Form Tutoring for New Entrants

By Jonathan Robinson

Director of Teaching School

(09.06.15)

IN LOCO PARENTIS?

ADOLESCENCE

INFORMATION DESK

GUIDE

SUPPORT

TEACHER

CAREERS

ADVISOR

LIAISON OFFICER

COUNSELLOR

BANKER

TUTOR

LEADER

SURROGATE PARENT

UMPIRE / REFEREE

ADMINISTRATOR

RINGMASTER

PROBLEM SOLVER

FOUNT OF ALL

KNOWLEDGE

MANAGER

ARBITRATOR

CONSOLER

FRIENDLY EAR

FRIEND-LIKE

ROLE MODEL

BRIDGE BUILDER

ARGUABLY THE MOST UNDERRATED RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SECONDARY

SCHOOL!

REMEMBER: As an NQT you are not expected to take on full responsibilities as a form tutor initially, although you are likely to be attached to a year group and will shadow / work closely with an established form tutor.

Why is the role of Form Tutor so important?

• ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING COHESIVE AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS

• ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THE SCHOOL’S ETHOS AND STANDARDS

• LIAISING BETWEEN STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES, PARENTS AND EXTERNAL AGENCIES: COMMUNICATION

Being a Form Tutor• Registration, messages / notices• Rewards: e.g. Commendations / Merits• Report writing and parents’ evenings• Academic reviews and tutoring• PSHE• Learning in Form Time• Sanctions: e.g. Behaviour management / Attendance / Punctuality• Awareness of abuse: Physical, Psychological, Sexual• Enforcing school policies: e.g. uniform• Extra-curricular activities: trips, clubs, Secret Santa, birthdays, form parties• Sports day / inter-form events• Charity work• Year council / School council• Delivering assemblies / attending assemblies• Supporting students’ endeavours: e.g. concerts, events, productions• An awareness of adolescence and child psychology• An awareness of and interest in teenage trends

YEAR 7

• Settling in, transition and routines: c.f. role of teacher in primary school

• Establishing a positive class dynamic and atmosphere

• Building relationships• Organisational skills and independence• Developing high standards – having high

expectations• Study skills THE TRANSITION

YEAR

Year 8

• Girls!!!

• Managing money

• Aspirations

The forgotten year

Year 9

• Boys!!!

• Options: Changes and Choices

• Opportunities

• Guidance and support

• Sexuality

• Behaviour THE REBELIOUS YEAR

Year 10

• Study skills

• Managing workload

• Lifestyle choices

• Illegal Drugs, Sex, Alcohol, Smoking

THE EXPERIMENTATION

YEAR

Year 11

• Stress management

• Exams

• Targets

• Future education / employment

• Work experience

• References

• Leaving ball / party THE MAKE-OR-BREAK YEAR

Year 12 and 13

• New relationships• Entering adulthood• Independence• Responsibility• Rights• Higher education• Employment• References• One-on-one

THE LONGING

YEARS

Fascinating Reads!• Blackburn, K. (1975). The Tutor. Heinemann

Educational Books: London• Marland, M. and Rogers, R. (2004). How to be

a successful form tutor. Continuum: London• Startup, I. (2003). Running your tutor group.

Continuum: London• Watson-Davis, R. (2005) Form tutor’s

pocketbook. Teachers’ Pocketbooks: Alresford

What some students have to say about their form tutor

“He is wonderful, because he’s funny.” – Charlotte, Yr9

“She knows everyone’s names and bothers to find out people’s interests. She will go out of her way to help you.” – Shekira, Yr11

“How a form teacher should be? – Approachable, friendly and understanding. Able to take a joke. Basically like a friend (but able to exert control when necessary).” – Zoë and Ross, Yr13

“I would like it if she would understand if you are in trouble or you are upset.” – Girl, Yr8

“They should be fair in everything they do … and try to include everyone …” – Boy, Yr8

The Pastoral Career Path

• Form Tutor• Charities Co-ordinator / Chair of School

Council• Head of Student Voice• Head of Year / Head of Student Progress • Head of Lower School / Head of Upper

School / Head of Sixth Form• Assistant Head (Pastoral) / Assistant Head

(Child Protection Officer)