Making the Most of Tutor Time

Most secondary school teachers and some support staff will be expected to take on the role of form tutor or mentor along side their other work. What is surprising is how little time, status or attention is given to training and preparation for this pastoral aspect of education, in comparison to subject teaching. This book helps to redress the balance by providing a look at the structure and organisation of pastoral support as well as being full of practical ideas for tutors to use in tutor time. The chapters include: Establishing Routines; The Self Managing Tutor Group; How to Help and Support Individuals; Engaging Parents and Carers; and, Tutoring Over a Whole Year. There is also a Resource Section and CD-ROM which includes a PowerPoint for staff training, proformas for gathering information for parent's evenings and examples of practical activities such as, Jigsaw, Diamond Nine and Hot Seating, as well as useful books and organisations. One secondary academy head wrote, 'I really like it! It is very fresh, practical and full of wisdom. I like the whole section on parental engagement and all the games suggestions, really clear and so simple to pick up and use. And the calendar of the year with tutorial themes is great! But of most use to me and my school is the opening section on routines, expectations and setting the scene, fantastically useful reminders. Thank you so much, this will be my tutorial bible.'

Helen Peter began as a mainstream secondary English and Drama teacher, but has always been drawn to improving the experience and achievement of vulnerable students in the system. Her roles have included pastoral manager, SENCO, Head of a Learning Support Service and a SEN advisor. Helen has direct and recent experience of teaching and training across a wide range of educational settings. These include working with disaffected adolescents and their families and teachers, training teachers in special, primary, secondary schools and in early years' settings in emotional literacy, Circle Time, behaviour management, effective communications and active learning. She has also co-written a book on Circle Time and PSHE in secondary schools. She currently mixes part-time teaching, research and running an educational consultancy. Her next project is researching smaller schools in Finland and other European countries looking at best practice in pastoral care.

Introduction: Why do so Many Teachers Hate Being Tutors?, Chapter 1. Tutoring: The Basics, Chapter 2. Establishing Your Routines, Chapter 3. Building the Tutor Team, Chapter 4. The Self-Managing Tutor Group, Chapter 5. How to Help and Support Individuals, Chapter 6. Engaging Parents 87 Chapter 7. Approaches to Teaching PSHE, Chapter 8. Tutoring Over a Whole Year 115, Resources 159, References