Pastoral
The role of the Form Teacher
The Form Teachers play a vital role in the life of the young man at School. They look after the pastoral welfare of the boys and are the first point of contact for boys and parents. At St James we have a system whereby, wherever possible, Form Teachers stay with their boys either for three or five years. This ensures continuity of relationship and maintains a deeper level of individual needs than would otherwise be the case. Boys have regular Form periods and are with their Form Teachers each morning at registration and usually for lunch. Form Teachers normally attend any residential trip with their boys.
Curriculum Guidance
There are two crucial decision-making times for the boys in relation to their curriculum. The first is for their GCSE subjects and the second for A level. In both cases the boys and parents are given guidance by both the academic and pastoral teams.
GCSE choices
GCSE subjects are chosen at the end of Year 8 for the start of Year 9. This is a year earlier than most schools but does ensure that maximum time can be spent on individual subjects. Particular care is taken to ensure that boys follow subjects which play to their strengths and talents and yet retain a balanced programme. The Deputy Head (Learning) and Head of Sixth Form interviews each boy and receives information from teachers to establish the best choices. Parents are involved in the consultation process. Please see the Careers section for further information about this process.
A level Choices
In Year 11 further curriculum guidance provides the basis for choice of A levels. This takes place following the mock GCSE exams in January with the Head of Sixth Form. Please see the Careers section for further information about this process.
Vocational Guidance
In Year 10 boys are each given a prolonged interview to help establish possible areas of interest in relation to choice of A level, university course or profession. They are given the opportunity to express their perceived strengths, qualities, likes and dislikes and this opens the dialogue for advice and possible directions. Further interviews ensue during Year 11 and the Sixth Form.
Further information can be found about this in the Careers Section.