Pastoral Care in the Senior School
Pastoral Care Team
Senior school pastoral care is directed by three members of the senior management team designated respectively Head of Lower School, Head of Upper School and Head of Sixth Form. Each School Head works closely with the Form Tutors in their team who mentor individuals to ensure that every girl receives support, appropriate to her needs, at every stage of her progress through the Senior School.
Lower School
The Lower School, comprising Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, provides a distinct identity within the larger school community for the youngest group of senior school pupils.
The main objective is to ease the sometimes difficult transition from primary school whilst, at the same time, encouraging the individuals' inherent enthusiasm and creativity.
Further, the Lower School aims to equip each pupil with improved organisational and social skills appropriate to their increasing level of maturity. To this end, some extra-curricular activities are organised purely for the Lower School.
Within the Lower School, form rooms are physically grouped by year group, this further enables pupils to socialise within the whole year group and feel secure in their surroundings.
Preparing for GCSEs
Year 9 is an important period of change and preparation for GCSE study and pupils will come to an understanding that, with increasing maturity comes increasing responsibility.
The aim of our pastoral team is to guide and support pupils as they develop more effective ways of learning and interacting in anticipation of the crucially important years ahead.
Pupils are guided through the all important GCSE options choices and they are encouraged to make sensible and reasoned decisions, using a variety of information sources including the PHSE course and the Careers Service Connexions programme.
Upper School
Development of the individual is a theme that continues through the Upper School. Although the key focus is upon academic achievement at GCSE level, the pastoral team will build upon the new skills and self awareness developed in the earlier years. The pastoral team seeks to nurture a culture of scholarship, independent learning and critical thinking in order that each may fulfill their true academic potential.
Preparing for Sixth Form
During Year 11, guidance is given to each individual pupil with regard to subject choices and suitability for Sixth Form study. As well as the regular feedback through the reporting system, each pupil and their parents attends an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team to ensure they are making the most appropriate decisions for their future developments.
Prior to starting their A Level studies, pupils in Year 11 participate in a comprehensive induction programme to ensure that they make the right choice of A Level subjects. Each girl has the opportunity to 'shadow' A Level lessons, participate in a workshop led by Year 13 students on subject choices in addition to regular mentoring both pre and post mock GCSE results.
External candidates are interviewed and, if accepted, invited to spend a day shadowing lessons in subjects they wish to study.
Sixth Form
In the Sixth Form, the PHSE programme focuses not only on health and social issues but on preparing students for life beyond the Sixth Form. Pupils are given many opportunities to develop skills of independent learning and time management, essential requirements for study at degree level.
Preparation for post 18 begins in Year 12. As part of the PSHE programme girls are exposed to a range of presentations from Ernst and Young, Deloitte, Gap Year organisations and university admissions tutors. We believe that informed students are better prepared to make the choices that are right for them.
Parents are involved in the UCAS process by being invited to an Information Evening. Students continue to be closely mentored throughout Sixth Form to ensure they achieve their full potential.
All of these most desirable aims are reinforced throughout the Sixth Form, at which time pupils are prepared for their future in the world beyond. Respect for uniqueness and a desire to support each girl in developing her individual skills and talents underpins the whole life of the school.
We believe that our girls experience a wide range of learning opportunities that will prepare them for success in the 21st century. The school is firmly committed to achievement, individuality and community spirit.
GCSE Results 2010
Following on from last week's successful A Level results, Alderley Edge girls are celebrating again with the release of GCSE results.