Pastoral Care

Each student will be in a Form with other students who take similar subjects and led by an experienced Sixth Form Tutor. This tutor will see the student through from their first day in Sixth Form until the day they leave. Students spend around four hours a week with their tutor group. Amongst basic duties, such as ensuring good punctuality and attendance, the tutor is the first port of call for students seeking support. Tutors will then bring the matter to the attention of the Sixth Form Team.

A decision will be made as to whether the young person needs to have a regular meeting with Mrs Williams to monitor their wellbeing. Perhaps the young person is suffering from anxiety, in which case, they may also be enrolled on a mindfulness programme. We also have a therapist who joins the school weekly. She can see a young person regularly to allow them to discuss their concerns with a person who is independent of the teaching staff. It could be that the concern is one of organisation, in which we may refer the student for a scheduling support with Student Support Services.

We understand that parenting a young adult is a complex task. The Sixth Form Team value working in partnership with parents. Our aim is to encourage resilience from our Sixth Formers and to give them the support to face the challenges that lie with increased freedom and responsibility. The Sixth Form Team are experienced at liaising with external organisations should a young person need further support from a variety of experts.

The Sixth Form Team:

Abigail Hern: Senior Leader, Director of Sixth Form and Social Sciences Teacher.  ahern@opgs.org

Ms Jill Williams: Assistant Director of Sixth Form, Head of Year 13, Careers and Pastoral Lead. Non-teaching member of the Team. jwilliams@opgs.org

Mr Anil Ramkhalawon:  Assistant Director of Sixth Form, Head of Year 12, Head of HASS Faculty and Head of Economics. aramkhalawon@opgs.org

Ms Emily Biddle: Enrichment and Community Lead. Psychology Teacher.  (Part time) ebiddle@opgs.org

Mr Matthew Mayes: Assistant Director of Sixth Form, Teacher of Geography mmayes@opgs.org