Pastoral
As a school, the wellbeing of our pupils is of paramount importance to us and we strive to ensure that all pupils are supported in being as happy and successful as possible. We are very fortunate to have a large and highly skilled pastoral team who work collaboratively to remove any barriers to learning that might hinder a pupil’s progress. All staff within the school play a role in supporting pupils but in particular our Form Tutors, Year Leaders, Pastoral Co-ordinators, School Counsellor and Learning Mentors underpin the school’s systems of pastoral care.
Year Leader
Every year group has a designated Year Leader who is responsible for ensuring that all pupils make the best possible progress throughout their time at Ribblesdale. The Year Leader works as part of a team who aim to remove any barriers to learning and promote the well-being of all pupils within their year group. As part of their role, the Year Leader meets with pupils for their weekly assembly and oversees the activities that take place during form time. They also collaborate with Form Tutors and the school’s Attendance Manager to promote the highest standards in terms of attendance.
Mr L Conti
Year 7
Mr L Lishman
Year 8
Ms J Parkinson
Year 9
Mrs C Hughes
Year 10
Mr N Hewison
Year 11
Pastoral Co-ordinator
Each year group is supported by a Pastoral Co-ordinator. This is a non-teaching member of staff who works alongside the Year Leader in removing barriers to learning that a pupil might experience. The Pastoral Co-ordinators are available throughout the day to assist with any issues that a pupil may have and they communicate regularly with parents to forge strong links between home and school.
Mrs A Marsland
Year 7
Mrs T Bolton
Year 8
Mrs L Hudson
Year 9
Mrs J Lund
Year 10
Mrs K Hammond
Year 11
Form Tutor
As part of the transition process we have a team of Year 7 Form Tutors who remain static each year and are in turn highly skilled at helping pupils to settle in once they move to Ribblesdale. In Year 8, pupils then move to a Form Tutor who supports them through the rest of their time at Ribblesdale. Pupils see their Form Tutor every day, first thing in the morning. The Tutor provides support and guidance for pupils, demonstrating how to maximise what they achieve each day, as well as ensuring the highest expectations in terms of uniform.
Houses
Each form group is part of a House System that encourages rewards and inter house competition. When a pupil arrives at Ribblesdale, they are placed in one of five houses (Mitton, Waddington, Chatburn, Edisford, Downham). House points are given out by subject teachers, Form Tutors and other staff for having a positive attitude to learning, making a significant contribution to the wider school community or service to those in the local area. There are also a series of house competitions throughout the year to promote healthy competition. All of the above are regularly recognised in assemblies that are led by the Senior Leadership Team.
Rewards
The ethos of encouragement is central to the promotion of excellent attitudes to learning, behaviour and attendance. Rewards are one means of achieving this goal. Integral to the system of rewards is an emphasis on praise, both informal and formal, to individuals and groups. This is done through curriculum areas and the wider school community. Throughout the year, linked to the house system, pupils are rewarded through a variety of means including certificates, trophies, non-uniform days and end of year trips. Collaboration between home and school is key in ensuring that pupils thrive and so parents can monitor both rewards and sanctions using our Parent Portal.