Description
Book SynopsisMost 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.'
Trade ReviewPublished reviews "This is an extremely practical and useful book. Helen has managed to bring her wealth of in-school, hands-on experience to bear on tutoring in a more generalised sense. The whole book is garnished with the flavour of real-life experience rather than theoretical rhetoric. It covers a great range of issues that face a form tutor - providing practical activities alongside important contractual information. The games and activities for developing the form group are particularly helpful and can be applied instantly in form time tomorrow morning. The thing I liked best about the book was its transferability from one tutoring context to another. When reading it, I felt that there was practical advice for me whatever the tutoring context or school structure. I also felt that the person imparting this advice had experienced the range of tutoring joys and difficulties. It isn't a book that lies under the rosy glow of theory, but one that can be used to face the harsh glare of Monday morning tutor time with a degree of calm and a measure of confident preparedness." Marilyn Tew, Trainer and Consultant "This is without a doubt a tutor's bible and is as essential for experienced tutors as it for those taking on the role for the first time. It is full of real-life examples which any tutor will be able to empathize with and because of that it's an easy and absorbing read. The practical activities are an absolute godsend and can be put into practice immediately - they are simple to plan for and to deliver. Many are designed to help pupils interact with each other and get to know each other better in order to establish the team ethos of the tutor group. The day to day running of a tutor group and how a self-managing tutor group can be established are described in detail as well as how to meet the needs of the more vulnerable pupils within the group. I loved it! It is certainly the most practical book on tutoring that I have read and I know the tutors in my school will be hugely grateful to Helen and her wealth of experience which permeates through the entire book." Ginny Lean, Assistant Headteacher, Brannel School 'Making the Most of Tutor Time - A Practical Handbook' by Helen Peter came just at the right time for us. We are reviewing how we deliver RE, PSHE, Citizenship in order to further develop confident, empathetic, resilient young people who can ask the right questions and make informed choices. In mapping across curriculum time, form time, assemblies, year and whole school activities, this handbook provides an excellent resource to supplement our Continued Professional Development programme for teachers and pastoral staff. The handbook provides a refreshing range of practical examples of the what, how and why of effective tutoring. Essentially a group coaching, mentoring and team building approach is designed to bring a positive 'can do' attitude to working with individual and groups of students and combined with good practice for engaging parents and carers, teaching PSHE and elevating the role of the tutor. This resource provides us with an excellent basis for CPD and it has also reminded me of why I loved being a tutor and how important the role is in secondary schools today. Valerie Dennis, Headteacher, Eastbrook School
Table of ContentsIntroduction: 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
