The school is led by the Headmaster, under the direction of the school’s Governing Body. The Headmaster is supported by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), consisting of Deputy and Assistant Headteachers and the school’s Business Manager. All members of SLT (including the Headmaster) have responsibility for defined areas of the school’s activities. The school’s Senior Leaders also line manage Heads of House and Heads of Department.
In their day-to-day lives, boys mostly come into contact with their form tutors and subject teachers. All members of teaching staff except members of SLT, Heads of House, and Newly Qualified Teachers may also be form tutors. A form tutor has the responsibility of monitoring each tutees academic progress and overall well-being, and initiating appropriate intervention as and when necessary. A boy’s Form Tutor is normally the first point of contact for
- routine matters, including ordinary absence
- private issues including family matters
- progress or discipline
S/he will be the teacher who knows the student best and will be best placed to help in a wide range of areas of concern. We hope that all parents will quickly get to know their son’s Tutor. Routine letters such as absence notes, general information, requests for information etc. can be addressed to the Form Tutor.
Tutors are monitored and supported by Heads of House. A boy’s Head of House will automatically become involved by the Form Tutor in any matters that are not ‘routine’. If we have serious concerns about a student then it is likely to be his Head of House who contacts parents. As the Heads of House are each responsible for the welfare of more than 200 boys, we prefer it if the Head of House is not routinely contacted. Parents should contact the Head of House if they have already raised a matter of concern with the Form Tutor but are unhappy with the outcome.
Should parents have any questions or concerns about any of their son’s lessons it is best if they take up these concerns with the relevant subject teacher. They will always be grateful if potential difficulties are raised with them at the earliest possible opportunity, so that they have time to address any issues before they become serious. Subject teachers are also best-placed to suggest ways in which parents can help and support their son in his academic studies.
Each department is led and managed by a Head of Department, who has the responsibility of monitoring and developing the subject’s provision and ensuring that all students following courses within the department are making at least adequate progress. The Head of each Department should be contacted if parents are unhappy with the response that they have received from the subject teacher or if they have a more serious subject-related matter to raise. The Head of Department may not know their son, but s/he will be able to investigate matters and give general information.
The school has a small but highly effective Individual Learning Needs (ILN) department, which includes our Special Educational Needs section and which is overseen by the school’s SENCO, (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) Mrs C Wood. Students are often supported in and out of lessons by a number of teaching assistants.
Members of the school’s Senior Leadership Team will automatically be informed of serious matters by the Heads of House or Heads of Department. If parents are dissatisfied with the outcome of any issues that have already been raised with a Head of House or Head of Department, then a member of SLT should be the next point of contact.
The work of teachers in the school is underpinned by dedicated and talented support staff.