Pastoral care

Ethos

We are proud of the ethos of Plumstead Manor School and of the harmony amongst our students and staff. Ofsted inspectors and Her Majesty's inspectors have commended the positive relationships between students and staff. Through our well structured tutorial programme on areas such as racism, bullying and citizenship we ensure that our students have a real understanding of the issues and the effects that their actions could have on others.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is the support and guidance given to each girl to enable her to gain the maximum benefit from her years at school and to develop self-discipline.

Each student has a tutor who sees her at least twice daily for registration. Normally the tutor remains with the same group for five years. During this time the tutor builds a strong relationship with each student and is the guide, mentor and first counsellor for those needing extra encouragement.

There is a Co-ordinator of Year responsible for overseeing students and leading a team of tutors. She moves up the school with the tutors and year group until the end of Year 11 and is the person parents normally contact. We recognise that at some time in their school life students may experience difficulties in their personal lives, which hinder their learning. We try to identify at an early stage students experiencing difficulties and help them to access a range of support services which we have in school including counselling, art therapy, drama therapy, anger management, groupwork mentoring and one to one support.

Discipline is on traditional lines, based on mutual regard and respect, and tutors and the Co-ordinator of Year monitor students regularly. Good behaviour and a working atmosphere are expected and achieved. A copy of the school rules is given to all parents and students. Students who cannot meet these expectations are followed up and parents are contacted. Students may be detained after school for up to ten minutes on the same day. For longer detentions parents are given twenty-four hours' notice.

All students must be able to work in a quiet and positive atmosphere. Students who prevent others from working and are at risk of exclusion may spend time in our inclusions unit working in a small group. Our inclusions co-ordinator and learning mentors provide support and guidance. In stressing the importance of high standards with regard to language, uniform, general behaviour, courtesy and hard work in the classroom, we are establishing the atmosphere in which all students can learn.

Girls-Only Environment

Girls thrive in a girls-only environment. Girls perform better, are more comfortable, become involved in sports more regularly and take on leading roles in a girls-only environment. We constantly remind girls of the important role of women in society and build their confidence to compete in the world. The school is a member of the Association of Maintained Girls' Schools, an organisation committed to maintaining parents' rights to choose a single-sex education for their daughters.

Form Captains

Each tutor group elects a form captain. Form captains meet as a group every week with Ms Harding, the Headteacher, to discuss issues raised by students, whole-school issues and to influence school policies.