Pupil Care At
Walton-Le-Dale Arts College & High School

Learning For Life

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

As a small school we have the privilege of knowing each individual child. Good relationships are at the heart of every successful school. Our family environment enables us to provide a high level of personal care and support.

The Section/Pastoral System

The way in which we care for our students is different from that in most schools and we believe it is this that helps us to create our unique family atmosphere.

The school is split into 4 sections, Red (Mrs McClelland), Yellow (Mrs Challinor), Blue (Mr Moore) and Indigo (Mrs Shaw) with 5 tutor groups in each section. All staff are allocated to a section.
Year 7 (Mr Canton) are based in D block and are in year forms, 7R, 7Y, 7B & 7I. Tutor groups are allocated to sections in preparation for year 8 and to maintain the section system.
Years 8-11 are in a vertical system with all years in each tutor group

In Year 7 students are placed in their own registration groups which are located in a separate part of the school. The Year 7 tutor team are specialists in dealing with the needs and concerns of our newest students. They help to make the transition from primary school easier, working closely with our partner schools to ensure the youngsters feel happy and secure. We do this because we know that the first concern of parents is that their child is happy and secure.

From Year 8 onwards students are placed in a Section. There are four Sections identified by colours. Within a Section children are placed with a tutor group. Tutor groups consist of different ages and are looked after by the Form Tutor. Children in the same family may be in the same tutor group if parents request this. From Year 8 onwards students will have the same Form Tutor and Head of Section. Tutor groups are together for tutor periods, assemblies and other special occasions.

Our pastoral system has many benefits:

Staff get to know their form members very quickly and very well and are able to provide individual support
Young people have opportunities to develop co-operation and a sense of responsibility. It is very noticeable how responsible older pupils become towards the younger ones in their tutor group.
Continuity for pupils, parents and teachers makes caring easier.
Parents have members of staff as their constant reference points. Parents get to know these staff very well and vice-versa.

Students are also supported in other ways. The Learning Support Centre offers support for children who are having difficulties - for example, experiencing emotional or attendance problems. The school also employs a counselor for students who have personal difficulties, as well as a mediator who helps students to resolve social problems with their peers.

Student Responsibilities

At Walton-le-dale we encourage students to take on additional responsibilities. Students have opportunities to be team captains and register monitors, for example. Many of our students are trained mentors for younger students. Other students act as mediators when youngsters fall out with each other. We also have very active Section Councils and a School Council. Recently the School Council has been responsible for the purchase of lockers, the provision of a water fountain and healthier food options at lunchtime.

Anti-Bullying Policy

At Walton-le-Dale we place a strong emphasis on students being happy. We know that happy students are successful students. We therefore take student relationships very seriously. Respecting and valuing other people are constantly reinforced in assemblies, in lessons, through the tutor period and in the way we deal with each other on a daily basis.

Students sometimes fall out with others. When such occasions arise pastoral staff may become involved. Alternatively an adult mediator, together with trained student mediators, might help resolve the problem.

Occasionally a student will experience bullying. This happens in all schools but at Walton-le-Dale we will always take action to sort out the bullying. This will involve providing appropriate support for the victim, as well as ensuring that the perpetrator is dealt with.

View our Anti-Bullying Policy in full.

The Care and Control of Pupils and the Use of Reasonable Force

If staff become aware of, or have a need to become involved in situations where a child may be at risk of hurting themselves or others, or if the behaviour of a child seriously disrupts good order in the school or causes damage to property, staff may need to take steps to intervene physically. In such circumstances, staff will follow the school's policy for dealing with such situations. Any parents wishing to view this policy may do so on request.

Child Protection

A young person may make disclosures for which the school is obliged to take action under the LEA Child Protection procedures. This action may include contacting Social Services or the Police. We will always do so with sensitivity and with the best interests of the youngster at the heart of what we do.

The acceptance of a place at Walton-Le-Dale Arts College & High School also means acceptance of the school rules and its disciplinary procedures

Pupil Care At Walton-Le-Dale Arts College & High School