Pastoral at Turton School
Turton School pastoral support aims to equip every child to be ready to learn in their lessons.
A firm approach delivered with empathy, ensures all students can meet our high expectations. This enables all our students to achieve the outcomes they are capable of. The pastoral team of year heads and mentors, is able to meet the diverse needs of all our students, at all stages of their time at Turton.
(Assistant Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead)
(Whole School Behaviour Lead)
(Pastoral Mentor Manager & Deputy Safeguarding Lead)
(Mental Health Nurse)
(Pastoral Mentor)
(Attendance Officer)
(Head of Year 7)
(Head of Year 8)
(Head of Year 8)
(Head of Year 9)
(Head of Year 10)
(Head of Year 11)
(Head of Year 12)
(Head of Year 13)
(Mentor & Deputy Safeguarding Lead)
(Mentor & Deputy Safeguarding Lead)
Here at Turton we want our students to feel supported in every aspect of school life, ensuring they are settled in school and can flourish in their academic studies. Every child is an individual, and pastoral care has a core set of values, in our Hive Switch, complemented by tailored support for each individual student.
The Hive Switch sets a purposeful climate for learning in every classroom, while developing skills like review, meeting deadlines and working individually; all skills needed to excel in public exams at 16 and 18.
Year 7
The transition process this academic year differed substantially to our norm. However, we believe at Turton pupils fit in very quickly with the help of older students, form tutors and the pastoral team surrounding the year group.
Pupils very quickly learn to manage a very different school experience where they work on skills of organisation and resilience as they juggle a 25+ period a week timetable. In their first term they begin to make new friends for life, learn about new subjects and settle into a routine. This can be quite a challenging time for some, however support and guidance from the pastoral team is available.
Form is a structured time where students have a calm start to the day and we ensure they are ready to learn. In form time, we introduce the pupils to Wonder Reading, which promotes reading and comprehension skills on inquisitive topics. We also work on their maths skills through the Numeracy Ninjas scheme. With the help of form tutors, home and the pastoral team we begin to
ensure that the grammar (key knowledge) students come across in the classroom becomes embedded. Homework is set by all subjects once per week in order to encourage this learning and review outside of the classroom. Each student has a personalised homework timetable so that they can organise their time effectively.
Team building opportunities are planned throughout the year to support pupils’ new friendships and develop confidence. There are trips in Faith and Ethics, English, Geography and Languages also provide a wealth of experiences for our pupils. They are encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular clubs in Music, PE and the creative arts and embrace new experiences such as getting involved in the school production.
If you have any queries about your child in Year 7, their form teacher is the first point of contact. Form teachers have regular contact with parents of students in their form.
If you have anything further please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Mrs A Helmn
Head of Year 7
Year 8
Year 8 students will have, by now, developed a strong sense of belonging and will transition from being the newest pupils in school to being a settled member of our school community. We expect students at this stage to demonstrate courage and wisdom as they take on the opportunity to become positive role models to the younger Year 7 pupils.
Form time in year 8 is a structured, focussed start to the day and we expect students to arrive to form ready to learn. During this time, we introduce students to Wonder Reading, where weekly articles from every subject area are read to the class, each designed to pique curiosity in the world at large. The reading is followed by a few comprehension questions, and a big question to provoke debate, and wonder about the world. We also continue to work on their maths skills through Numeracy Ninja’s and examine effective revision techniques through review as revision.
Homework is set by all subjects once per week and promotes regular review of the work taught in lessons, homework is structured to help our students get into strong habits of working at home and encourage independent learning. Each student has a homework timetable which can be found in their planners or via the homework tab on our website.
Pastoral leaders and group tutors will work closely with the year group to help them develop and maintain healthy friendships, build resilience and develop a strong sense of self-worth.
Mr M Sykes
Miss B Allcock
Heads of Year 8
Year 9
What can you expect for your child at Turton in Year 9?
Year 9 focusses on the importance of our Schools Trivium, by developing the grammar that has been embedded in year 7 and 8 and giving pupils the skills to use the dialectic and rhetoric into KS4. Students begin to focus their learning through their chosen mini options in order to get a taste of GCSE subjects before following a GCSE options pathway. Pupils will be faced with opportunities that will help them explore different ways of learning and revising to work upon their resilience before embarking on their GCSE’s.
From a Pastoral perspective, year 9 is a good time for us to continue to work with pupils to help them to maintain healthy friendships and to educate and support pupils around how to be responsible on social media. We will endeavour to uphold positive guidance and through the use of assemblies and form time a wide range of themes will be discussed to best support your childs personal development.
We hope throughout the duration of the year, the group tutors, mentors and home will support the pupils to model the behaviours and values that we follow at Turton in order to become role models to the younger (and older) years.
