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EVERY CHILD MATTERSAs a small school we have the privilege of knowing each individual child. Good relationships are at the heart of every successful school. Our family environment enables us to provide a high level of personal care and support. The Section/Pastoral SystemThe way in which we care for our students is different from that in most schools and we believe it is this that helps us to create our unique family atmosphere.
In Year 7 students are placed in their own registration groups which are located in a separate part of the school. The Year 7 tutor team are specialists in dealing with the needs and concerns of our newest students. They help to make the transition from primary school easier, working closely with our partner schools to ensure the youngsters feel happy and secure. We do this because we know that the first concern of parents is that their child is happy and secure. From Year 8 onwards students are placed in a Section. There are four Sections identified by colours. Within a Section children are placed with a tutor group. Tutor groups consist of different ages and are looked after by the Form Tutor. Children in the same family may be in the same tutor group if parents request this. From Year 8 onwards students will have the same Form Tutor and Head of Section. Tutor groups are together for tutor periods, assemblies and other special occasions. Our pastoral system has many benefits:
Students are also supported in other ways. The Learning Support Centre offers support for children who are having difficulties - for example, experiencing emotional or attendance problems. The school also employs a counselor for students who have personal difficulties, as well as a mediator who helps students to resolve social problems with their peers. Student ResponsibilitiesAt Walton-le-dale we encourage students to take on additional responsibilities. Students have opportunities to be team captains and register monitors, for example. Many of our students are trained mentors for younger students. Other students act as mediators when youngsters fall out with each other. We also have very active Section Councils and a School Council. Recently the School Council has been responsible for the purchase of lockers, the provision of a water fountain and healthier food options at lunchtime. Anti-Bullying PolicyAt Walton-le-Dale we place a strong emphasis on students being happy. We know that happy students are successful students. We therefore take student relationships very seriously. Respecting and valuing other people are constantly reinforced in assemblies, in lessons, through the tutor period and in the way we deal with each other on a daily basis. Students sometimes fall out with others. When such occasions arise pastoral staff may become involved. Alternatively an adult mediator, together with trained student mediators, might help resolve the problem. Occasionally a student will experience bullying. This happens in all schools but at Walton-le-Dale we will always take action to sort out the bullying. This will involve providing appropriate support for the victim, as well as ensuring that the perpetrator is dealt with. View our Anti-Bullying Policy in full. The Care and Control of Pupils and the Use of Reasonable ForceIf staff become aware of, or have a need to become involved in situations where a child may be at risk of hurting themselves or others, or if the behaviour of a child seriously disrupts good order in the school or causes damage to property, staff may need to take steps to intervene physically. In such circumstances, staff will follow the school's policy for dealing with such situations. Any parents wishing to view this policy may do so on request. Child ProtectionA young person may make disclosures for which the school is obliged to take action under the LEA Child Protection procedures. This action may include contacting Social Services or the Police. We will always do so with sensitivity and with the best interests of the youngster at the heart of what we do. The acceptance of a place at Walton-Le-Dale Arts College & High School also means acceptance of the school rules and its disciplinary procedures |