Pastoral Care

The excellent pastoral care at Friends’ is built on positive relationships and aims to create the conditions in which pupils can thrive and make the most of the opportunities afforded to them, both in the classroom and beyond.

All members of staff work with pupils to support them in their learning and in their personal development. We encourage pupils to have high expectations of themselves in all areas of school life: in their conduct, in their engagement with others, in their academic subjects and in extra- curricular activities. Year Teachers, supported by Heads of each Key Stage, work with a team of Collect Teachers – our term for Form Tutors – and, as far as possible, there is continuity of care from Year 8 to Year 14. Collect Teachers meet with their classes every morning to monitor pupils’ attendance, progress and welfare.

Assemblies promote a sense of community and allow us to celebrate achievement. Led by staff and pupils, they focus on a range of moral, spiritual, social and personal issues. At the end of each assembly,
a short period of silence is observed, which allows space for reflection at the start of a busy day.

Our four Houses – Aughrim, Collin, Croob and Divis – are named after hills which can be seen from school. To allow family links to be established, pupils are generally allocated to the same Houses as brothers and sisters. House Assemblies and activities, led by staff and House Captains, promote a sense of belonging and foster good relationships across the year groups.

We enjoy a successful partnership with Tooled Up Education, which provides webinars and resources to support staff and parents as they work alongside our young people, helping them to navigate the challenges they face in life.

Our Designated Teacher takes responsibility for all Safeguarding issues, and our Safeguarding Policy acknowledges the duty of care of each member of staff towards each young person at Friends’. A qualified nurse works during school hours to provide medical care for those who require it, and appointments can be arranged on a weekly basis with two counsellors from external agencies who provide support on a range of issues.

Special Educational Needs

At Friends’, we aim to make provision for each one of our pupils in an inclusive environment, and to ensure that we meet individual needs.

All pupils have access to the full curriculum, and Personalised Learning Plans are drawn up to support those with statements of Special Educational Needs.

These are monitored and evaluated by a trained SENCo, in consultation with parents and members of staff, and shared with all those involved in each pupil’s education. Pupils participate in decisions regarding their SEN, including at the annual review of their statement. Once a picture of need has been established, reasonable adjustments are made in classroom practice and assessments to take account of additional needs for pupils.

Mentoring

We provide training for Sixth Formers so that they can take on responsibilities as pastoral and academic mentors to younger pupils. Three mentors are assigned to each Year 8 Collect group. They assist with the induction programme, working alongside the Collect Teachers and the Head of Year and getting to know the pupils individually. Mentors also provide an additional layer of support for those in Year 9.

Pupil voice

We want pupils to participate fully in their learning and give them the opportunity to share their views and influence decision-making in school. Each Collect elects a representative who sits on a council for each year group, and each year group in turn sends two representatives to the school council. At their meetings, they discuss items they bring forward for consideration and provide feedback for the school leadership team.

The school day

Pupils are expected to be in school by 8.45 each morning. Classes finish at 3.30pm Monday – Thursday and at the earlier time of 3.00pm on Fridays to allow for staff development.

There is a 15-minute morning break for all pupils and a 45-minute break for lunch, with separate sittings for Years 8-10 and for Years 11-14.

On Saturday mornings, there is generally a full programme of school games with parents invited to come and watch fixtures and enjoy refreshments from our Coffee Dock.