• Home Page
• Photo Gallery
• School Values
• School Facilities & Resources
• Arts Status
• Teaching & Learning
• Caring For Pupils
• Behaviour For Learning
• Home School Partnership
• Community Links
• School Policies
  • Admissions Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Examination Entry Policy
• School Information
  • The School Day
  • School Uniform
    • Uniform Regulations
    • Girls' Uniform
    • Boys' Uniform
    • Girls' Uniform Ordering
    • Boys' Uniform Ordering
  • Books & Equipment
  • Homework
  • Attendance & Punctuality
  • Lunch Arrangements
  • School Telephone
  • Transport
• School Term & Holidays
  • School Term Pattern 2009/10
  • School Term Pattern 2010/11
• Calendar of Events for Parents
• School Trips & Activities
  • Charging for School Activities
  • Insurance
• School Fund & Gift Aid Scheme
• Parent-Teacher Association
• School Governors
• Sports & Leisure Facilities
• The Staff
• School Results 2009
  • Key Stage 3 Results 2009
  • GCSE Results 2009
• Data Protection
• Downloads
• Job Vacancies
• Sure Start Children's Centre

Caring for Students at Walton-Le-Dale

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

As 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 helps us to provide a high level of personal care and support.

The Section System

The way we care for students is different from 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 in a separate part of the school. The Year 7 tutor team specialising in dealing with the needs and concerns of our new students. They help to make the transition from primary school easier, working closely with our partner schools. 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 4 sections identified by colour. Within a section students are placed in a tutor group. Tutor groups consist of children of different ages and are looked after by the Form Tutor. Students in the same family may be in the same tutor group if parents request it. From year 8 onwards students will have the same Form Tutor and Progress Co-ordinator. Tutor groups are together for tutor periods, assemblies and other special occasions.

There are 2 designated Key Stage Pastoral Managers. They are Mrs D McClelland and Mrs L Shaw with 2 study support Teaching Assistants - Mrs L Nicholson and Mrs S Walmsley. Year 7 is looked after by a team of tutors led by Mrs Green. This helps to make the transition from primary school easier to ensure the youngsters feel happy and secure.

Our pastoral system has many benefits:

• Staff get to know their form members very quickly and very well and are able to provide individual support
• Young people have opportunities to develop co-operation and a sense of responsibility. It is very noticeable how responsible older pupils become towards the younger ones in their tutor group.
• Continuity for pupils, parents and teachers makes caring easier.
• Parents have members of staff as their constant reference points. Parents get to know these staff very well and vice-versa.

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 counsellor for students who have personal difficulties.

Student Responsibilities

At 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 Policy

At 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.

Child Protection

Our ethos places the interests of the child first. We have strong systems to ensure our youngsters are safe and happy in school. Our procedures check all adults who have contact with students. Occasionally a young person may be experiencing difficulties outside school in which we have to take action under the Child Protection policy. We take such action carefully and sensitively, always with the interests of the children at heart.

The acceptance of a place at Walton-Le-Dale Arts College & High School also means acceptance of the school rules and its disciplinary procedures.

Text Email Sitemap