SET Schools are confident and happy places. Our students receive excellent pastoral care and support in a small school setting. Our staff know each of their students as individuals.
We have worked in close collaboration with our students and their families to put in place clear and open channels of communication. Parents/carers are informed at the start of each academic year of the teacher who has direct responsibility for their child’s pastoral care.
We are committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of students and we work very closely with the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board. If anyone within the school community has concerns about a student, school policy requires them to share them with our designated safeguarding member of staff.
Attendance
Did you know that we track attendance by sessions? One session is either a morning or an afternoon. If you miss one day of school, then you have actually missed two sessions.
| Sessions | Days | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 3 ½ days | 98% |
| 14 | 7 days | 96% |
| 20 | 10 days | 94% |
| 26 | 13 days | 93% |
| 32 | 16 days | 16 days |
| 38 | 19 days | 19 days |
There is a very clear link between a child’s attendance record and their success in learning. Research shows that the equivalent of 14 days absence from school can equate to achieving a grade lower at GCSE, meaning a 4 would become a 3. 90% attendance means one half day per week, four weeks per year, and half a year off over five years in secondary school. Seckford Education Trust is proud of the high standards we set for attendance and is keen to encourage all our students to achieve the best possible attendance records.
Form Tutors
Our form tutors are the main point of contact between school and home. They meet with their tutor group each morning for registration and have them for three periods each week as part of our unique enrichment programme. During that time the group might attend an assembly or take part in PSHE or Citizenship activities.
For parents/carers the tutor will be the first point of contact in the school for educational or pastoral issues.
Transition Support
We know that some pupils find it difficult to adjust to the demands of secondary school so we ensure that all of our Year 7s receive plenty of support when they join us. First year tutor groups are led by teachers who are experienced in the transition journey. Parents/carers are introduced to their son/daughter’s tutor at the start of the academic year and regular communications between home and school facilitate this process.
Supervision
Students are not allowed on site without staff supervision. There is a staff duty rota for break, lunchtime and before and after school. This is under constant review; there are separate ‘wet weather’ arrangements.
There are parts of the school that are ‘out of bounds’; students are made aware of this.
Separate arrangements are made for trips and visits; more detail can be found in the relevant policy.