We believe the Pastoral care of pupils is a real strength of the Dixie Grammar School. Students' progress in all areas of the School is supported by our strong pastoral system. The School aims to provide the kind of support that allows every student to flourish and grow to their full potential, not only in academic terms, but also as well rounded young adults ready to face the demands and challenges of a rapidly changing international world.
We expect students to grow to understand themselves as individuals, their relationships with others, and to participate in society as informed, competent, and caring people. The Dixie Grammar School's ethos fosters inclusivity and integration and, whilst individuality is cherished, students are expected to show respect to all members of the School community.
The School's pastoral structure ensures that students are helped to make the most of the opportunities on offer. Achievement, attainment and success are openly celebrated and students are encouraged through a reward system for excellence, effort and responsibility.
Pastoral care is led by the Deputy Head (Pastoral). Form Teachers have day to day responsibility for the pastoral and academic oversight of their form members. Form Teachers are supported by Heads of Section who respond to any concerns from subject teachers and form tutors and formulate action if it is needed. The Deputy Head (Pastoral) is available for consultation or for support, should initial concerns continue despite formulated actions having taken place. The pastoral programme develops throughout the Senior School and through work in weekly PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) lessons. Here, through a wide range of activities across and beyond the curriculum, students gain practical knowledge and skills to help them live healthily and deal with the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues they face as they approach adulthood. We expect students to see themselves as both individuals and as members of the School and a larger community.
A particular strength of the School is the relationship between students. The older ones support younger students, and develop a sense of responsibility through opportunities, for example, to become Form Prefects. Students are also encouraged to show responsibility to the community by raising issues and discussing responses with their forms, thus creating ownership for decisions made at School Council.
In the Sixth Form students are encouraged to take on more formal responsibilities, and they may be nominated to become a Prefect or be elected for Head Boy or Head Girl positions.
Communication with parents is at the heart of our Pastoral Care. If you have any concerns about the welfare of your children there are a number of ways you can raise these. In the first instance please use the planner to communicate minor issues; the Form Teacher will likewise write in the planner anything s/he thinks you should be aware of. Subject teachers may also communicate with you via the planner and concerns of a specific nature should be raised with the subject teacher or Head of Department. If the concern is more significant please do feel free to ask your son/daughter's Form Teacher to telephone you. If a matter of concern cannot be resolved at this level the Section Head will become involved and indeed, if necessary, the Deputy Head (Pastoral or Academic).
Ms C M Young, Deputy Head (Pastoral Care)
youngc@dixie.org.uk Tel.01455 292244