Pastoral Care

The school has a well-established and clear system of pastoral care designed to encourage positive attitudes to work and learning; our students work happily, co-operatively and in a purposeful way to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable.

Students are very respectful towards each other and their teachers. Relationships are strong  –  OFSTED 2014

The school’s work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding. Students feel safe in their school and say that bullying is uncommon but if it happens they have a confidence teachers will deal with it  –  OFSTED 2014

The school has a well-established and clear system of pastoral care designed to encourage positive attitudes to work and learning; our students work happily, cooperatively and in a purposeful way to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable. 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.

We aim through the school’s ethos, curriculum and activities to help all students to

• develop as a whole person
• enhance their confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem and sense of individual purpose
• develop personal moral values and positive attitudes, and acquire knowledge, skills and understanding, for life and work
• think independently, rationally and creatively and to enquire and question constructively
• be inspired towards a lifelong enthusiasm for further learning
• apply themselves to tasks, working alone and with others
• gain an understanding of the world in which we live and a concern for the environment
• appreciate human achievements and aspirations
• 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

The system of Pastoral Care at Beaumont 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 make students aware of themselves as members of both local and international communities, whether at home, at school, at work or at leisure and to encourage them to develop a sense of responsibility towards the needs of others
• to enable students to make informed choices and decisions about their future lives.

Form Tutors and Year Teams

During their time in school, students are in the overall care of Form Tutors and Heads of Year. Each student becomes part of a Form Group in Year 7, a form with which they will remain throughout their school career until they reach the Sixth Form ( Years 12 and 13 ). From Year 7 onwards, it is usual for the Form Tutor to remain with the students through to Year 11. The Head of Year 7 is a static position within the structure, while the Head of Year passes up with the Tutor Team to Year 11. Form Tutors and Heads of Year thus get to know students as individuals and are able to advise and guide them at each stage of their school career, while the specialist role of Head of Year 7 is retained to ensure effective Year 6 to 7 transition and strong links with our Feeder Schools.

Students meet with their Form Tutor for a daily registration or assembly. There is also a weekly Tutor Period in which a range of activities are carried out to support their well-being and learning. These may include whole year assemblies, peer mentoring, private study and structured class discussion. Form Tutors, Heads of Year and Pastoral Assistants, Mrs Rickman (Years 7 – 11) and Mrs Atkinson (Years 12 & 13) are also readily available during the school day to assist students when problems or queries arise.

A list of the Form Tutors for 2020-21 (updated January 2021) can be downloaded here.

Pastoral Leaders for 2020-2021 are as follows:

In the Sixth Form students are placed in vertical tutor groups, retaining the same tutor throughout their courses. The tutors work closely with the students providing assistance and guidance where needed.

All teaching staff are members of Year Teams, either as tutors or as attached staff. Year teams meet regularly through the year to discuss pastoral issues. The work of the Year teams is overseen by Mrs Y Powdrell (Deputy Headteacher).

Members of the Leadership Team maintain a pastoral overview of the behaviour and learning of students, with one member of the Leadership Team linked specifically to each year group.

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. 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 rapidly and telephone discussions can usually take place on the day a contact is made. Parents are welcome at Beaumont 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.

The school also provides additional support for individual students through such mechanisms as peer and academic mentoring, whilst also working with external agencies including Links Education Support Centre and YC Hertfordshire (formerly known as Youth Connexions).

The Head of Pastoral Care, Mrs Y Powdrell, is available to discuss matters of a pastoral nature and offer support and guidance to students, parents/carers, and to support and coordinate the work of members of the pastoral staff.

Mrs Powdrell is also the Designated Senior Person with responsibility for Child Protection and Safeguarding Children.