The Pastoral System at Latymer

Class and Year Groups
Each year group of approximately 180 pupils is split into 6 classes, one for each of the School houses. These class groups remain together through years 7 to 11, meeting for registration and form periods daily, and are taught as a class group in the younger years. A strong sense of coherence and team working is developed over these years, reinforced when each class goes together to our Field Centre in year 7 and again in year 9. Each form has a form tutor who has day to day responsibility for our pupils’ welfare whilst they are in the school. In the lower school this teacher takes lessons with the form on personal and social education.
Each year group has a teacher as Head of Learning ( and an Assistant Head of Learning) for the Year group who stays with the year group from Year 7 to Year 11 and so gets to know everyone very well. Year Heads are generally the primary point of contact for parents wishing to discuss progress or problems with the school.  Assistant Year Heads also act as mentors to pupils experiencing barriers to learning. 

Discipline
High standards of conduct and discipline are expected of pupils. Whilst a body of formal school rules exists the School regards the development and application of self-discipline, resulting from wanting to learn and from an awareness of the needs of others, as rather more important. Students are expected at all times to consider the good of the school as a community, and to respect all members of that community.
The School’s expectations are embodied in a ‘Home/School Agreement’ which parents are asked to sign to indicate their acceptance. For Years 7 to 11, the Agreement includes the requirement to wear school uniform.

Homework
The support of family at home plays an important part in our pupils’ learning. Homework is given on a daily basis and is designed to encourage the development of self-discipline and self-reliance. Homework tasks are varied in their range and demands. Each year group (7 - 11) has a balanced homework time-table: it means our pupils are expected to do 1 hour per night in Year 7, rising to about 2¼ hours in Year 10 and Year 11. There is a homework timetable. Parents are able to review the amount of homework being set by checking their child’s School Planner.

Houses
Our House system is embedded in the traditions of the School and is a great strength. There are 6 of them - Ashworth, Dolbe, Keats, Lamb, Latymer, Wyatt - and every pupil is linked to one of these through his or her class group. Most House activities are run by our senior pupils, elected by pupils in their House. Senior House Staff are involved too.
The Houses operate competitively, in many sporting activities (netball, football and hockey tournaments in winter and in summer, athletics, tennis and cricket.) and non-sporting also, the House Music and Drama competitions for example.
Equally importantly they operate non-competitively, in organising community service activities and in charity fund raising. Each House chooses a charity each year and decides how to fund raise. There are some regular events, like the Dolbe/Keats Christmas Bazaar and others that are specially organised, like cake sales, Valentine’s day greetings letters, non-uniform days and sponsored silences.

Uniform
Pupils in years 7 - 11 are required to wear school uniform. The uniform for boys is a navy blazer, navy jumper, white shirt, grey trousers and school tie and for girls navy skirt or trousers, white blouse, blazer or navy jumper and school tie. Full details of all uniform requirements are provided to new parents in July prior to commencement. There is no uniform for Years 12 & 13 although they are expected to dress to appropriate standards.
A fund for the provision of uniform and equipment for needy pupils has been established by a former pupil. The fund is administered by the Headteacher to whom applications for assistance should be addressed. All requests are dealt with confidentially.

Charging Policy
The school conforms to the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1988 in respect of charges for school activities. Charges will be made for all out of school activities where necessary to cover the cost of providing the activity. Parents will be asked to contribute voluntarily to most visits or journeys which take place in school time and these activities will not normally take place unless parents generally are willing to make these voluntary contributions. For parents whose children are in receipt of the Free School Meal(FSM) award, all such costs will be met by the school. Parents whose circumstances may qualify their children for this award are encouraged to apply to their Local Authority as successful applications will in turn positively impact other aspects of school funding.

Careers Education, Work Experience and Links with Industry and Employers
Careers education enables pupils to make wise and informed choices about their future in Higher Education and at work. It can also be a powerful motivator of students. Responsibility for information and advice about Higher and Further Education and Careers is shared by a team of teachers who maintain close liaison with local Careers Officers (Connexions) and with industry. The School is a member of the North London Chamber of Commerce.
The school's careers provision include a very well stocked careers room which is open to all pupils from the 3rd year onwards. There is an extensive programme which seeks to ensure that every pupil receives appropriate information, advice, support and encouragement in choosing their own academic and career path.

All students are expected to undergo a period of work experience at the end of Y11. Placements are found by the school or by the students themselves and many parents help by offering work opportunities.

Progression Beyond School
The overwhelming majority of pupils age 16+ (approximately 95%) remain at School and take A/AS-level courses. Of those who leave at age 16, almost all transfer to other educational institutions of further education, Of those who leave aged 18, approximately 95% proceed to degree courses at Universities or to other forms of Higher Education in Music, Art and other specialisms. In recent years the number of Latymerians gaining places at Oxford and Cambridge Colleges has grown strongly to more than 20 each year. Former Latymer pupils who gain admission to St. John's College, Cambridge (Edward Latymer's college) or to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (his father’s college) may apply for grants from those colleges from funds endowed for their benefit by the Latymer Foundation.

The Latymer Old Students' Association
After leaving School, Latymerians have the opportunity to keep in touch with the School and with each other through the LOSA and its various activities. The Old Boys' Football Club and the Old Students' Badminton Club are affiliated societies.

Communication with Parents
The School regards effective and two-way communication with parents as vitally important. Our pupils and their parents receive formal school reports, and these are supplemented by evenings set aside for each year group, when parents discuss pupils’ progress with their teachers. Parents are encouraged to contact the school at other times when they are concerned about any aspect of their child’s progress or welfare. A copy of the school complaints procedure is issued to all new parents. Similarly the school will contact parents on any matter of concern. At the wider level the Governors prepare an annual School Profile report for parents. The School produces an annual diary, contained in the child’s School Planner, covering principal events through the year and there are many opportunities for parents to visit for concerts, matches, Speech day, and many others. A termly newspaper, Latymer Link, aims to keep the whole Latymer community - pupils, parents and old students - in touch with developments. The annual School Magazine includes many insights into the wide spectrum of school life.

The Association of Parents and Friends (APFLS)
The Association has two main aims. Firstly, it engages in activities which support the School and advance the education of the pupils. Secondly, it fosters good relationships between staff, parents and others associated with the School. The Association is run by a committee of elected parents together with staff representation. It makes major contributions to the School environment and facilities.  The Head teacher is President of the Association and encourages parents to take part in its many fund-raising and social activities. A major event is the school fete held annually on a Sunday afternoon near the end of the summer term.