The Pastoral system

Tring School is proud of its reputation for the support given to students. A tutor, Student Support Manager and the Head of House are responsible for overseeing attendance, punctuality and dress and will stress the importance of excellent standards of behaviour. They will also monitor academic progress and maintain close contact with parents.

Tutor groups

In May 2009 we changed the way in which we organised tutor groups. Historically, the school had a traditional system of grouping students into year groups. The school spent 18 months investigating and researching the concept of Vertical Tutoring and decided that it was a system that would make a positive impact on the school’s life. In real terms Vertical Tutoring means that there are students from Year 7 to Year 13 in every form group, across the school.

Students remain in their tutor groups throughout their time in the school. The tutor group meets with their Tutor once a day each morning for 25 minutes. Tutor time is spent in a variety of ways; mentoring, assemblies, quizzes, community help, house challenges & communications.

Why move to vertical tutoring?

Vertical tutoring provides opportunities for older students to mentor and advise younger students, for example with advice on option choices or on applying for a university place. Older students can also be given real responsibility in a tutor group which contains younger students who need support. This will help us develop their leadership skills.

The house system is supported by placing students from one house group but of different ages together. I t promotes a sense of team spirit. Students arriving in year 7 will be nurtured by students who already have a strong allegiance to their house and know how to make the most of the house opportunities.

By mixing the age groups of students for tutor time we are providing a better environment for them to explore how students can work together to improve our school for themselves – the older ones for example moderating ideas from the younger students or facilitating ideas.

Vertical tutor groups have also given use the opportunity to reduce the tutor group sizes so that each student will get more individual attention.

The House system

Each tutor group is designated to one of our four Houses. These are named after local places – Ascott, Claydon, Halton and Waddesdon. When assigned to a House in Year 7, students will represent that House for the rest of their time at Tring School. Each House is supported by a Head of House and a Student Support Manager, who will lead the team of tutors and be responsible for the welfare and progress of the students in Years 7 – 11.

Students in Years 12 and 13 will be part of the tutor and House system with a specialist Head of Sixth Form and Student Support Manager. They will work specifically with our Sixth Form students, monitoring their attendance, academic progress and maintaining close contact with parents.

Tring School’s House system provides a wide range of opportunities for students to participate in social activities, charity work and an every increasing number of inter-house competitions. Most of these carry points which lead to an annual presentation for the winning House.

Key Stage Co-ordinators