On a Monday to Thursday pupils have a 20 minute PDL session with their tutor. During PDL, pupils work in small sized tutor groups.  Each tutor group has a mixture of pupils from each year group, three or four from each year.

This allows the  tutor to know every pupil well, allows them to mentor and monitor the development of potential in each pupil and helps to promotes equal opportunities for all pupils.  It also allows for greater parent partnership, enhanced pupil voice and leadership, and encourages good citizenship

 PDL allows us pupils and tutors to focus on the following:

• Development of confidence and self esteem
• Encourage a sense of belonging
• Development leadership and mentoring opportunities
• Support learning
• Release individual and organisational potential
• Allow students to feel valued

PDL activities are varied during the year, but the overall aim is to:

• Hold conversations about learning either 1:1 or whole group
• Allow older pupils to support younger pupils (share experiences)
• Allow older pupils to support in areas such as mentoring or reading
• Develop Pupil Voice
• Develop community and House activities
• Monitor progress of pupils through data and progress reports
• Focus on specific objectives for individuals (year group priorities)

Tutor time is also used effectively by tutors to support the pastoral care of pupils.  Planner signing, tutor mentoring and tracking along with attendance/behaviour and uniform checks are activities that are embedded each day in our tutor time activities.

Our PDL programme for 2017/2018 – will include activities to promote PSHE.  We will do this by:

• Maintaining respect, rights and responsibilities by adopting a school charter  (UNICEF RRSA)

• Involving pupils  in devising and agreeing a set of ground rules or a working agreement that are related to a specific topic in PSHE (through Pupil Voice)

• Clear learning outcomes and expectations

• Distancing techniques (for example: what might a child in Y7 be worried about, instead of what are staff delivering the session worried about).

• Guidance for pupils  on what to share and what confidentiality means and limits of teacher confidentiality

• Sign-posting information about where to get further help in and outside of school (through display boards, newsletter, school website, Facebook etc)

The PSHE curriculum will take a positive approach which does not attempt to induce shock, fear or guilt but focuses on what pupils can do to keep themselves healthy and safe and to lead happy and fulfilling lives. 

Pupils will be encouraged to reflect on their learning and the progress they have made, and to transfer what they have learned to say and to do from one school subject to another, and from school to their lives in the wider community.

Opportunities will be provided for pupils to make real decisions about their lives, to take part in activities which simulate adult choices and where they can learn key vocabulary, practice skills and demonstrate their ability to take responsibility for their decisions. 

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the PSHE programme with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.