Pastoral

Our pastoral system and associated school polices are designed to provide every pupil with a happy, safe and secure school environment in line with the Every Child Matters agenda. A Deputy Headteacher oversees the pastoral aspect of the school. There are 5 year groups (7 to 11), each with a Head of Year. Each form within the year has a form teacher. The form teacher has special responsibility for the academic progress and pastoral welfare of students. We currently have two Pastoral Managers for main school and one Pastoral Manager for the sixth form with planned expansion of this team. We also have a school nurse (RGN/RSCN), who with the Pastoral Team, focuses specifically on student well-being and care. Qualified counsellors support students where necessary.

The Deputy Head (Pastoral) and the Head of Year 7 manage the important transition from primary to secondary education: visiting primary schools, meeting with parents in June and arranging for new students to visit the school in July prior to their admission in September.

Behaviour for Learning

We expect our students to behave in a manner which will allow them, and their peers, to learn. Our Behaviour for Learning policy is graduated in approach and clear, so that our young people understand what will be the consequences of the choices that they make. Discipline is essential for learning. Although we place emphasis on self-discipline and trust, there are occasions when the school has to act to preserve good order. Privileges may be removed or restrictions imposed. Detention is an approved form of punishment and forms part of the school’s formal discipline procedure. Parents are given at least 24 hours notice of detention as a matter of courtesy.

Our Behaviour for Learning policy is built on the principles of being ready to learn and of respect.

We will recognise acceptable behaviour with rewards, and there will be sanctions for behaviour we deem unacceptable.

A parent and students' guide to our behaviour for learning policy can be downloaded here.

Attendance and Punctuality

These are of prime importance. Students must produce a parental note of explanation following an absence. Parents are requested not to take family holidays during term time. In exceptional circumstances, parents should write to the Headmaster who may consider authorising leave of absence for family holiday purposes.

Assemblies

There is a planned programme of collective worship, of a broadly Christian nature, which involves regular school and year assemblies. We seek to reinforce the standards described elsewhere on the school website and in our prospectus and to encourage pupils to reflect on a variety of issues. Assemblies also include items such as daily notices, announcements and sports reports.

Home School Agreement

This is a statutory document which formalises the partnership between parent, pupil and school and which all parties sign prior to admission to the school.

Parental Enquiries

On all general matters concerning students’ home circumstances, absences, behaviour, etc., parents are advised to contact the form teacher in the first instance, and then the Head of Year. On all subject matters concerning students’ courses, reports, examinations, etc., parents are advised to contact the appropriate Head of Department. Unless the matter is urgent, parents should write or telephone to make an appointment. Parents should not hesitate to make use of the school in this way. Many misgivings and worries can be avoided if there is open communication between home and school.

Pupil Premium

Since 2011-2012 schools have been allocated Pupil Premium funding for children from low-income families eligible for free school meals or for children who had been looked after continuously for more than six months.

Pupil Premium Statement 2022-2023

Pupil Premium Statement 2021-2022

Pupil Premium Statement 2020-2021

Pupil Premium Statement 2019-2020

Pupil Catch-up Strategy Statement

In June 2020, the government announced £650 million of universal catch-up premium funding for the 2020/21 academic year to support children and young people to catch up on missed learning caused by COVID-19. The use of this funding at BRGS to facilitate a recovery curriculum and address any learning after school closures is detailed in the following document. The funding is especially important for students from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2020-2021 BRGS received an allocation of £71,000 for the academic year.

Pupil Catch-Up Strategy Statement

Operation Encompass

In conjunction with Lancashire Police, BRGS is involved in a national initiative called 'Operation Encompass'. The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident.

Following an incident, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared. Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff are made aware early enough to help and support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.

This is a valuable initiative that means we can help and support students and their families within our school when they need us most.

To find out more about Operation Encompass, please click here.