Pastoral Care of Pupils
The recent changes to management
structures within secondary schools across Dumfries and Galloway mean
that the arrangements for the pastoral care of pupils have changed. The
traditional Guidance structure known to parents no longer exists and a
new framework for supporting pupils has been introduced. The pastoral
care of pupils is very important throughout their school life and
probably of greatest importance in the transitional year from primary
school. The pastoral care of all pupils remains a top priority within
Langholm Academy and our new structures will help support pupils in
their first and subsequent years.
Each pupil has a register
teacher who meets with the register class each day. This teacher will
act as an important link person for pupils and parents. By seeing and
getting to know pupils every day, they can quickly spot when help is
needed and also make sure that your son or daughter is prepared for
school each day.
Your son or daughter’s teachers provide
vital pastoral care by motivating your child; helping them do their
best; acting as excellent role models in their work ethic; showing
their enjoyment of school; timekeeping standards; being prepared for
each lesson; helping with difficulties; marking homework; providing
reports on progress; giving curricular advice in their subject
specialisms – to name a few areas!
The House System
continues to operate and will function to bring pupils together in
activities across the school. Pupils will be allocated to one of three
Houses – Esk, Tarras or Wauchope. Pupils will continue to meet at
occasional House assemblies as well as at their regular Year Group
assemblies and Whole School assemblies. Register classes will meet as
House groups and pupils have opportunities to represent their
‘house’ in activities eg. quizzes and sport.
A Pupil
Support Team operates within the school. Led by the Principal Teacher,
Mrs. Mann, this team of teachers, classroom assistants and behaviour
support personnel and Senior Managers will provide support for pupils
during the session. They will support pupils in and out of class and
hold regular interviews to assess progress and help with difficulties.
Pupils
are supported in a variety of other ways. The Personal, Social and
Health Education programme provides pupils with the opportunity to
debate important issues. The school’s Careers Adviser will
provide careers advice and the School’s Sports Coordinator
organises inter-House and extra-curricular activities. The School
Nurse, Mrs. Nicholson, holds regular, weekly ‘drop-in’
clinics to provide medical advice to pupils, if requested.
The
Senior Management Team and the Extended Management Team have an
important role for the delivery of pastoral care. They
communicate directly with parents and interview pupils regularly. Links
with other external agencies such as Primary Schools, School Review
Groups, Childrens Hearings and Police can be extremely valuable in
gaining knowledge and acting on it to ensure the delivery of effective
pastoral support – and where appropriate make positive difference
to pupils lives.
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It is intended that an effective
partnership between school and home will ensure that all pupils receive
the pastoral support they require during their school life and provide
a sound foundation and preparation for their life after school.
Each pupil has a PSE teacher who meets with the PSE class once per week.
Home Link Worker Service
Susan
Hollywood is the Home Link Worker for the Langholm cluster which
consists of Langholm Academy and Primary, Canonbie Primary and Glenzier
Primary.
Home visiting is one of the main aspects of her role.
This provides a good opportunity to discuss any problems or concerns
parents may have about their child in school, link parents to other
agencies and provide advice and feedback on behalf of the school.
Through the home link worker, support can also be offered as:
- Individual support for your child e.g. bullying issues, provide work through long absences etc.
- Group work e.g. circle time
- Support holiday activities e.g. provide transport and crèche
- Support at times of change e.g. transition, new pupil etc.
Please
do not hesitate to contact Susan if you have any concerns or issues
regarding your child which may impact on their school life.
She can be contacted through the school office on 013873 80418 or on her mobile 0772 506 5500 until 6pm.