Poltair School Student Support
Who are we and what do we do? Provide a service for all students, regardless of age, gender, ethnic group or economic status, in order to meet their real or perceived need, at any given time.
Student Support Centre A centre where every member of our community: students and staff; Gifted and Talented; main stream; those on the record of need; Parents can access the appropriate support – academic; emotional; behavioural; social; careers; health; etc. at the appropriate time to meet that real or perceived need. It is also a centre where everyone feels safe; cared for; listened to; valued for what they are.
The Vision To have a centre within the school where all aspects of a child’s life can come together in a non threatening, safe environment To enable all students to have the opportunity to reach their full potential
WHY? Because school is possibly the only consistent aspect of anyone’s life! Everyone has an opinion about school When things are going wrong in a family they can get very confused and possibly feel threatened / frightened relationships can break down and a spiral down escalates This can result in the child acting out in school School has to discipline within the behaviour policy but with the support of SSC the student can learn how to cope!
Every Child Really Does Matter!
But if we all work together – communicate – then there is a greater chance of the child having a chance of resolving the conflicts.
This is any school anywhere – no discrimination! “The specialist work of student services in supporting more vulnerable young people, through their close links with external agencies is very effective” OFSTED June 09
Currently we have a purpose designed centre – funded by school, not county, where we can meet those needs. There are rigid structures in place so we cannot be used as a ‘dumping ground’. Students are not withdrawn totally from the curriculum – as no child is failing in every subject. Specific needs are identified and specific agencies are brought in to deliver e.g. emotional literacy; self esteem; those ‘at risk’; girls groups; boys groups; bullying issues; bereavement etc; Learning mentors; youth worker; counsellor; peer mentoring; small group work.
Students for these specific groups are identified then recommended to attend. Close links with parents are forged – PSP’s if appropriate; CAF’s if needs cannot be met through a PSP; PSA’s / EWO if a home visit would be appropriate. Close links with professional agencies – with meetings held within the school if at all possible, regardless of whether the school is involved in the meeting. Parents encouraged to come to the centre during the day to dispel their own fears of school and make them feel welcome and valued.
We are not a PRU or anything like that! We are not for a minority of students but for all We are not exclusive
We are inclusive We are supportive of all – staff, students, Parents and agencies alike We have worked hard to make sure that all are welcome We have worked hard to make sure that it is a place of safety where everyone will be treated fairly and with respect.
How does it work? We are open every break, lunch and after school for a student to pop in. Peer mentors are available at these times Students who need more support are referred to us via the various routes and appropriate support put in place We are staffed with 1 almost full time manager (as there is a teaching commitment); 2 Learning Mentors; 1 Youth Worker and a senior TA.
We do what we can when we can. We try to be here for everyone