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At Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School we have a team of three Learning Mentors and one Learning Support Assistant to support our students throughout their school life.
Staff:
Ruth Hearn – Assistant Headteacher i/c Personalised Learning and Child Welfare (incl. SENCo and Designated Person for Child Protection)
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Bev Gilbert – Assistant Headteacher i/c Behaviour and Attendance
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Kate Steadman – Teacher i/c Student Welfare in the Sixth Form
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Manuela Palmerini – Learning Mentor for KS3 and Parent Support Advisor for KS3
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Heather Hodkinson –Learning Mentor for KS4 and Mentor for KS4 Aim Higher
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Pam Maskell – Learning Mentor for KS5 and Mentor for KS5 Aim Higher
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Sally Arrandale – Learning Support Assistant
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Manuela Palmerini - Learning Mentor for Key Stage 3 and Parent Support Advisor for KS3
I work with teachers and other staff to address the needs of students who require assistance in overcoming barriers to learning in order to achieve their full potential. I work with a range of students, but give priority to those who need the most help. The variety of issues covered is vast: low self esteem, lack of confidence, punctuality, absence, bullying, challenging behaviour and anger management. I also welcome students who just want to come and have a friendly chat. I have an open door policy
I work mainly with students on a one-to-one basis or in small or large groups, acting as a:
* listener;
* facilitator for learning;
* encourager;
* motivator;
* role model.
Tasks typically involve:
**helping students who are underperforming in their subjects on a one-to-one basis outside the classroom and looking at why they are underperforming and what can be done to help their situation;
**implementing strategies and supporting students in self-esteem and confidence-building activities;
**listening to and helping students resolve a range of issues that are creating barriers to learning;
**setting up and running circle time sessions and anger management groups.
Parent Support Advisor, Key Stage 3
My role is mainly to support you and your child to get the very best from your school by providing support, advice and information. I will help you with any worries you may have in relation to your child's education, behaviour or attendance, and provide support on how best to deal with it.
As a Parent Support advisor I aim to support and help in the following ways:
* Provide direct and confidential support with parents/carers in a school context.
* Offer support with your child's behaviour.
* Provide information about school matters.
* Give opportunities to meet with other parents/carers through regular events.
* Run 'Drop in' sessions.
* Offer a home visit.
* Find other services to help when appropiate.
What I aim to achieve -
* Build your confidence in dealing with difficult parenting issues and behaviours.
* Support improved achievement and attendance at school.
* Help you to speak with the school.
Heather Hodkinson –Learning Mentor for KS4 and Mentor for KS4 Aim Higher
My key role is to continue the pastoral service provided in Key Stage 3 and to also assist students gain greater focus on attaining academic achievement. Key Stage 4 has the Raybould Room as a dedicated study area. In here I facilitate group sessions, have one to one meetings with students and discuss concerns or issues regarding their son with parents. Students are also encouraged to utilise the resources available within the Raybould Room. Working with students in Years 10 and 11 either individually, in small groups or as a whole year group, I aim to empower students overcome any barriers they may have to learning. I endeavour to enable all students to confidently complete their external exams and achieve their academic potential.
Utilising a variety of external agencies I also arrange self esteem and team building activities, University Master classes, University campus visits, Health awareness seminars, specialised counselling and as a finale to Key Stage 4, including the celebration of the end of their GCSEs, I organise a trip for the whole group to join in.
I am also the co-ordinator of the Aim Higher Mentoring Scheme and BVGS Peer Mentoring Scheme which provides additional support to students who benefit from this type of intervention, due to personal or academic issues.
Pam Maskell – Learning Mentor for KS5 and Mentor for KS5 Aim Higher
The pastoral system follows our students through Key Stage 5 and beyond. My base is in the 6th Form Hub, a suite of study rooms where I am available to the students from 8am. The final 2 years at school can be very demanding academically, emotionally and socially and students are confident that the support I offer at every level equips them with the confidence, knowledge and positive attitude that will be needed to take up the next stage of their life either at University or in the work place. The unbiased support I offer through one to one meetings with students and talks to parents empowers both to make informed choices about the University application process.
Time management, revision skills, individually designed study programmes and coping strategies can be developed to suit the individual. Our 6th form students lead very busy lives and take on a lot of responsibility throughout the school and part of my role is not only to advise but support their activities whether it is fund raising through our many charity events to helping organise the Leavers’ Assembly and Ball. I have established links within the local community and our students frequently assist with their fund raising events too.
I run an open door policy and students are confident that personal issues are treated confidentially and with empathy. I provide a level of sensitivity and confidentiality required when dealing with issues ranging from sexual health to stress management, relationships and mediation and students are confident they will receive the best possible advice.
I co-ordinate the Key Stage 5 Aim Higher programme which provides additional support through subject specific lectures at Birmingham, Aston and City Universities.
Ofsted reported that the 6th form pastoral system is ‘outstanding’ and through my personalised approach our students can develop into confident, informed and forward thinking young people.
The C-Card scheme is available to 6th form students only.
Sally Arrandale – Learning Support Assistant
The role of our LSA is primarily to support students with a wide range of learning and/or behavioural difficulties in order that they may achieve their potential.
On occasion assistance may be given in the classroom environment, if appropriate and as directed by the SENCo. Additional support is offered during exam time for all year groups. Workshops are run for students who require additional spelling/literacy/handwriting support. The LSA works with individual students across all year groups to offer advice on organisational strategies, revision skills, coursework issues, help with mind mapping and structuring of extended writing. In addition our LSA may interview students as required by the SENCo/Heads of Years following report cards or to ensure that students have settled into school effectively.
Additional Information:
If students wish for further information on issues such as Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Bereavement and Sex and Relationships but are nervous about talking to someone then there are leaflets/information posters around the school signposting students to different organisations/charities/agencies and outside Miss Hearn’s/Miss Gilbert’s office.
If you would like to see our Disability Discrimination Policy or our Equal Opportunities Policy please contact the school.
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