Pastoral
Pastoral Care relates to:-
- The academic progress of pupils
- The welfare of pupils
- The behaviour of pupils
In Ballyclare High School we are committed to developing lifelong learners in a caring creative community. We value the whole person and aim to promote the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development of all our pupils. Our school is appropriately ambitious in seeking to help pupils discover who they are and what they are uniquely gifted to be and do, in preparation for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life.
‘It takes a whole village to raise a child’ African proverb
Pastoral care extends beyond first and foremost parental responsibility to the family of our school and it is a top priority in our community. A joint school strategy exists where staff and parents work together and take time to support, listen and understand the experience of pupils. In this way, we endeavour to create emotionally and academically secure learning environments where pupils feel safe, valued and able to keep their anxieties and fears in perspective.
Pastoral Care is integral to everyday life in Ballyclare High School, it is not something that is boxed away or pulled out to whisk away problems. The 48 Form Tutors are key figures in the pastoral system and meet their class everyday providing a detailed knowledge of the needs of their pupils for the Heads of Year and their Assistants who work alongside them. They also deliver a comprehensive life skills programme each week incorporating aspects of personal development, citizenship and employability.
Ballyclare High School promotes a positive approach to behaviour but unpleasant, unacceptable, antisocial behaviour and in particular bullying will not be tolerated.
There is a Vice Principal responsible for pastoral care who works in partnership with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and the rest of the pastoral team.
Pastoral Care is integral to everyday life in Ballyclare High School
Even before you arrive we care, with our ….
- AQE arrangements for over 300 P7 pupils choosing to take the tests in Ballyclare High
- Primary liaison and visits by Head of Year and Assistant Head of Year 8
- Induction evening and events
- Primary school outreach programmes and
- Open Evening
All of which help children from over twenty feeder primary schools choose Ballyclare High as their choice for post primary education.
How do the pupils and parents rate Pastoral Care in Ballyclare High?
In an independent, external survey carried out by Kirkland Rowell, 1104 pupils surveyed rated the following as excellent in school:-
- The safeguarding arrangements, school discipline, control of bullying and
- 476 parents surveyed rated as excellent:-
- ensuring pupils do their best and make progress.
- explaining to parents how to help their child, the handling of complaints and
- 94% would recommend this school to another parent.
