Meet the Pastoral Team
Mr Curtis - Deputy Headteacher
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.
Ms Maxine Fox - 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 - 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!
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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
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Mr Swain |
Ms Lena Beattie |
Ms Taylor
Pastoral Admin
If you have any issues you wish to discuss please contact Lucy of the Pastoral Team on 023 8051 6745.
Further information is available via other links on the School Website.
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Attendance 
Mrs Kirby - Attendance Officer
She is ably assisted by Mrs Sivier in the administration team in
supporting your child’s attendance in school.
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 |
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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:
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.
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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 – teresa.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.
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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. |
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Guidance for Students
Bullying Is Wrong
Nobody has the right to hurt other people by hitting them, kicking them, calling them names, sending them threatening text messages, spreading rumours about them or by doing anything else which is intended to be upsetting.
People who bully try to justify their actions by saying that it is the other person's fault for being different. They may pick on someone who is tall or small, or fat or thin, or wears glasses, or has a different accent, or another religion, or is shy or clever, or good looking, or disabled or…Any excuse will do, and if there is no real difference then they will invent one.
If this is happening to you, tell yourself that it is not your fault and that it is the people who are bullying who need to change, not you.
Bullying is when someone tries to scare or pick on other people. People do this by saying they will do things to you, or by hurting you e.g. teasing, spreading rumours, not talking to someone, pushing, hitting, kicking, ruining someone's things.
Many people get into fights and arguments, and get teased from time to time. However, when it carries on and on then this is bullying. It can become a big problem for everyone.
Is bullying normal?
Many people get mixed up in bullying sometime at school. They may be bullied themselves, bully someone else, or see a friend being bullied. Most people fall out with someone at some point, but some people become regular bullies. Like everyone else, they need to learn that it's unfair and wrong to bully other people.
Why do children bully?
Children bully for all sorts of reasons:
They enjoy feeling powerful and think they can get away with it
They may feel good about themselves when they do it
Their friends tell them to do it, and it makes them feel popular
They may not understand or care how much it hurts to be bullied
They may think the other person deserves it or 'is asking for it'.
They have their own problems - they may feel upset or angry or feel that they don't fit in - perhaps they have problems at home?
Maybe they get bullied themselves, perhaps by someone in their own family or other adults?
They're scared of getting picked on so they do it first
They want to show off and seem tough
Many don't like themselves and so take it out on someone else
Some bullies may have been bullied themselves and many may have been badly treated in their own families
Do boys and girls bully in different ways?
Name-calling and teasing are the most common types of bullying, but boys often use their physical strength to bully others i.e. hitting, pushing etc. Girls are more likely to leave someone out or spread hurtful stories about them. This can be just as bad. The important thing to remember is that any type of bullying is very upsetting for the person being bullied.
Bullying matters for bullies to…
They might:
Feel lonely
They may believe they are bad and only worthy of punishment
They may feel scared no-one is stopping them
They might feel stuck
They might not be able to be friends with people, without being a bully.
They might be being bullied as well.
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What can be done?
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 (Free phone 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.
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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
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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 intra-net
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.
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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 Mentors 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. See Social Times Policy.
Staff and Prefects will be on duty at break time, lunchtimes, before and after school. See Duty Rotas published through the Social Times Policy.
The Anti-Bullying Charter will be on display around the school and regularly revisited. It is published 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 Anti Bullying Officer on bullying incidents and outcomes.
This information is published within the Safeguarding Report to Governors and discussed as part of the schools monitoring.
Responding to Bullying – The Role of the Pastoral Team, Tutor, Staff member
Report all bullying incidents to the Pastoral Team using the Referral Form. This can be found electronically on the Home Page.
“If in doubt report”.All incidents will be logged on the Bullying Log this is held by the Pastoral Administrator.
No action will be taken without consultation/agreement with the person being bullied.
Parents will be informed at the earliest opportunity and kept informed throughout the resolution and in further follow-up.
The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated thoroughly by the Anti-Bullying Officer 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 Anti- Bullying Officer will be undertaken to ensure that bullying has ceased and this information must be logged.
All statements will be kept in students files of all parties. The Bullying Log will hold all other information.
Restorative Approaches in Schools
What is it?
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.
The Restorative Team is supported by Mrs Hardwick, Mrs Ridout and Mrs Cunningham.
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.
For more information on managing relationships and the school Relation Management Policy – click here.
