PASTORAL CARE AND GUIDANCE

This teacher normally teaches the Form Class for one of their subjects and has special responsibility for monitoring the overall conduct, development, progress and performance of the pupils in his or her class.  We try to ensure that the same Form Teacher remains with the class for the whole of Key Stage 3 ie Years 8 to 10.  Form Teachers are supported by Year Heads who in turn are co-ordinated by a Vice-Principal who has overall responsibility for pastoral care and discipline in the school.

It is our aim to promote good relationships and effective communication between everyone in the school community.  Therefore pupils are encouraged to talk to their Form Teachers and/or Year Heads, to share concerns early so that we can deal with problems quickly and effectively.

[a]     DISCIPLINE

A copy of the school rules and the school’s uniform and dress codes is provided for every pupil on admission.  Copies are circulated whenever there are changes and are available on request from the school office.  The rules are simple, clear, few in number and are based on common sense.  They are provided and enforced to create an orderly, safe and congenial environment for all.  We take discipline and good conduct seriously and expect high standards.  Similarly the appropriate wearing of school uniform is expected and all pupils are issued with a uniform report card on which any breaches of uniform regulations are noted by staff.  Regular attendance, punctuality, responsible and considerate behaviour are the norm. 

The policy statement on Positive Behaviour sets out the approach, procedures, rewards and sanctions that apply in Sullivan.  The most common sanctions are detentions although school exclusion, in a variety of forms, is available in serious cases.  Although it is practically impossible to involve parents in every case, we do undertake to communicate with and consult parents as much as possible and in all serious instances. 

[b]     LEARNING FOR LIFE AND WORK

A planned and co-ordinated Learning for Life and Work programme is delivered by Form Teachers, by specialist teachers in their subjects and in special meetings, talks and group sessions.  For pupils in Year 8 this is geared towards induction and helping them to settle in to their new school.   It addresses study skills, health education and includes sex education and anti-drugs and anti-bullying provision and aspects of personal safety related to child protection.  Many elements of the programme involve active teaching methods with opportunities for whole class and group discussion.

In general the aim of the policy with respect to Drugs Education is to allow young people to make healthy lifestyle choices in the context of pertinent and correct knowledge of the facts about drug use and misuse.  It is hoped that this would minimise the number of pupils who engage in drug misuse and encourage and persuade them to resist the temptation to experiment.

1.       The school’s Drugs Education Policy Statement has been drawn up in accordance with the Guidance for Schools in Northern Ireland issued by the Department of Education.

2.       The policy deals with the drugs education programme which is delivered partly through curricular subjects and partly through the provision for the Learning for Life and Work programme.  The policy also deals with procedures for dealing with incidents of drugs misuse and has links with other school policies including those for Pastoral Care, Health Education and Positive Behaviour.

3.       The policy sets out the aims and objectives of the drugs education programme which include the desire to encourage young people to make informed and responsible decisions for and about themselves and to make these decisions in the context of a healthy lifestyle.  It is the aim of the policy to minimise the number of young people in the school who engage in drugs misuse and to encourage and persuade them to resist the temptation to experiment.

4.       The policy also sets out a consistent approach to be used for dealing with cases of actual or suspected drugs misuse in school, in school related activities and by pupils of the school.  In the policy the term drugs refers to all psychoactive substances both legal, prescribed and illegal, including alcohol and tobacco.  The policy recognises that the school’s response to any drugs related incident needs to be proportionate and fair, taking into account all the appropriate circumstances and context.  A variety of sanctions might be used in any one case, up to and including permanent exclusion from school.  However, the decision on how precisely the school will deal with pupils who break school rules with respect to drugs will take into account the need to act in the best interests and for the well-being of those involved in the incident and of all the pupils at the school.

5.       The policy recognises that there are a number of legal and moral responsibilities which must be discharged in cases of drugs misuse.  The school will inform the PSNI in all instances where it has been alleged or suspected that the crime has been committed and will liaise closely with PSNI in cases of suspected drugs misuse.  The school will also work closely with parents/guardians in these matters and will refer to other relevant outside agencies as appropriate.

6.       The Designated Teacher for Drugs is Miss Dines, the Pastoral Vice-Principal, and further information is available from her or the Headmaster, Mr Peel. A copy of the school’s policy statement on drugs education is available on request from the school office.

