Pastoral Care
At Cullybackey College, pastoral care permeates all aspects of school life and all members of staff take responsibility for the care, safety and welfare of our students. Child protection lies at the heart of our College and everything that we do. Trained staff oversee the implementation of the Child Protection Policy and guidance across the College. All teaching and non-teaching staff receive annual Child Protection training and are fully aware of the College processes and procedures. Our aim is to ensure all students feel safe and can speak to staff should they have concerns. The College works closely with a variety of different outside agencies to support the well-being of our students. We also run a preventative curriculum programme, highlighting and making students aware of some of the issues and challenges they may face.
Taught Curriculum
All students are involved in a Pastoral Curriculum encompassing the areas of Personal Development, Employability, Citizenship and safeguarding. Within the Personal Development framework students cover topics such as:
- Personal wellbeing, sexual and mental health and substance abuse.
- Financial matters and the development of financial capability.
- Personal safety online and in the wider community, avoiding exploitation and recognising cyber danger.
This programme of study also includes a careers element that gives students the opportunity to investigate the world of work. All year groups are given the opportunity to engage with outside speakers on a number of pastoral and career led issues. These provide our students with useful, current advice and give them the option to engage with the external advisors.
Peer Mentoring Programme
Within the Peer Mentoring Programme Sixth Form students interact and provide support for Key Stage 3 students, to help them settle in, make progress and to achieve their full potential within Cullybackey College. Young pupils are secure in the knowledge that there are always older pupils available and willing to help them.
The Mentors are selected and given training to ensure that they have the skills necessary to support young people who might be daunted by some of the obstacles they face during their transition from Primary to Secondary school. It also gives mentors the opportunity to play a responsible role in the College community and gain key skills that are transferable in higher education.
The Mentor will:
- Help new students settle into Cullybackey College;
- Help to establish good communication between students and teachers and other students. They will offer appropriate advice and guidance;
- Provide support for young people who might be isolated and lack self-confidence;
- Provide support in getting to know a learning environment;
- Help mentees to manage time, plan and organise work.
Topics covered include:
- Working together
- Communication
- Antibullying
- Revision techniques
- Internet Safety
- Mental Health
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR POLICY
As in all communities we have a need for a recognised structure, relating to acceptable behaviour and appropriate relationships, which supports the common good and enables the community to function effectively. In particular, the College community requires a caring, orderly and safe environment, in which all students may learn and develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and morally. It is therefore the aim of the College behaviour management policy to provide a system which:
- leads to a happy and purposeful College;
- recognises the importance of supporting the development of each individual;
- encourages students to develop their abilities in a congenial atmosphere;
- expects and fosters a high level of consideration for others and for the College environment;
- acknowledges and rewards desirable behaviour;
- identifies and corrects faults;