encouraged to approach all, or any, member of staff with concerns that arise. However, for good organisation, a formal structure exists. Each class has a Registration Teacher who is responsible for the initial pastoral care of the pupils in that class. The Registration Teacher meets with the class every day for registration and is the first point of contact for support, advice or minor concerns.


Each Year group is the responsibility of the Year Tutor and Assistant Year Tutor.  In Year Eight the Year Tutor and Assistant focus on the induction and pastoral care of all new pupils. Heads of Year and Form Tutors move up through the school with their registration group: forging relations, using previous knowledge to support learning and helping pupils to achieve their potential.  In Year 13 & 14 there is a dedicated team who rotate.

The Personal Development programme is delivered by a core team with specialist training at Key Stages 3, 4, & 5.

At Dunclug College our Pastoral Care system aims to convey four pillars to our pupils. These are presented in our "lifebuoy" as shown below but explained to pupils through our "signposts".

 

We encourage pupils to Aim High through our target setting, in lessons as they tackle tasks, on the sports field and in their plans for later life. Attitude is crucial to securing success and the need to Be Positive is coveyed through our taught pastoral curriculum.

 

Pupils are encouraged to be helpful and to Be Kind to one another, to recognise our differences and to accept that kindness often comes back to those who show it.

 

And last, but definitely not least, is Respect for self, for others and for the world in which we live. Pupils are given respect and are expected to show respect to their peers and staff alike.

 

These four aims help our pupils to truly Prepare for Life.

 

 

Promoting Good Attendance

The College believes that good attendance and punctuality are central to the learning process. For a child to succeed in the school environment, it is essential that a high level of attendance is maintained, the school target is 96%, this figure is included on pupil interim and end of year reports. An encouragement and reward programme exists to promote best attendance and a support programme is in place, in liaison with the Education Welfare Service, to address issues of non-attendance, school refusal, truancy etc.

Prefects and Peer Mentors

Prefects and Peer Mentors are trained to support younger pupils and provide an important thread in the pastoral programme.

Safeguarding

All pupils have the right to expect that every member of staff, both teaching and non-teaching, will do whatever is reasonable to safeguard each pupil's welfare and safety. We seek to provide a secure environment in which each pupil can learn and develop effectively. The designated child protection officer is the Deputy Principal. In his absence, the Pastoral Directors for Junior and Senior school are the Deputy Designated Officers.

 

Anti-Bullying

Dunclug College takes a serious view of the issue of bullying and does all it can to ensure that any type of bullying, no matter how small, is addressed. There is a clear anti-bullying policy to which all parents and pupils are invited to contribute. We seek to identify the underlying cause of problems that arise and to use strategies which will bring about lasting change.

Text-a-Nurse

Text-a-Nurse service has been launched to provide young people with a secure and confidential text messaging service to a school nurse for advice and support.

 

The service is aimed at 11 to 19 year olds and will be delivered by the School Nursing Teams.  It is one of a range of resources to support the implementation of the Framework for Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education.

 

This new scheme will allow young people to seek advice about sensitive health issues without a face to face appointment. School nurses will provide help on a range of issues including, emotional health and wellbeing, alcohol and drugs, sexual health, bullying and general health issues.

 

For our area phone:  07480635982

Home/School Links

The school places emphases on good relationships and regular meaningful communication with parents:

 

  • On admission to the school, parents of pupils receive a pack containing information about the school and all relevant documentation.
  • Each June, all families receive updated copies of school policies on Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and Discipline, together with uniform lists, school rules and other relevant information.
  • Information gathered is updated annually and parents are asked to keep school involved in all matters of health, or relating to the well-being of their children.
  • A bulletin is produced each tem for parents by the principal, updating them about activities, plans etc., and giving relevant information.
  • A detailed induction programme is provided for both pupils and parents, as detailed above. This applies to incoming Year 8 pupils and also pupils transferring into any of the other year groups.
  • A Parents' Evening/Afternoon is held for all year groups to allow consultation with all subject teachers. In Years 8, 10, 11, 12 & 13, this involves a presentation by the Principal or Senior Staff.
  • During the school year, parents are consulted about, and kept informed of, all matters relating to the welfare, progress or discipline of their child.
  • Parents/Carers may make an appointment at any time with the school staff and school may arrange interviews with parents on matters arising.
  • Written reports are prepared annually at the end of the school year.
  • Pupils are encouraged in, and assisted with, the preparation of the E-Portfolios, which details all aspects of their school experience, both inside and outside the classroom and is an excellent record for Employers/Further Education Establishments.
  • Parents are given opportunity to respond to, and comment upon, key policies such as Anti-Bullying, Child Protection and Discipline and other matters such as RSE and the annual school report.
  • A Parent/Teacher Organisation meets regularly to consider development issues and organise fund-raising events.
  • The annual parents’ meeting is an opportunity for parents to hear the Annual School Report and to make comment.
  • The school website is updated regularly, parents, pupils and friends can follow the school's Facebook Page and Twitter account.

Discipline with Dignity

At Dunclug we promote self-discipline, encourage good behaviour and use positive behaviour management strategies when pupils experience difficulty.

 

We believe that we maintain good behaviour by:

Providing a high quality of teaching and a wide range of meaningful experiences for pupils both inside and outside the classroom providing support, encouragement and a system of target setting for improvement at all levels promoting safety in school through good supervision, anti-bullying and child protection procedures. 

 

Rewarding success: academic, vocational, sporting and cultural pursuits, endeavour and behaviour. These rewards are distributed throughout the year in class, special assemblies, sports prize-giving and our annual prize giving afternoon. They consist of Cups, Shields, Medals and Certificates for pupils who attain the highest levels of achievement. Good behaviour, attendance and hard work are also rewarded with book tokens and vouchers providing a wide range of extra-curricular activities through which pupils develop their individual talents and gifts.

Reward System
Throughout the term pupils have opportunity to gain merits awarded for work, attitude, behaviour and contribution to school life. Certificates, book tokens and other awards are presented in special assemblies at the end of each term.


Pupils who have shown outstanding achievement are also rewarded at the annual School Prize Afternoon, where cups and shields, as well as External Examination Certificates are presented.

Taught Pastoral Curriculum

All pupils follow a pastoral curriculum, in the form of a Personal Development programme, comprised of Citizenship, Personal, Social & Health Education and Employability. The PSHE programme includes Drugs Education, Health Education and Relationships & Sexuality Education.

  

Internet Safety

Our Online Safety Policy protects our pupils when they are in school but we also instruct them about intenet safety at all times and encourage parents to likewise. 

External Agency Support

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