As well as the Head Teacher and two Deputy Heads, there is a Head of Lower School (Years 7 and 8), a Head of Middle School (Years 9 to 11) and a Director of Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13).

 

Each year group has a Head of Year supported by a team of form tutors.  The Head of Year has overall responsibility for the progress of the pupils in his or her year group.  He or she liaises closely with the relevant Head of School (Lower, Middle, Sixth Form) and also with the Assistant Year Heads who are responsible for the day to day welfare of pupils.  Each Year Group is supported by the Assistant Head of Year.

 

Together, all members of the team work to ensure that students are supported throughout their time at Sacred Heart and are given the optimum opportunity for personal well-being and for achieving their potential in their studies.  Any difficulties or potential problems are identified early and appropriate interventions put in place.

 

The care and guidance systems create an orderly atmosphere for learning, encourage the growth of self-esteem and promote the value of caring for others.  Partnership with parents is of paramount importance and close liaison with parents is the basis of all our systems.

 

 

The form tutor draws together the efforts of the academic and pastoral staff.  Form tutors meet their classes every day for registration and tutorial periods and each tutor remains with the class for at least one year.  Form tutors lead or organise form prayers each morning, relating to the church year. Many tutors remain with their groups for longer than this, in order to provide continuity and encourage developing bonds of trust. Where a pupil is experiencing difficulties, either in or outside the classroom, the form tutor will be informed.  Children relate most directly to the college through their form and usually have the confidence to approach their tutors if they have any problems.

 

 

These lessons form an integral part of our pastoral system. Many topics are covered and the pupils have the opportunity to discuss many issues with their form Tutor. We have recently, April 2009 been awarded Healthy School Status and great emphasis is placed on Health Education. There are strong links between our School and all the outside agencies.

 

 

The disciplinary system is founded on a partnership between pupil, teacher and parents.  This is stressed by the Head Teacher at parents' meetings before pupils join the College and again early in Year 7.  Our main aim is to promote self-discipline through recognising and rewarding good behaviour.  If pupils do misbehave, the main sanction is detention (parents will be given at least 24 hours notice of this) and in the vast majority of cases this is sufficient.  However, in the case of more serious or consistent inappropriate behaviour, more serious sanctions will be employed including Saturday morning detentions or periods of time in Sacre Coeur, where small groups of pupils take part in behaviour modification programmes.  Ultimately, if all these approaches fail, then there is still the possibility of exclusion, either fixed-term or, in the most extreme cases, permanent.