Twggs122

Pastoral care

“The well-being of pupils is a high priority. Pastoral care is central to the role of every staff member. Staff teams across the school work sensitively together with external agencies to ensure that all pupils receive the support that they are entitled to. Pupils appreciate the diligent monitoring of their progress and well-being.” 

Ofsted, September 2023

Pastoral care is at the heart of TWGGS. We firmly believe that if pupils are happy and individually valued and supported they will thrive.

We hope pupils will have a varied and enjoyable experience and we aim to instil in them a respect for others and a desire to always give their best. Pupils have a Form Tutor who supports and guides them, and friendships flourish both within form groups and through a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs. There is a happy atmosphere at TWGGS and we value compassion, open-mindedness and trust.

We offer a variety of support and assistance for pupils who may find things difficult at times. In addition to the caring nature of our tutor groups, we have a member of staff responsible for pastoral support and we employ two qualified counsellors, one of whom is a CBT specialist, who come in to school every week to offer sessions by appointment for pupils who need more professional support or advice. Sixth formers also take on the role of mentors and offer support to younger pupils. Further information on how we support parents can be found on our Wellbeing page. 
 
Whilst being a highly academic school, we strive to ensure that all pupils become well-rounded individuals who are able to contribute positively and fully to adult life.

Use of Mobile Phones in School

As part of our ongoing commitment to pupil wellbeing and to encourage the building of positive social relationships, we have a 'No Phone Policy'. All pupils in Years 7-11 are not permitted to have their mobile phones out at any time during the school day. Instead, mobile phones must be kept in lockers at all times.
 
If a pupil in Years 7-11 needs to contact you urgently, then they can do this either through Reception or a member of the wellbeing team. Equally, if you need to get an urgent message to your child, then you can do this by emailing reception (reception@twggs.kent.sch.uk) or by telephoning 01892 520902.
 
Pupils in the Sixth Form are permitted to use mobile phones, but not in corridors, the canteen, lessons (unless instructed by a teacher to aid a lesson) or outside of their form room/ common room.

If a pupil in Year 7-11 is seen with a mobile phone during the school day, then the following sanctions will be followed:
  • First offence: phone removed and to be collected by the pupil at the end of the school day.
  • Second offence: phone removed and to be collected by a parent at the end of the school day (whenever is convenient to them)
  • Third offence: phone removed and to be collected by a parent at the end of the following week
The above sanctions will also apply to any pupil in the Sixth Form who is seen using their mobile phone outside of their designated areas. 
 

TWGGS Rewards System

Pupil merits are issued through EduLink in order to manage behaviour, motivate pupils and encourage engagement. We reward pupils for key skills and achievements, allowing us to build a picture of how they are developing both academically and within the classroom environment. Merits are awarded to pupils by staff, in line with our 3Cs: 
  • Challenge - excellent standards of classwork or homework; readily tackling difficult tasks, rising to challenges
  • Community - kindness, showing compassion to other students, volunteering, supporting the school, fulfilling responsibilities well
  • Character - recognition of significant efforts towards completing a task; contribution in class; inspiring others

For smaller examples of recognising positive behaviour, any member of staff can sign a pupil's Standard Card, with whole merits then rewarded at multiples of 3 signatures. 

Pupils and parents/carers can review their rewards through EduLink by clicking on the Achievement tab. Within this, they will see the reason that the pupil has been given a merit, as well as by whom. Merits from academic subjects and form tutors are worth 1 point, those from their Director of Achievement are worth 2, TWGGS Star merits (given by members of the Senior Leadership Team) are worth 3 points and Headteacher merits are worth 5 points. Mrs Marchant also sends postcards home following nominations from staff. These are given to pupils who have really shown the school motto, ‘Give Your Best’ in an aspect of their school life.  

At the end of the academic year (Easter for Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils), the pupils with the greatest number of points will be rewarded with a treat, chosen with their Head of Year. 

Interventions and Behaviour Ladders

At TWGGS we follow two behaviour ladders to ensure there is consistency and clarity amongst staff and pupils for sanctions given as a result of any misbehaviours. The first ladder is focused on an academic point of view, and the second is from a general behaviour perspective for pupils around the school. Both are based on a triage system with escalation for repeated or more serious offences. The ladders are visible in various locations around the school, as well as in pupil planners. 

TWGGS Behaviour Ladder TWGGS Academic Progress and Support Interventions

Anti-Bullying at TWGGS

As a school we are committed to ensuring that the whole community recognises that all forms of bullying are not tolerated at TWGGS. If left unaddressed, it can have a devastating effect on individuals; it can create a barrier to learning and have serious consequences for mental wellbeing. By effectively preventing and tackling bullying, our school can help to create a safe and disciplined environment, where pupils are able to learn and fulfil their potential.

TWGGS Anti Bullying Poster.docxTWGGS does not accept any form of bullying and any reports can be emailed to beatbullying@twggs.kent.sch.uk. This email will go straight to Mrs Miller and any reports will be dealt with sensitively to support those involved. The poster shown here is displayed in form rooms, together with supplementary material that has been used during form time discussions.

Who to contact

Your child's Form Tutor is your first point of contact if you have an enquiry about any aspect of their school life or wish to discuss anything of concern.  All staff can be reached by phone on 01892 520902, or by emailing admin@twggs.kent.sch.uk and your email will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

Additional pastoral support is available through the Head of Pastoral Care, the Heads of Year, and the Pastoral Support Assistants.

Mrs Miller, Assistant Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Head of Pastoral Care - ahtpastoral@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Miss Pérez, Head of Year 7 and Transition Co-ordinator – Yr7@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Miss Jacquin, Head of Year 8 – Yr8@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Mr Walker, Head of Year 9 – Yr9@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Dr Boone, Head of Year 10 – Yr10@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Ms Hogben, Head of Year 11 – Yr11@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Davis, Head of Sixth Form – sixthform@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Rogers, Key Stage 3 Pastoral Support Assistant - pastoralsupport@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Barclay, Key Stage 4 Pastoral Support Assistant – pastoralsupport@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Brown, Key Stage 5 Pastoral Support Assistant - pastoralsupport@twggs.kent.sch.uk

Information shared by local Police

Personal Safety

Although the days are slowly getting longer we are acutely aware that many of our pupils travel to and from school in the dark. With this in mind, the following has been shared with pupils to help keep themselves safe:

  • Keep to well-lit and busy areas as much as possible

  • Avoid wearing headphones or looking down at your phone whilst walking

  • Find a local shop / populated area and ask for help 

  • Make sure someone knows your route and an approximate time you should be arriving home or to your destination

  • Keep your mobile in close proximity to be able to make a call

  • Ultimately, call 999 if you feel you are in danger

Further information can be found from the following two websites: 

Drug Use

The local Police Schools' Team has recently been made aware of information regarding the rise in the use of edible drugs and their promotion on Snapchat and Instagram.

Please see the following letter from the team, giving more details:

Information on Edible Drugs

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