Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope that the young person in your care has settled well into their second year and is enjoying all of the opportunities that Varndean Sixth Form College has to offer.
As I am sure you are aware, a significant part of college provision is not only focused upon the development of learning but also of personal values and preparation for life outside of college. The Pastoral Curriculum provides a combination of support, skills development, progression mapping and engagement alongside personal safety topics. Personal Tutors support students from a holistic perspective and offer regular 1:1s to help learners set targets and work towards meeting their potential. This year, there are some changes to the way that Tutorial is delivered at Varndean Sixth Form College.
Tutorial Structure
The structure of the Tutorial sessions at Varndean Sixth Form College has changed this year, and students are now expected to attend in-person lessons in a group Tutorial setting weekly. Last academic year, these sessions were fortnightly, but feedback suggested that students and staff were keen to move to a weekly format. These registered weekly sessions will be formed of Pastoral Curriculum content and 1:1 sessions. There may be some weeks where the sessions are entirely focused on 1:1s. The Pastoral Curriculum is made up of topics which may have been initially introduced through PSHE sessions in school and within their first year of Tutorial.
Upcoming Tutorial Curriculum Content
Our Tutorial curriculum will soon be focusing on key life skills and personal safety issues. To further support the delivery of curriculum topics in this unit of the Tutorial Curriculum, the Brighton and Hove Sexual Health and Contraception Services SHAC team will be providing a Tutorial session to further support the knowledge and understanding of contraception and sexual health. This is a session which is highly valuable for all students to attend and continues the development of understanding that would have been started through statutory sessions that would have been provided at Secondary School. Having carefully considered the content, if you have any concerns and you do not wish the young person in your care to attend the sessions detailed above, please email information@varndean.ac.uk to notify us of their absence from a particular session in advance.
Safe And Well at School Survey - Brighton and Hove Council
This term, pupils/students across Brighton and Hove in Years 4-6 / 7-11 / 12-13 will participate in the Safe & Well at School Survey. This is an online, anonymous bi-annual city-wide survey for children and young people aged between 7 and 18. The survey asks a range of questions about school/college, health and wellbeing and other experiences. We participate in this survey to help further understand the wider experiences of our young people. Data from all schools and colleges is also collated to provide city-wide information about young people's experiences, and this is used to improve services and support for children and young people through Brighton and Hove Council.
This survey will take place in Tutorial sessions where students will be informed of the reasons for the survey and how the information shared helps to inform the provision in the City for young people. During this time, it is also explained to all that this is a confidential survey and they cannot be identified by the information that is collected. Students are also asked to speak to a member of staff or other trusted adult if participating in the survey makes them feel worried or concerned. If you have any questions regarding this survey and would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Finally, the young person in your care is directly supported by their Personal Tutor, and if you should have any questions or concerns about this letter or college life, more generally, then they are your first point of contact. You will be able to find the details of the assigned Personal Tutor via Parent Portal and access an email address for them on this platform.
Yours sincerely
George Marshall
Director of Pastoral and Safeguarding
