27th June 2023
At Ballakermeen High School we pride ourselves on offering the best possible pastoral support to all of our learners. Whilst this support is multifaceted, the central figures are the Form Tutor, the Year Leader and the Pastoral Support Team.
Following a review of how we can best support our students, we have committed to move to a zoning system whereby specific areas of the school will be assigned to certain year groups. This follows the successful trial of a dedicated zone for our current Year 7.
The rationale behind this change is as follows:
- It allows the Head of Year and Pastoral Support Team to visit tutorials every morning.
- Important messages can be passed on and delivered efficiently.
- Issues can be picked up daily and information passed on without the need for students to miss learning during lesson times.
- Heads of Year can manage the consistency of key tutorial activities.
In addition to the zoning we will also introducing a Year 7 induction team. This specially trained group of tutors will support students to transition smoothly from Year 6 into Year 7. These staff members, alongside their designated Head of Year, will nurture and direct students to develop the Ballakermeen learner attributes and instil our values of Kindness, Honesty and Respect. Year 7 students will remain with their induction tutor for one year before being placed with a new tutor at the start of Year 8. This new tutor will then remain with the students from Year 8 through to Year 11, with changes only taking place in the event that the staff member moves to another school, retires, or has a key change of role.
In order to effect these changes, there will need to be some reorganisation this September. Where possible, students moving from Year 10 into Year 11 will remain with their current Form Tutor. In all other year groups there will be some movement. You will be notified of what this looks like imminently. It is hoped that by informing staff, students and families well in advance of the new academic year, all parties will have the time to prepare for the changes.
We have long prioritised a strong relationship between families and form tutors, and we will continue to do so. However, for this year only, as you can see, there will be a requirement to make the adjustments referenced above. Whilst we appreciate there will be individuals that would like to keep their current tutor, these changes are designed to enhance our effectiveness and for the long-term benefit of all students at Ballakermeen. You can be assured that all our tutors are committed to providing the very best pastoral care for your children.
Yours faithfully,
Graeme Corrin, Headteacher