Tutor Time

Tutoring at Altwood

“I have come that they may have life in all its fullness.”  John 10:10

Our tutor system is the foundation of students being known and valued at Altwood. Our pastoral team are there to support students in their journey, helping them to succeed. We have a two-tier vertical system; lower school tutor groups consist of students from Years 7-10, whilst the upper school tutor groups consist of students from Years 11-13.

The vertical tutoring and complimentary house system supports the school’s value of students living life in all its fullness. Students can flourish through their interactions with peers from different year groups. Both lower school and upper school tutor groups follow a comprehensive and varied programme. The theme of the term provides an opportunity for students to reflect and develop their opinions, with the theme being intrinsically linked to the assemblies. All students explore British Values, Citizenship, current affairs and Careers as part of their tutor programme.

The upper school tutors have an adapted programme that challenges our more senior students to explore their place within the school community and the wider society. They engage in projects that encourage leadership, courageous advocacy and have an impact on their school. This includes leading charity events and delivering assemblies.

Students are placed into one of three houses when they join the school: Faith, Hope or Joy. The use of Gospel values for the houses reflect how tutoring is seen as one tool to underpin the ethos of the school. Students are keen to represent their houses through the wide range of competitions. Every Friday there is a house competition for the whole school, a few firm favourites are the ‘slow bike race’, the ‘Altwood Dance’ and ‘University Challenge’. Students have a healthy sense of competition and a desire to be crowned house champions at the end of the academic year. 

The pastoral system recognises students’ individual strengths, with praise and recognition a feature of tutor sessions and assemblies. Attendance, punctuality and engagement in learning are rewarded alongside sporting success and leadership.   

A supportive and varied tutor programme ensures students have a positive start to their day.