Introduction
“Students’ personal development and well-being are outstanding” OFSTED 2014
Introduction
At Barton Court we pride ourselves on high standards of pastoral care from Y7 through to Y13. Each student is placed into a carefully chosen tutor group upon joining the school, based on the child’s preference, parental preference and advice from the primary school teachers which is sought during our transition program.
The pastoral support structure for each year group is as follows:
The pastoral scheme of work is carefully designed by the Head of Year to cover key issues that are of importance in the year group. This supports the PSHEE provision delivered in bespoke lessons across the academic year, and within religious, philosophy and ethics lessons.
HeadStart
To support pastoral care at Barton Court, we have a strong team of fully trained peer mentors who are fully trained through our involvement with HeadStart Kent to support other students in the school. We are the only Grammar School in the Canterbury District to be chosen for this initiative, which aims to support young people by developing their skills of resilience and perseverance as they take the steps into young adulthood. The school boasts a fully refurbished and staffed ‘Wellbeing’ room in the old school house; this is a specialist room developed and led by our Deputy Senco, which provides a space within school for students to relax and discuss any issues, including strategies to move forward. The wellbeing room also hosts lunchtime mindfulness sessions for students, and provides a space for our 50+ trained peer mentors to be available for drop in sessions during break and lunch. We also have full provision to support the mental wellbeing of our learners, through access to school counsellors and external agencies where required.
Through the pastoral care system, all students can feel supported in order that they are able to self-actualise and fulfil their ambitions.
Full detail of the Headstart project, along with associated resources can be found here:
“The excellent relationship between students and their teachers lies at the heart of the School’s success” - OFSTED 2014
PSHEE
A comprehensive PSHEE & SMSC program is delivered via Religious, Philosophy and Ethics lessons, daily tutor periods, Enrichment Days and Enrichment weeks. Over 2 calendared weeks per academic year is given over to enrichment to ensure our students develop wider skills alongside academic excellence. Older students mentor younger students to help with individual subject study, organizational skills, homework and revision. Learning Mentors are also available to support students, if required, with their learning. Specialist staff are available to provide careers advice, health advice and the School does provide an independent counselling service.
The Form Tutor and Heads of Year are responsible for the care and support of students along with their academic progress by working closely with parents. This positive and effective partnership between home and School is a key strength of Barton Court and ensures that children’s well-being and personal development are outstanding.
Houses
There are five houses at Barton Court Grammar School. Each year group is divided into house based tutor groups:
The House system is designed to foster a sense of community and healthy competition. Houses compete in sporting events, charity fundraising and other house competitions throughout the year. Barton Court points gained by students for academic, community and extracurricular excellence are totalled at the end of each year for the house cup, which is presented to the winning house. Each house is led by a member of the leadership team and Sixth Form house captains. The culminates at the end of the year with one house winning the prestigous Barton Court House Cup.
