Our Pastoral Lead
Our pastoral lead at Stimpson Avenue Academy is James Mackness.
Our Pastoral Leader is here to:
- Listen
- Offer support
- Promote positive behaviour
- Identify the barriers to learning and set targets
- Offer encouragement and build self-esteem and confidence
Who does our Pastoral Leader work with?
- Individuals and groups of children
- Teachers and other members of staff
- Parents/carers
- External agencies such as; Social Services, Police, Health Professionals, Education Welfare Service, Doctors and nurses.
The Role of the Pastoral Leader
For children:
- Build confidence, raise self-esteem and motivation
- Improve social skills, form relationships with friends, family and staff
- Improve attendance and punctuality
- Remove barriers to learning
- Help children to achieve their potential
For families:
- Improve support and communication between home and school
- Access to outside agencies and someone to talk to in confidence
For school:
- More effective and efficient communication between parents/carers, teachers and outside agencies
Which children are likely to benefit?
There are many young people and families who benefit from being supported by our Pastoral Leader, especially those who may not receive extra support out of school.
These children include:
- Pupils with poor attendance or punctuality
- Underachieving pupils
- Those with low self-esteem/motivation
- Pupils having difficulties at home
- ‘Looked after’ children
- Pupils suffering from behavioural problems
- Those who are victims of abuse
- Pupils who have experienced bereavement
- Those with medical problems
What strategies does our Pastoral Leader use to help a child further or reach their full potential?
- 1:1 mentoring session to discuss problems and address how these may be overcome via solution focus based approaches.
- Individual sessions focusing on particular issues such as bullying, attendance etc
- Group activities such as circle time and friendship groups
- Utilisation of child's own hobbies or interests to enhance performance
- Homework club/after school clubs
- Peer mentoring and budding
- Liaise with parents and other agencies when in best interest of the child/family and school.
What can parents/carers do to help?
- Discuss any concerns with the Pastoral Leader
- Talk to your child about concerns they may have and contact the school
- Seek advice and support from the Pastoral Leader at any time
- Attend parents evening
- Keep up to date with school news letters
- Read school website on a regular basis.
The Pastoral Leader is here to support, encourage both pupils and families to overcome challenges and any barriers to effective and creative learning both inside school and outside school. For this to be achieved realistically, excellent communication between school and home is essential.