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	Pastoral Team Attendance Safeguarding Bullying Mediation Meet the Pastoral Team Over the last 12 months there have been a number of changes to the schools Pastoral Team in order to improve our service to the students and the communication with parents.  As a school we pride ourselves on the care and guidance given to our students both academically and pastorally.  We don’t always get it right, I’ll be the first to admit, but our expectations for all children are high and we work tirelessly to provide a service to children and families that enable all children to make the most of their time in school and the opportunities presented to them. My role encompasses Welfare, Pastoral Care, Attendance, Inclusion, Behaviour, Exclusions, Tutoring, The House System, Student Council, Safeguarding and Safety, SEN - Special Educational Needs including the Able, Gifted and Talented child. Mr Curtis - Deputy Headteacher       Ms Maxine Fox is the Pastoral Leader for Years 8-11. She is ably supported by Mr Ryan Swain and Ms Lena Beattie who are your key contacts in school should you have any issues. Mr Ian Creswell is the Pastoral Leader for Year 7. The Pastoral Team have a responsibility in supporting students through their time in school and supporting them in ‘calm and rough seas!’ Should a child be experiencing difficulties in any way they are here to help! They support children in a whole range of issues including:   Relationships Bullying Uniform Behaviour Attendance College Applications Personal matters Exam stress Health issues Exclusions Admissions In-Year transfer       ________ Mr Swain _______Pastoral Officer       _______Ms Lena Beattie _______Pastoral Officer ______Mr Ian Creswell _______Year 7 Leader   If you have any issues you wish to discuss please contact any member of the Pastoral Team. Further information is available via other links on the School Website. Attendance     Mrs Kirby, our Attendance Officer, supports your child’s attendance in school. She is ably assisted by Mrs Sivier in the administration team. Mrs Kirby works closely with the Local Authorities Educational Welfare Officer.       Attendance Matters At Cantell attendance is a serious matter. We are all working together to ensure students reach their academic potential and it is a well-established fact that poor attendance can have a negative effect on academic progress. We expect all children’s attendance to be above 95%. 90% attendance = ½ a day missed every week 90% attendance over 1 year = 4 missed weeks 90% attendance over 5 years = ½ a year missed Your child’s chance of achieving 5 A*-C grades at GCSE With 95% attendance = 77% chance With 94% attendance = 74% chance With 93% attendance = 60% chance With 92% attendance = 53% chance With 91% attendance = 44% chance School Absence Policy All students should arrive at school by 8.30am ready for learning. If your child is unable to attend school it is vital that you call and report the absence leaving a clear message detailing your child’s name, year group and the reason for absence.   Call: 023 80323111 Option 2 Between 8.00am and 9.00am   Parents You can support your child’s attendance by: Ensuring your child leaves for school on time every day Providing a written explanation for your child’s absence from school Not taking children out of school in term time e.g. please book medical and dental appointments after school Not taking family holidays during term time. This may result in a fixed penalty notice being issued. Holidays will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. You can download a copy of the Holiday Request form by clicking this link. Being sure of INSET Days. The school Calendar is published in advance, information is also available on the school website. We will support you child by: Recognising and rewarding Good attendance Regularly reporting your child’s attendance Informing you if your child’s attendance drops below 93% Informing you via our messaging service if your child is not in school and we have not heard from you Investigating poor attendance. Absence due to sickness for more than 3 days should be followed with a note from your Doctor Meeting with students with poor attendance and supporting them in making the necessary improvements Involving the Educational Welfare Officer should your child’s attendance drop below 90% and not show improvement following contact by the school Mrs Kirby is our school Attendance Officer and likely to be your point of contact should you have any concerns or issues.  Please feel free to give her a call at the school should you have any questions.   Safeguarding Cantell Maths & Computing College recognises that the welfare of the child is paramount and takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in its care.  ‘Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It includes issues for schools such as: pupil health and safety; bullying; racist abuse; harassment and discrimination; use of physical intervention; meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions; providing first aid; drug and substance misuse; educational visits; intimate care; internet safety; issues which may be specific to a local area or population, for example gang activity; schools security.’ OfSTED All children have the right to be safeguarded from harm or exploitation whatever their race, religion, first language or ethnicity gender or sexuality age health or disability political or immigration status Governors, staff and volunteers in this school understand the importance of working in partnership with children, their parents/carers and other agencies in order to promote children’s welfare. We will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by: valuing them, listening to and respecting them involving them in decisions which affect them making sure all staff and volunteers are aware of and committed to the safeguarding policy and child protection procedures sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving children and their parents/carers appropriately recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made adopting a code of conduct for all staff and volunteers providing effective management through induction, support and training ensuring staff and volunteers understand about ‘whistle blowing’ dealing appropriately with allegations/concerns about staff or volunteers, in accordance with Government guidance. Follow the links for: Safeguarding Policy Child Protection Policy   Bullying Concerned about Bullying? Don’t be. Cantell Maths & Computing College recognises that the welfare of the child is paramount and takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in its care.  _________________________________________________________________________________________ The school will endeavour to undertake the following actions to minimise the risks of bullying: All adults are responsible for establishing a welcoming and caring atmosphere within the school and within the classroom. Students must be made to feel proud of their school, encouraging them to become involved in the life of the school. Team building exercises and group work will encourage students to work together in harmony and a range of activities should be included within the curriculum to encourage group work, participation and working together. Prefects and peer supporters will set a good example within the school enabling younger students to feel they can approach them and ask for advice. Frequent patrols will be made by all staff throughout the day to eliminate ‘hot spots’ around the school, such as toilets, hidden areas under stairs etc. Staff and Prefects will be on duty at break time, lunchtimes, before and after school. The Anti-Bullying Charter will be on display around the school and regularly revisited. Guidance for dealing with bullying will be in the student handbook. The Anti-Bullying Policy will be part of the school induction programme for all new staff. Time will be taken to listen to Student’s concerns. Regular assemblies delivering the ‘every child has a right to feel safe’ message. Regular monitoring and summary reports will be provided by the Bullying Officer through the schools Safeguarding monitoring. The school will undertake a regular review of Safeguarding through the Pupil Audit. If you have any concerns contact the following member of the Pastoral Team. Theresa Ridout – Anti-Bullying Officer – theresa.ridout@cantellschool.lpplus.net or a member of the Pastoral Team – maxine.fox@cantellschool.lpplus.net. All matters will be dealt with in confidence and investigated thoroughly. Any action taken will be in consolation. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________   The Cantell School Anti-Bullying Charter A-BC We believe that bullying is wrong, as such we are working together to eliminate it from our school and from the community. We believe that bullying is intentional and repeated emotional, physical, verbal or cyber abuse. We believe that it is important to inform others when bullying has occurred, as a school we must seek to encourage those who know to tell. We believe it important that we speak out against bullying. We must prevent bullying from happening.  We believe in taking action against bullying, actions that prevent bullying from happening and actions that prevent bullies bullying others. We believe in providing support for those who are being bullied, support that gives individuals back confidence and a belief in themselves and the school community. We believe in providing help and support to bullies in realising bullying is wrong that the impact of their behaviour affects more than just the person being bullied.   ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Information for Students Help is at hand – Mrs Ridout in the Pastoral Office is our Bullying Officer and can help! Are you being bullied? If you are being bullied here are some things you should do: Talk to someone you trust, such as a teacher, parent, older relative or friend.  Be persistent. If the first person you talk to doesn't help don't give up. Speak to someone else. If you can, write down everything that has been said or done to hurt you. Try to write down how you feel. When you have found someone you can trust discuss what you have written with that person. Be careful only to write down things that have really happened. Ask the person you talk to not to do anything without telling you about it first. You have a right to know what is being done on your behalf and to say whether you think it is a good idea or not. If you find it difficult to talk to an adult, ask one of your friends to come with you, or ask someone to talk to an adult on your behalf. You could telephone ChildLine (Freephone 0800 44 1111). Their helpers provide a confidential counselling service for young people in trouble or danger. Most importantly, do something. Sometimes bullying stops quickly, but doing nothing means it may continue until someone is seriously upset or hurt. That could be you, or the bullies may find someone else to pick on. If their behaviour is not challenged they are unlikely to stop. Here are some things you should not do: Don't try to deal with the problem on your own. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Don't hit the people who are bullying you. You might end up being accused of bullying yourself. Always tell the truth about what has happened. Don't exaggerate. If a small part of what you are saying is shown to be untrue then it throws everything else into doubt. Don't hide what is happening from the adults you trust. Keeping things secret is the bullies' biggest weapon. That is why they go to so much trouble to stop you telling. Helping a friend Maybe you're not being bullied, but you know someone who is - perhaps that person is not even a good friend, but a class-mate or someone from another class? Have you ever stood around and noticed that someone was being bullied, but you weren't sure what, if anything, you could do? Or thought that nothing you could do would make a difference? Don't ignore bullying. You can help. Don't let the bullies get away with thinking that no-one will do anything. Here are a few things you can do, and a couple that you can't: Don't rush over and take them on - it might not be safe and you don't want other people to think you are a bully Let a teacher or other adult know what's happening Try to be a friend to the person being bullied Refuse to join in Try to be friendly to the bully, but even if you can't be friends, being kind can sometimes help the bully stop bullying Sometimes you can't sort it out yourself. Ask an adult for help _________________________________________________________________________________________ Information for all Adults What Is Bullying? Bullying is the mental, physical, verbal or cyber abuse of another person that intentionally hurts, or harms. It is often repeated over a period of time. Bullying is destructive and interferes with educational achievements and affects students, parents and teachers. Bullying can be frightening, can cause illnesses and in extreme cases depression which may continue into their adult lives. Bullying includes: name calling making things up about a person throwing things at someone hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving stealing things damaging belongings