Miss J Brown
Head of Year 9
Year 10
Year 10 is a pivotal point in your child’s school career, the transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 being the most obvious. Students have now begun to specialise, having selected subjects in line with their career aspirations or natural aptitude. They are now well established within their school environment, and have built friendships and positive relationships with peers and staff alike. The next two years are about working as a team towards being the best they can possibly be – both academically but also as a well-rounded and caring individual.
Last year, GCSE students received ‘Centre Assessed Grades,’ as they were unable to sit their exams. It is with this in mind that we have adopted a ‘make every day count’ approach. Every lesson, homework and exam along the way, is a chance to influence their grade, and with the lion’s share of GCSE content undertaken in year 10, it’s imperative that no time is wasted.
Assemblies will look to develop good learning habits and equip our students sufficiently to deal with the turbulence of adolescence. When the ‘going gets tough’, as it inevitably will do in this year, there are mentors and support staff with a wealth of experience who can work with your child. We offer careers advice, KS5 Taster Days in the Sixth form. The team offer advice and guidance on revision techniques, managing stress and catch up sessions to ensure students stay on track. Reviewing work is a priority this year, and so during registration, students will look at the various methods of revision and review, in order to establish techniques best fitting their individual style of learning.
Pupils will also be expected in Year 10 to model the behaviours and values they would expect to see in the younger years. They are now young adults, who are working towards becoming prefects and other positions of responsibility.
In all of this, communication between home, pupils and staff is key. Please do not hesitate to get in touch no matter your concern.
Mr R Foy
Head of Year 10
Year 11
Your child’s final year is about demonstrating five years of learning academically, emotionally and socially. Our team is here to help your young adults to develop traits such as resilience, a sense of purpose, empathy and promoting themselves positively within ours and the wider community.
We will provide Year 11 with a purposeful environment that allows them to develop as characters, learn effectively, take educated risks and develop the skills necessary for a successful future. The team offer advice and guidance on revision techniques and managing stress as well as catch up sessions to ensure students stay on track.
We will also assist with their preparations for exams and their future careers with a team that is knowledgeable and caring and prepared to go the extra mile for our pupils. All we ask is that the year group work with us to give themselves the best opportunity for their future.
As the senior year group, pupils have the added pressure of modelling positive behaviours for our younger pupils. This responsibility provides them with a glimpse of the expectations required in their working lives. Our Staff aim to help our pupils to succeed by modelling the virtues that are expressed within the Turton Touchstones. Pastoral Leaders and group tutors will monitor pupils closely and provide intervention where necessary. At the end of five years of hard work we will celebrate our successes with a range of activities, including the year 11 Prom.
If you have anything you wish to discuss, please get in touch.
Mrs L Smith
Year 11 Pastoral Leader
Turton Sixth Form
Our aim is to provide you with the highest standard of academic and pastoral support to guide you on your path beyond college.
Our college is separate from the main school with its own classrooms and student areas. Class sizes are small and this means you will get the individual time and attention you need from subject teachers. We have a large sixth form leadership team whose aim is to guide you through your time with us and offer advice and intervention when necessary.
Courses are varied and we provide a range of enrichment opportunities to ensure our students are well developed learners with a real interest in the subjects they study. We have specialist tutors who you will see daily and will ensure you settle in quickly and get the most out of your time with us.
Our community is diverse and we have students from a wide range of schools and backgrounds. Our tutorial programme ensures we discuss issues that matter to you and the world beyond Turton. Additionally, our vibrant student council ensures there is always lots going on. This includes social, sporting and fundraising activities to give you opportunities to get involved and make new friends.
My aim is to ensure you are challenged, supported and successful, and I believe Turton is the place to make that happen.
Find out more at https://www.turtonsixthform.uk.com
Mrs K Bali
Director of Sixth Form
Mr P Koller
Deputy Director of Sixth Form
Careers
Turton prides itself on the range of opportunities and the bespoke support of students for all aspects of careers. Close collaboration with the National Collaborative Outreach Programme, sixth form colleges and also local employers ensure that all aspirations are catered for.
Students will receive help and advice via assemblies and form time and also have the opportunity to visit the dedicated careers office for more specialist advice. The regular careers page keeps form tutors, students and parents informed of the latest careers courses, apprenticeships, open days and also gives an insight into the mechanisms of job/ course applications plus a detailed look at select careers in the spotlight.
The journey of students through Turton is considered to be a seven year one, but this is not always possible so there is close liaison with the Bolton Connexions service to ensure that every student has the opportunity for unbiased careers advice for all the key transitions within school, particularly those from year 11 to post GCSE; this support will continue even after the students have left Turton if the need arises.
For any careers information contact Miss B. Allcock (allcockb@turton.uk.com or careers@turton.uk.com). Or our Connexions advisor Caroline Seddon (seddonc@turton.uk.com)
You can also check out our Careers Advice Page for more information.
