Stewarton Academy

Welcome S5 Information Evening

Agenda

• Tea & Coffee• Welcome & Introduction - Mrs Leslie, Head Teacher• S4 Results - Mrs Denovan, DHT• Mentoring Programme - Mr Rose, DHT

A Pupils’ perspective - L Meney, Head Girl & H Forsythe, Head Boy

Monitoring & Tracking - Mr Rose, DHT• Pupil Support - Mrs Barbour, PTPS• Career Advice - Lorna Bannatyne, SDS• Question & Answers

The Challenges Ahead

• Build S4 success• Step up to Highers– Increase in difficulty and work rate– Increase in homework demands– Improve time management skills – Increase in commitment/ dedication– Increase in study time– Increase in pressure to achieve

• 3 to 5 Highers

Who can help?

• Class Teacher• Head of Department/Faculty• Pupil Support Teacher• Year Head• Careers Officer• Transitional Support Worker• Key Worker• School Nurse• Support from home

What else do we do?

The

Mentoring

Programme

Monitoring

&

Tracking

The Mentoring Programme

Rationale:

“Mentoring of individuals and groups has proved successful in inspiring and motivating young people. A mentor can be many things – a positive role model, an advisor and an experienced friend. Simply having someone who takes a special interest can make an enormous difference.” (Excellence in Schools).

The Mentoring Programme

Purpose:

To support S5 students studying 3-5 Highers in achieving their full potential.

The Mentoring Programme

Groups• 73 Students studying 3 or more highers• 9 groups of approximately 8 students• Similar subject groupings where possible– Sciences, Maths, English, Social Subjects, Languages etc.

• Matched to Mentors subject expertise where possible.

• Mentors that teach or have taught the students.

The Mentoring Programme

Mentors

The Mentoring Programme

The Role of the Mentor To act as a personal learning advisor to each

member of the group.

The Mentoring Programme

The Role of the Mentor

• To hold regular meetings, approximately each fortnight, with the group/individuals.

• These meetings take place at lunchtime so as not to interfere with teaching & learning

The Mentoring Programme

The Role of the Mentor• To get to know, encourage, motivate and

value each student in the group, enabling sound advice and guidance to be given in order to facilitate full potential being achieved.

The Mentoring Programme

• To listen to students, share experiences and help resolve difficulties that they may be experiencing.

The Mentoring Programme

• To act as a link to other staff such as subject teachers, PTPS, DHT and HT as appropriate.

The Mentoring ProgrammeNo. Week Beg Focus of Discussion

1 20 Sept 2011 Getting to know the group.

2 3 Oct 2011 S4 Results analysis. S5 Courses – demands / difficulties

3 24 Oct 2011 September target grades discussed - possible link to career intentions (realistic?). H/W – research possible university courses as appropriate.

4 7 Nov 2011 Time management skills: coping with homework, NABs and managing the school/life balance. Study planner.

5 21 Nov 2011 Involvement of S6 pupils / members of staff to address group concerns/ anxieties as appropriate.

6 5 Dec 2011 November target grades discussed.

7 9 Jan 2012 Study skills / Prelim preparation

8 23 Jan 2012 Health Issues

9 20 Feb 2012 Prelim evaluation / areas for improvement identified.

10 6 Mar 2012 Coping with stress

11 20 Mar 2012 Discussion on final target grades / revisit study planner

12 24 Apr 2012 Relaxation advice. Final encouragement / hints.Pupil Evaluation.

The Mentoring Programme

Other points to note:• At each meeting students have an

opportunity to raise / discuss any difficulties

• The programme is meant as a guide, content will be driven by the needs of the group.

• Meetings take place at a mutually agreed lunchtime.

The Mentoring Programme

Home – school links:

• This Information Evening

• Liaison over programme content

• Contact via Year Head (attendance)

What else can you do?

The

Mentoring

Programme

Monitoring

&

Tracking

A Pupils’ Perspective

• Laura Meney, Head Girl

• Hamish Forsythe, Head Boy

Monitoring & Tracking

August / September 2011• Detailed Analysis of S4 Performance• Calculation of “Grade Point Averages (GPA)”

and “Unified Points Score (UPS)”• Check courses are suitable• Information passed to Faculties• Faculties set Target Grades

Monitoring & Tracking

September/ October 2011

• Letters – Homework, Unit Fails etc. (these continue throughout the session as required)

• Support/ advice – ongoing as identified

• Be aware of SQA rules re Assessments.

Monitoring & Tracking

November/ December 2011

• Interim Report Issued – 9th November• Parents’ Evening – 16th November• Interim Report analysis (certificates)• Advice / support discussed as appropriate• Target Grades updated

Monitoring & Tracking

February/ March 2012

• Prelim Exams – start 30th January• Final Target Grade updated• Full Report issued – 9th March• Full report analysis• Advice / support discussed as appropriate

Monitoring & Tracking

May 2012

• SQA Examinations

August 2012

• Comparison of Target grades/ Estimates against candidate performance.

What else can you do?

The

Mentoring

Programme

Monitoring

&

Tracking

Final Pointers

• Look after health – mental & physical

• Good routines are still important

• Part time jobs?

• Consider next steps – motivation.

• Encourage attendance at Mentor Groups

• Contact us

Lastly

• Presentation on Glow

• Pupils know this information already or will learn of it but we want you to be involved ....

Thank You