taking money being left out spreading rumours and malicious gossip threats, intimidation and extortion making silent, or abusive phone calls sending offensive text messages, or photographs posting insulting messages on the internet or school intranet Bullying can happen anywhere at any time. However, the most common places tend to be: anywhere where adults may not be present in classrooms in corridors under staircases in toilets in the courtyards areas hidden from the main parts of the school on buses on the way to and from school in the local area Signs and Symptoms A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child: is frightened of walking to or from school doesn't want to go on the school / public bus begs to be driven to school changes their usual routine is unwilling to go to school (school phobic) begins to truant becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence attempts or threatens suicide, self-harm or runs away cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares feels ill in the morning begins to do poorly in school work comes home with clothes torn or books damaged has possessions which are damaged or "go missing" asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully) has dinner or other monies continually "lost" has unexplained cuts or bruises comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen) becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable is bullying other children or siblings stops eating is frightened to say what's wrong gives improbable excuses for any of the above is afraid to answer the phone. These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered as a possibility and should be investigated. It is important not to wait until bullying is reported through the school incident procedures. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Guidance for all Staff Prevention of Bullying All staff are responsible for establishing a welcoming and caring atmosphere within the school and within the classroom. Students must be made to feel proud of their school, encouraging them to become involved in the life of the school. Team building exercises and group work will encourage students to work together in harmony and a range of activities should be included within the curriculum to encourage group work, participation and working together. Prefects and peer supporters will set a good example within the school enabling younger students to feel they can approach them and ask for advice. Frequent patrols will be made by all staff throughout the day to eliminate ‘hot spots’ around the school, such as toilets, hidden areas under stairs etc. Staff and Prefects will be on duty at break time, lunchtimes, before and after school. The Anti-Bullying Charter will be on display around the school and regularly revisited. Guidance for dealing with bullying will be in the student handbook. The Anti-Bullying Policy will be part of the school induction programme for all new staff. Time will be taken to listen to Student’s concerns. Regular assemblies delivering the ‘every child has a right to feel safe’ message. Regular monitoring and summary reports will be provided by the Children and Family Support Officer who is also the Anti-Bullying Officer on bullying incidents and outcomes. Student voice listened to through the Anti-Bullying Questionnaire on a rolling program.  Analysis provided via the Anti-Bullying Officer. Responding to Bullying All incidents of bullying should be reported to the Pastoral Team using the referral form. Incidents are recorded by relevant staff, students on an appropriate Incident Form available from the Pastoral Office No action will be taken without consultation/agreement with the person reporting the bullying and the person being bullied. In some cases, parents of all parties will be informed and will be asked to come in for a meeting with a member of staff - this could be the Form Tutor or any member of the staff that has a good (impartial) relationship with both parties, to discuss the problem. This is usually a member of the schools RA Team. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying are investigated thoroughly by the RA/Pastoral Team and the bullying stopped quickly. If possible, the students will be reconciled. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour. A punishment such as exclusion can mark the seriousness with which an episode of bullying is viewed and can also help to provide a safer environment for victims. It also has to be recognised that some types of bullying are crimes. Schools are subject to the law of the land so the possibility of punishment in response to very serious incidents cannot be denied. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted. Regular follow up by the Bullying Officer will be undertaken to ensure that bullying has ceased. All records are kept in students files of all parties. Restorative Approaches in Schools What is it? Restorative Approaches provides an alternative to the belief that punishment will change behaviour and achieve compliance. It is an educative approach, helping those involved to learn how to change. Restorative Approaches can assist the development of, and repair of, relationships between students and adults. The approach is respectful of the dignity of all concerned. How will the model work at Cantell Maths & Computing College? The approach will require staff to be aware of the principles of the restorative process, and have the ability to apply them in resolving situations in their classes and in corridors. The principles of the approach include It focuses on harm and actively seeks ways of repairing harm Helping create dialogue and communication Ensures all are involved in a fair, open, and honest dialogue; treating all participants with respect A safe environment allowing all participants to engage, learn and gain a shared understanding Offering a structured intervention by which we help participants to understand each other, find resolutions to issues causing conflict and repair harm. Participants are given the opportunity to openly state their views, listen to others and acknowledge their views. This should lead to accepting responsibility, reparation, reintegration, restoration, and behavioural (and cultural) change. Simply The ‘Mediation Team’ work with students in helping them overcome any difficulties they might be having around the school, in lessons or with their peers.  Mrs Maddocks heads the Restorative Team, supported by Mrs Hardwick, Mrs Ridout and Mrs Cunningham. For more information on managing relationships and the school Relation Management Policy – click here.

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