Pastoral Support

The House Structure

The main school is divided into four Houses, with a teacher in charge of each House known as ‘Head of House’. Each Head of House is also supported by an Assistant Head of House.

The four Houses in the main school that serve students in Years 7-11 are: Aidan, Bede, Cuthbert and Dunstan. In Sixth Form, we have Hilda House, where students from both Year 12 and 13 are placed.

Heads of House are responsible for the children in their House with regard to general behaviour and appearance in school. Students will register each day in tutor groups and follow a planned pastoral programme; tutor groups are mixed ability groups.

The tutors within a House group are expected to liaise with the Head of House to ensure that effective pastoral care can take place. In turn the Heads of House liaise with the Deputy Headteacher in charge of Pastoral Care so that consistent attitudes can be adopted.

Children meet in these groups for tutorial work through their time at St. Joseph’s.

We have very clear guidelines on expected behaviour, punctuality, attendance and work ethic. Students are rewarded with credits which create House points. At the end of each year, the House points are totalled, and the winning House receives the House trophy.

Credits: are given for achievements or special effort.
Debits: are given for the following: failure to bring correct books or equipment to class, lack of respect or insolence towards a member of staff, persistent misbehaviour etc. When a debit is given the student must then complete a Code of Conduct.

Where a student collects three debits in one week, the Head of House will then interview that child to identify the reasons for his/her bad behaviour.

Where a student persists in behaving badly, the Head of House may decide to contact the parents, given detention, or place the child in the Learning Support Unit. Lunchtime groundings are also held; detentions are also held after school if necessary.

The Head of House may decide that the student needs to be put on report, in which case the child will be required to carry a ‘Report Form’ to each lesson so that the teacher can comment on behaviour, attitude to work etc. Form teachers should also monitor this daily and the Head of House checks the report at the end of the day. Parents should also sign the report on a daily basis.

Report Forms are kept for students who have previously misbehaved. If a child misbehaves whilst on Report they automatically receive a detention that evening.

Keeping in Touch

At the end of each module, parents and guardians will receive an information sheet, showing their child’s current attainment level in each subject. Parents / guardians will receive a full report from each of their child’s teachers, their Form Tutor and Head of House and will also have the opportunity to attend a Parents’ Evening. We welcome all contact and information from parents and carers at any time of the year.

Behaviour Support Room

This established location in the school is designed to support students who are experiencing difficulties in mainstream class or who have had their school career interrupted for whatever reason.

The room supports:

• Students who need support and advice on how to cope in mainstream school
• Students experiencing emotional difficulties
• Students who have had a long-term absence from school or who are a school non-attender

The Behaviour Support Room offers:

• Respite from difficult situations in school
• The chance to discuss difficulties and develop strategies to cope in mainstream school
• Restorative support

What the students say: comments from our Year 7 students who joined us in September 2021

“The teachers are so nice and always ask if everything is OK. They really do care about you! The dinners are amazing! Good break times.”  Grace, former pupil at St. Aloysius Federation

“What I like about St Joseph’s is the new lessons; making new friends and the new teachers” Jessica, former pupil at St. Joseph’s Primary

“Everyone is very welcoming and will lead you through your years at St Joseph’s.”  Eleanor, former pupil at St. James’ Primary

“I like the food you get at lunch and all of my mates I made at the start of the year.”  Joe, former pupil at St. Bede’s Primary

“I like the independence it provides and the opportunities with school.”  Georgia, former pupil at Bill Quay Primary

“My favourite thing about the school is how you are not cramped in one room, you move around which makes the day go by quicker. My favourite lesson is Mandarin.”  Albert, former pupil at St. Matthew’s Primary

“I like all of the clubs we can participate in.”  Alex, former pupil at St. Alban’s Primary