Year 8

Year 8 Pastoral Staff

Progress Manager	Mrs R. Pugh	Room Number
E	Miss E. Jones	410
D	Mrs L. Tucker	502
U	Mrs J. Evans	503
C	Mr D. Woods	304
A	Mr M. Thomas	504
T	Miss M. Rees	506

The emphasis in Year 8 is on nurture and reinforcing the initiatives put into place, during the transitional phase in Year 6, with the Head of Year being the first point of contact. These initiatives include the following:

Visits to Primary Schools to meet with parents and children: This provides an opportunity for any questions to be asked and relevant information to be relayed.
Open Evening in the Comprehensive School: This serves to enable, both parents and children, to meet the school staff and sample what is offered within Departments.
Technology Challenge : A competitive element to this team building activity adds to the enjoyment, whilst providing Year 6 with another opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Comprehensive school.
Induction Day: The children experience a full timetable of activities in the school, during a complete school day. This includes meeting subject staff and Form Tutors.
Invitations to attend Drama Productions and Sporting Events: These invitations to view various plays, fashion shows and take part in various sporting activities, aim to encourage smooth transition.
Summer Camp: Every year, Year 6 Pupils enjoy both team and confidence building activities in this highly successful activity.
Transitional Themes within Core Subjects
These units are incorporated into the Year 6/7 curriculum to promote academic development.

‘On Track’ team members are on site, to provide a necessary link between schools and provide a familiar face for the Pupils that they had contact with , in the Primary schools. An additional ‘On Track’ session day is held each week, over a specified period of time and this provides additional support for parents and children if needed.

There are opportunities to join various Nurture groups and’ Eye to Eye’ counselling sessions are available on referral.

The school works closely with CAMHS, in order to further support pupils’ emotional development and well being.

Intensive Behavioural Support is also offered within the Support Unit as is Re-integration Support, to aid pupils who have returned after substantial absence.

The school’s ‘Family Liaison Officer’ provides a vital link between the school and the community and works closely with all the agencies, monitoring pupils and managing referrals.

There is also a Mediation Service which is offered by Year 12/13.This provides an additional forum for pupils to voice feelings, opinions and concerns.

The school has a very strong Anti-Bullying Policy which is enforced positively. One of the many measures adopted is that of ‘Restorative Justice’ which, in liaison with RCT Education Authority, has proved to be a very effective method of promoting better relationships between pupils.

The Daily Report System is also used effectively, to monitor and record both behaviour and attendance.

Year 7 pupils are placed into mixed ability form groups with other members of their primary schools, in order to promote a smooth transition.

During Registration periods, they participate in the Literacy Project which encourages them to read from a wide and varied selection of literature. They are then able to complete written/oral tasks, based on the books read and receive certificates for achievement. Earlier this year, Year 7 pupils, raised a considerable sum of money for ‘Readathon’ and were photographed for ‘The Cynon Leader’.

Education Business Partnership activities take place during Year7 and these involve various companies working with Year 7, to promote the idea of ‘The World of Work’. The children then give informative presentations, to the rest of the Year group.

The Lepra Workout is a popular charitable event, which takes place each year. The pupils take part in a sponsored aerobic dance routine which raises money to combat Leprosy in different countries.

The academic progress of the pupils is closely monitored by the Head of Year via the Broadsheet system which records the Key assessments, via the analysis of predictive data and KS2 results. Regular book checks are carried out and information relayed to parents, as and when is necessary.

The school operates a Reward System which serves to encourage good behaviour and positive attitudes towards work and seeks to accelerate learning. Good attendance is also rewarded, via the Education Welfare Officer, who presents prizes to those who achieve acceptable levels of attendance i.e. 90% or above.

Pupils who have successfully met all the relevant goals (presentation, effort, meeting deadlines and attendance of 95% or above) are also rewarded with the receipt of an EBP ‘Compact Certificate’ at the end of Year 7.

Attendance is closely monitored, with weekly meetings between the Education Welfare Officer and Heads of Year. There is a Truancy Call System in place which seeks to give parents an early warning, of possible problems.

Attendance Panels are held, in the presence of relevant support staff and Heads of Year.