Aims

The school aims to make new arrivals settle in as quickly as possible and to make them aware of the ethos and organisation of the school.

New Pupils

New pupils may join the school at any stage during the school year - either as a group or as individuals. There are, however, occasions when special consideration may need to be given as to the optimum time a new pupil should join.

• Previous to arrival they will have been given information about dates for the year, uniform, travel arrangements, extra-curricular activities, health and safety issues, school rules and organisation generally.
• On first arrival a pupil is greeted by Mrs Charles, Mrs Hoyes the Deputy Headmistress, or the Form Tutor.
• A pupil mentor is chosen to help guide the new pupil for the first few weeks. On the first day the mentor will help by giving a tour of the school, guiding to and from lessons, giving advice about lunch arrangements, health and safety matters, bus arrangements, homework, and ensuring that a locker is provided and a key is issued.
• The Form Tutor has noted any special needs or information concerning the new pupil and keeps a careful watch over the new arrival.
• The Deputy Headmistress speaks to the new arrival after the first 3-4 weeks to check that everything is going well. She has contacted the teaching staff prior to the interview to find out if they have any concerns or positive feedback to give to the pupil. She addresses any problems the pupil, parent(s)/guardian or teachers raise. A letter is sent to the parent(s)/guardian to inform them that all is well. If there are problems the parent(s/)guardian may choose to come in for a meeting or address them by telephone.
• Another monitoring check will be made during the second half of the first new term.

New Members of Teaching Staff

• After appointment and before the start of their employment, new staff are invited to look around the site, become familiar with the staff in their departments and methods of working.
• New members of staff will be given a mentor to help guide them for the first few weeks. The mentor will help by :
• giving a tour of the school with a plan of the site
• advising about procedures for emergency evacuation and health/first aid
• talking about the ethos of the school and its environment and catchment area
• discussing general expectations of staff in terms of what is considered professional and appropriate behaviour such as code of dress details
• providing information about administration, duties, extra-curricular activities, the line management system and staffing structures
• giving advice about basic routines, such as Assemblies, assessment, recording and reporting
• checking there is an understanding of the Pastoral system - discipline, rewards, sanctions, pupil care
• advising on individual responsibilities
• explaining the lines of communication and the issuing of information
• giving information about resources - the location, ordering, stock control, strategies for use and general procedures
• the mentor should also help, if required, with classroom management, strategies and organisation. This may be most likely with a NQT
• checking that the Staff Handbook has been issued where there is written support to back the above
• drawing attention the School Policies folder in the Staff Room

The induction session will happen on the first working day, unless there is a significant number of new staff joining at the beginning of the academic year, when they will be invited to a day which includes induction by the Senior Management Team before teaching begins. The Staff Handbook will be issued and some of the above procedures will be given concentration. Any issues not covered on this Induction day will be followed up by the mentor as detailed above.

Extra Induction required for Newly Qualified Teachers

The NQT Induction programme is planned to

• assist an NQT in becoming part of the whole school team
• help to increase each individual's personal skills and expertise in teaching.
• aid his/her professional development

The school has signed an Agreement with Hampshire County Council to act as the Appropriate Body for NQT Induction. The programme of induction includes the elements which are outlined in the LEA material and followed by the school.

• A School Self-Assessment checklist is completed
• 10% reduction in timetable is applied and properly used
• The Career Entry Profile is copied and is used as a focus for outlining strengths and weaknesses for the first term.
• The NQT has a mentor who will be the guide for the whole academic year. The role is bigger and more formalised than that of a mentor for an experienced teacher. At the initial meeting the focus for the term is fixed. The NQT chooses targets in consultation with the mentor.
• The mentor meets with the NQT each week. Thorough individual advice can be given concerning course structures and content, classroom management and any areas causing concern The focus, planning and targets are monitored. Feedback is given. The log book of lesson planning is checked.
• Classroom observation will be a mixture of informal and formal observations. The first formal classroom observation takes place within the first four weeks. Other formal observations take place at least once per half term by the mentor and the Deputy Head or Head of the Prep Department. Feedback is given to the NQT that day unless there are unforeseen circumstances.
• Induction Assessment forms are completed as required by the LA.
• The LA will provide a qualified Inspector to moderate and verify the support and assessment given by the school.
• Opportunities will be given to the NQT to visit and observe colleagues, and to work alongside them as appropriate.
• If there was a need to help an individual's own professional development visits to other schools will be arranged
• The school supports the NQT in taking a full role within the school beyond the classroom, such as links with parents, extra-curricular activities, trips, visits, and special activities.