 [c]     CAREERS GUIDANCE AND ADVICE

 A full programme of information and advice is built around the main decision-making points in a pupil’s career at school.  These come at the end of Key Stage 3 [when subject choices for GCSE have to be made], at the end of Key Stage 4 [when decisions about what to do after GCSE are made] and in the Sixth Form when post-school choices are considered. 

A head of careers co-ordinates the work of a team of teachers with specialist knowledge and experience who work as careers advisers in the school.  Pupils are provided with background materials, guidance about available options and given access to expert information and advice.  There is a well-stocked careers library, there is also an up-to-date careers section in the main school library containing both books and videos and modern electronic methods of accessing appropriate information are available to all pupils.  There are close links with the Training and Employment Agency and other outside bodies.

In Year 13 students undertake a programme of job shadowing/work experience relevant to their chosen career direction.

A copy of the school’s policy statement for careers education is available from the school office.

[d]     SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

The school admits pupils with special educational needs [whether statemented or not] using the same criteria as pertains to all applications for admission.  The school’s policy statement on Special Educational Needs sets out the approach used to identify, cater for and monitor the needs of pupils and is written in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. A copy of the school’s policy statement on Special Educational Needs is available from the school office.

The number of children at the school with statements of special educational needs, who have designated classroom assistants or who are recognised at stages 1, 2 or 3 of the Code of Practice and who have educational plans in place continues to increase each year.  The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator oversees the educational provision for these children, liaises with relevant outside agencies and communicates with parents on behalf of the school.  The annual review process of children with a statement of special education need involves all interested parties in decisions about the educational provision and choices of these children.

We have continued to adopt our buildings and facilities by providing ramps and lifts to improve disabled access.  With grant aid from the Department of Education, we have installed appropriate furniture in science to allow safe access for disabled pupils to do practical work.

[e]     RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The school is required by law to teach Religious Education to every pupil and does so using the common curricular core for Northern Ireland.  However, parents have the right, should they wish to exercise it, to withdraw their children from classes in this subject and also from the act of collective worship which the school is required to provide.

Parents who wish to exercise their rights in these matters are asked to write in confidence to the Headmaster making their wishes clear.  We will respond sympathetically and sensitively to such requests and will deal with them in ways that seek to avoid embarrassment to the pupils involved.

[f]      HOMEWORK AND PRIVATE STUDY

 Homework and private study are vital components in each pupil’s learning and development.  Good study habits and practices learned early will stand children in good stead throughout their lives. 

Teachers will set a range of appropriate homework tasks - some requiring a written response, others not.  Parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s homework provision by regularly reading and signing their homework diary and by writing appropriate comments in the spaces provided.

It is impossible to specify how much time pupils should spend on homework/private study: one piece of work which takes one individual twenty minutes could take another over an hour.  However, parents with general concerns or comments about homework are asked to speak with the Form Teacher in the first instance. An outline of homework requirements in each subject will be provided.

A copy of the policy statement on assessment and homework for each department is available on the school website. 

[g]     FORMAL SCHOOL-HOME CONTACTS BY YEAR

PUPIL SAFETY

The Health and Safety Committee of the Board of Governors has the responsibility of considering all aspects of Health and Safety in relation to the school.  This responsibility takes a variety of different forms. 

A drop-off and pick-up arrangement has been instituted at the front of the school in front of the War Memorial Pavilion.  Considerable funds were expended to construct a lay-by, to paint road markings and to update signage.  The majority of parents and visitors to the school conform to the arrangements which have greatly improved safety and access for cars and pedestrians.

With regard to school safety and security in general, the school will continue to operate the one way system in, via the main gate on the Belfast Road and out, by way of the Abbey Ring Gate in the mornings and afternoons.  However, for the bulk of the school day in normal circumstances, only the main school gate will be open and all other entrances to the school will be locked.  CCTV, security fencing and other measures will continue to be used and developed to enhance security at the school.

If you have concerns about the personal safety of your child, then you should contact the School (Telephone: 028 90428780). 

If your concerns are more specifically related to child protection then there are a number of people you can speak to and their names and designations are given below.

1.         Miss A Dines – the Designated Teacher for Child Protection
2.         Mr C Peel – Headmaster/the Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection
3.         Mrs R Price – Designated Governor for Child Protection
4.         Mr M Watson – the Chair of the Board of Governors

If your concerns are about the Designated Teacher for Child Protection, then you should contact the Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection.

if your concerns are about the Headmaster then you should contact the Chair of the Board of Governors.