If you or your child are at immediate danger please attend A&E or contact emergency services for support. If you are unsure please consider calling The Greater Manchester Mental Health Team 24/7 on 0800 953 0285
Turton’s Be Kind To My Mind Champions supporting Bolton’s campaign to reduce the stigma around mental health...
Mental Health...
Mental fitness, like physical fitness, fluctuates throughout our lives. We can all work to increase our mental fitness levels, which will give a protective measure when events outside our control challenge our wellbeing. Increasingly evidence shows that those with greater self-control and positive mental health are at a much reduced risk of developing physical ill health. Mental health not only determines our lived day to day experiences but also our life span and the quality of our life. The pandemic is an example of an event, outside of our control, that has challenged the mental fitness of many of us. In response to this challenge, there is an increased focus on mental health, generally, but more specifically on young people in schools.
According to the World Health Organization...
Mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’’.
Our mental health is positive, when we achieve a balance between how we think (the realisation of our abilities), feel (how we cope with normal life) and react (how we work productively, respond to others and so contribute to our community). To achieve this balance, in all areas of our lives, takes constant input and thought, it doesn’t just happen, we learn from others and from our experiences to value temperance as a way of achieving mental fitness.
In fact those with good mental health can be described as having the signature strengths of wisdom, courage, humanity, temperance and transcendence. These, along with justice, are the core values of Turton School making us uniquely placed to holistically support the mental health of our staff and students as we guide them academically, emotionally and socially.
We place a values led academic education at the heart of all we do...
This creates an ethos which has mental fitness woven into all aspects of school life. Mental health is a part of every one of us. It is, and does need to be part of our everyday curriculum and our interactions with each individual.
The Turton community puts humanity and courage at its heart; working together we create a network of support and guidance for students as they navigate the journey through school, to reach their full potential. Along the way, there are times where individuals find themselves out of balance and their mental health requires more attention and support. To help with this, we have put together a package of resources, with links on this page, which a student or their parent can use in times of need.
Cathy Bach
Deputy Head and National Education Leader in Mental Health
Holly Crosby
Mental Health Practitioner
Cathy Bach
Deputy Head and National Education Leader in Mental Health
Holly Crosby
Mental Health Practitioner
Useful Links...
24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text 85258.
Childline is a free, private and confidential service that you can access online and on the phone. They can provide help and support for people up to their 19th birthday.
Call free on 0800 1111 or go to the website for 1-1 web chat support.
Useful Links...
Parents webchat, phone line and info.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/
Parent Survival Guide...
Useful Links...
Information about Anxiety...
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/anxiety/
More information about Anxiety and Panic attacks...
Useful Links...
Useful Links...
Good information about eating problems...
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/eating-problems/
How to access beat phone lines and chat support...
Useful Guides...
LGBTQ+ Club in school – Tuesdays afterschool in the library
Useful Links...
On these pages you will find some helpful information covering a range of different things such as coming out, faith and religion, and staying safe. You’ll also find stories and experiences from other LGBT+ people in the “People like me” section.
Advice and understanding
You are always best placed to make decisions about your life. We want you to finish your call feeling you have options.
MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people.
Useful Links...
Self confidence, independent work...
https://click.clickrelationships.org/content/all-issues/unpack-the-issue-self-confidence/
Pastoral & Safeguarding
At Turton we strive to ensure that all students remain safe and free from harm and we are committed to playing a full and active part in the Multi-Agency response to Child Protection concerns. We recognise that we are an important part of the wider safeguarding system for children and young people.
Our Safeguarding Structure
Reporting a safeguarding concern
You can email safeguarding@turton.uk.com or speak to a member of staff.
Integrated Front door - Targeted Early Help and Children’s Social Care: 01204 331500
Framework for Action
To attend end of term trips you must have at least 97% attendance.
If you have a concern or are worried about something...
There are lots of people in school to help you. Speak to, email or message any of the following on Teams...
Group Tutor • Head of Year • Mentor • Learning Support • Subject Teacher • Leadership Team • School Nurse
Group Tutor
Bolton Encompass
The purpose of Bolton Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident. Domestic abuse impacts on children in a number of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent.
Encompass has been created to address this situation. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools. The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow ‘Key Adults’ the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.
Following the report of an incident of domestic abuse, by 9.00am on the next school day the school’s Key Adult will be informed that the child or young person has been involved in a domestic incident. This knowledge, given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
The purpose and procedures in Operation Encompass have been shared with all parents and governors, is detailed as part of the school’s Safeguarding Policy and published on our school website.
At Turton School our Key Adults are Cathy Bach bachc@turton.uk.com and Nat Parry parryn@turton.uk.com
If you witness bullying of any kind please report it to a member of staff immediately.
