Pastoral Care and Discipline

The individual guidance and welfare of pupils is provided through a year-based pastoral system.  On entry to the school each pupil is allocated to a form with a class tutor who has daily contact with the children and is responsible for dealing with day to day matters, as well as monitoring overall progress and providing educational guidance.  Key Stage 3 pupils also have a weekly tutorial period with their class teacher. Class tutors are supported by experienced heads of year and a Vice Principal who keeps in close contact with the Principal and parents as well as support and welfare services. 

The aims of the pastoral care system are to provide both the individual support and guidance which all young people need, and, whenever possible, to identify and deal with problems at an early stage before major issues arise. 

The broad area of 'pastoral care' can be broken down into complementary separate aims: 

• to assist the individual to enrich his/her 'personal life';
• to help prepare the young person for educational choice;
• to offer guidance or counselling, helping young people to make their own decisions
• by question and focus; and by information where appropriate;
• to support the 'subject' teaching and learning; 
• to assist the individual to develop his or her own life style and to respect that of
• others;
• to maintain an orderly atmosphere in which this is possible.
• to select two pupils in each year group to represent their views on a school’s council which meets approximately six times a year. 

The main objectives are:         

• to help the pupil feel secure at school;
• to encourage purposeful study and good behaviour;        
• to promote regular attendance and punctuality;        
• to encourage interest and involvement in extra-curricular activities;        
• to seek the co-operation of parents;        
• to help pupils in distress;        
• to encourage pupils to use their talents to the full.   

CONTACT WITH PARENTS 

The school is committed to maintaining close contact with parents and values their ideas and views.  Parents’ evenings are held on a regular basis for every year group.  School reports are produced twice a year for all pupils in years 8 - 11, while pupils in years 12 - 14, who take mock examinations in January, receive one report.  Newsletters are produced regularly to keep parents informed of activities at the school.  All parents are welcome to make an appointment at any time to discuss their child's progress with the relevant class tutor or year head. 

School Discipline and the arrangements for bringing the School's Rules and Procedures to the attention of pupils and parents 

Pupils at Larne Grammar School are expected to observe the normal rules of civilised behaviour and good manners and the inculcation of these is primarily the responsibility of parents or guardians.  Disciplinary rules and procedures, which pupils are required to obey, are prescribed for the orderly running of the school and failure to do so attracts sanctions.  The discipline policy is issued to parents when their child joins the school and is also available on request in the General Office. 

Drugs, Child Protection, Bullying, Security and Personal Safety

Following the issue of guidelines from the Department of Education and the North-Eastern Education and Library Board, the School has drawn up a detailed policy on drugs education and on the handling of drugs-related incidents.  These are set out in the School's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. 

Drugs education is currently part of the Health Education programme which is taught as a cross-curricular theme throughout the School. 

Detailed policies in relation to child protection, bullying and the security and personal safety of pupils and staff have also been drawn up by the Board of Governors.  Parents should contact the Principal’s Secretary or check the School’s website if they wish to inspect a copy of any of these policy documents.