As we come to the end of a very successful first half term it is only right that we review our current practice under the COVID restrictions. Our students have been fantastic under challenging circumstances, remaining in their corridor bubbles for their lessons and designated playgrounds for their breaks and lunches. We have a thriving enrichment programme that we have adapted to keep students safely within their year groups, and have had some amazing inter house competitions! We know that our practice is very secure, as we keep students, staff and the wider community as safe as possible.
When we planned for September there were many unknowns, this remains the case now as we move to tier two restrictions. One of these was the duration schools would have to operate within bubbles. We now feel this will be for a substantial amount of the academic year, and so need to adapt our fantastic pastoral team to support students to the highest standard day to day. Our current house system is a fantastic one, but perhaps not fit for purpose when day to day, students only move within year groups.
For the remainder of the academic year our Head’s of House will move from supporting students in a house, to supporting students in a year group. The biggest advantage of this is the daily contact they will be able to have with your children, which at the moment is just not logistically possible. We want to make this decision to offer stability for the academic year, rather than changing again should restrictions or government instruction change.
Our house system will remain in place through tutor time, inter house activities, attendance competitions and of course the infamous merit race! There is something truly unique and special about our house system, and we know both students and staff will keep it alive. Below are the year groups that each Head of House will now be pastoral lead of.
Year 7 – Mr Tousent
Year 8 – Ms Philip
Year 9 – Ms Martin
Year 10 – Ms Heath
Year 11 – Mr Corey
Our staff are very excited about this change, as it will lead to a higher level of pastoral support each day for your children. We will be informing children this week during tutor time.
