At Hurworth School, we believe that successful education is about more than academic achievement. Every student should feel safe, valued, supported and able to achieve their potential.
Our pastoral team supports students with their wellbeing, personal development, relationships, attendance, behaviour and wider experience of school. We work closely with students, families and staff to ensure that individual needs are recognised and that students have access to the right support at the right time.
Our 4R Values
These values underpin the way we support students and help them develop the confidence, independence and skills they need for life beyond school.
The Role of the Form Tutor
The Form Tutor is often the first point of contact for students and plays an important role in their day-to-day pastoral experience. Form Tutors develop positive relationships with the students in their form and get to know them as individuals.
Form Tutors support students by:
- Providing a consistent and familiar adult within school.
- Helping students develop positive relationships with their peers.
- Supporting students to demonstrate the school’s 4R Values.
- Monitoring attendance, punctuality and engagement.
- Celebrating students’ achievements and successes.
- Helping students develop good routines and organisational skills.
- Providing opportunities for students to discuss concerns or difficulties.
- Supporting students with their personal development.
- Raising concerns with the appropriate member of the pastoral team when additional support is required.
The Form Tutor is an important link between home and school and will often be one of the first members of staff to contact parents or carers if a concern arises.
The Role of the Head of Year
Each year group is supported by a Head of Year, who provides strategic and pastoral leadership for the students within their year group. The Head of Year works closely with Form Tutors, subject teachers, the wider pastoral team and families to monitor students’ progress and wellbeing.
Heads of Year may provide support in relation to:
- Attendance and punctuality.
- Behaviour and conduct.
- Student wellbeing.
- Friendship and relationship difficulties.
- Engagement with learning.
- Personal and social development.
- Transition between key stages.
- Student motivation and confidence.
- Significant changes in circumstances.
- Celebration of achievement and positive contributions.
- Coordinating additional pastoral support where required.
Where a student requires support beyond the day-to-day role of the Form Tutor, the Head of Year can coordinate appropriate interventions and work with other members of staff or external services where appropriate.
Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers
Strong communication between home and school is an essential part of effective pastoral care. Parents and carers know their children extremely well, and their insight can help us understand and respond to a student’s needs.
Communication may take place through:
- Form Tutors.
- Heads of Year.
- Pastoral staff.
- Parent/ Carer evenings and meetings.
- Telephone conversations.
- Emails and other school communication systems.
- Individual meetings where appropriate.
We also believe it is important to communicate positive news, not just concerns. We want parents and carers to hear about their child’s achievements, improvements and contributions to school life.
Where concerns arise, we aim to communicate early, clearly and respectfully. Our approach is to work collaboratively with families to understand the situation, identify appropriate support and agree practical next steps.
A Team Around Every Student
Pastoral care is a shared responsibility across the whole school. Although Form Tutors and Heads of Year have key pastoral roles, every member of staff contributes to creating a positive and supportive school environment.
Where additional support is required, students may be signposted to other members of the school’s pastoral or support team. This ensures that support is appropriate to the individual needs of each student.
Our ultimate aim is simple: to ensure that every student feels known, valued and supported, and is able to thrive both personally and academically.
