Vertical Tutoring : FAQ
- What is Vertical Tutoring?
- Where did the idea come from?
- Why is Notre Dame looking to change?
- How would our House System look at Notre Dame?
- Why this system?
- Will students be taught lessons in these mixed-age groups?
- Won’t this split up friendships?
- Will we put siblings in same group?
- Will this not result in more instances of conflict between older and younger students?
- What about role models among the older students?
- Can we only have it on Week A / B?
- We may not be able to spend much time with all of our friends...
- Only two Sixth Formers allowed in each tutor group?
- ...last thing I heard it was just an idea...
- How will Y7s be placed?
- I don't want this to happen!! If no one likes it will we stay as normal!!?
Do you have a question? If so, please get in touch!
WHAT IS VERTICAL TUTORING?
It is when the tutor groups are arranged in to groups made up of students from mixed years. Currently we have single year tutor groups (e.g. all year 7, 8 etc). A vertical tutor group would have some students from each year group.
WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?
Vertical tutoring is not new! South Dartmoor Community College has been vertical for over 15 years. Other local schools including Eggbuckland, Estover and Tamarside have also changed to a vertical system. At Notre Dame we have seen the successful introduction of a House System and so, for us, VT is the next natural step towards improving our pastoral provision. Vertical Tutoring systems in other schools have been praised by the Government, Ofsted and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust for developing students’ personal skills as well as satisfying the “every child matters” agenda.
WHY IS NOTRE DAME LOOKING TO CHANGE?
Our mission statement is to develop the whole person head, heart and hands. We feel that Vertical Tutoring will enable us to make everyone feel they belong. It will refocus our systems to value learning and the supportive culture needed to have learning conversations.
HOW WOULD OUR HOUSE SYSTEM LOOK AT NOTRE DAME?
We currently have five houses. This will stay the same, but we will increase the number of tutor groups from 6 to 7 in each House. Each house will initially have 4 students from Year 7 – 11 and around 4-5 sixth formers making a total number of students 23/24.
WHY THIS SYSTEM?
Vertical tutoring is one of the features of many of the top achieving schools in the country, disproportionately so amongst the government’s named top ten schools. Feedback from schools where it works currently quotes the following :
- A greater family environment in the school, everyone is approachable, no “year group” or “gang-like” cultures or perceived blocks against talking to older students.
- Tutors can be the tutors and the mentors – mentoring would not be extra. “Peer mentoring” happens naturally as older students talk to younger students (e.g.: Year 10 supporting Year 8 and 9 with options)
- Smaller numbers in each tutor group meaning more time for tutors to talk to students as individuals. This is especially important at different times of the year for different year groups: Year 10 and 11 exam revision or coursework, Year 8/9 options, Year 13 UCAS applications.
- Working with people of different age groups is a more normal social environment. It will help prepare more for the world of work or further education.
- VT gives better leadership opportunities to students. The best Curriculum Vitae and / or UCAS reference is much more about personal qualities and skills than simply high academic grades.
- Allows learning conversations to take place, both between tutor and student and student to student.
- Increases tutors’ knowledge and expertise as the whole school is involved in initiatives with every year group – but only with a small number of students each.
- Improves exam results through improved mentoring and target setting processes.
- Creates a calmer, more mature, more productive form time.
WILL STUDENTS BE TAUGHT LESSONS IN THESE MIXED-AGE GROUPS?
No. Students will be in their vertical group for tutor period every morning for 25 minutes from 11.10- 11.35. In lessons, students will be with various students of their own age.
WON'T THIS SPLIT UP FRIENDSHIPS?
It is not in anyone’s interest to isolate people! This will go against all our beliefs!
As we plan the vertical tutor groups, students will be able to give the names of some students they would prefer to stay with. As long as we agree this is a good idea we would try to accommodate this in the groupings. If the behaviour of the suggested groupings is not appropriate then we cannot guarantee those students will be put together.
Remember this is only for 25 minutes (6%) of the day and does not affect lesson time or social time where students are free to mix with their year group or anyone from any year in any other form! There will also be the opportunity for year groups to have social time during some tutor sessions throughout the year.
WILL WE PUT SIBLINGS IN THE SAME GROUP?
We do not intend to put siblings in the same group unless parents request this. We do want to try to put students in the same House if possible so that families can communicate with one Head of House who knows them well.
WILL THIS NOT RESULT IN MORE INSTANCES OF CONFLICT BETWEEN OLDER AND YOUNGER STUDENTS?
We find that the majority of such incidents occur within a year group, generally within friendship groups and not across year groups. Conflict rarely occurs as a result of a random encounter and almost always takes place outside of the classroom and most often outside school (for example on MSN, Facebook or simply on the school bus)! Our experience is that older students are usually keen to ‘look out’ for younger students and naturally feel a responsibility to nurture younger students. This is typified by the number of older students who help out when Year 6 students join and also during schemes like the “Big Sister” project or “paired reading” schemes.
WHAT ABOUT ROLE MODELS AMONG THE OLDER STUDENTS?
We are happy that there are many excellent role models who, with the encouragement of the tutor, can be developed to take a leading role in establishing the ‘family’ atmosphere which we believe will be one of the many benefits of Vertical Tutoring. Our experience suggests that older students are more focused when there are young students present, lessening incidents where they might become distracted by their peers.
With vertical tutoring, can we only have it on either week a or b so that we still get time to spend time with our friends that we have just made and so we can do lessons like PSHE, drama and all the other lessons that you do in a tutor group at your own level? Also, some people might not feel comfortable with older and younger people in their social time because the subjects of conversation would probably vary greatly. Thanks for listening to my opinion.
Year 7 student
Having two different structures in different weeks would be very difficult for us to organise - and it would end up meaning you had two tutors: one for your vertical class and one for your year class.
Vertical tutoring only affects tutor time, so you will still have lessons as normal. Lessons like PSHE would be in your House with your year group.
So, as you are in a Year 7 form you would still have PSHE, for example, with those students.
Some people may feel uncomfortable with people who are not their own age to start with, because they are not used to it. But the evidence we have from other schools shows that this doesn't last for long - often you make more friends in other years who can help and support you. And if older students become friends they then seem less scary. Imagine how good it will be, when you get to Year 9 options, to be able to talk to older students in your vertical tutor group who have been through it and can help you..
We may not be able to spend much time with all of our friends because we are only allowed to choose one friend. If we fall out we will not be able to speak to our other friends as much as we would like because we won't be seeing as much of them. For the year sevens (like me) we have just made lots of new friends and we will be parted from some of them by VT. Please take this into consideration.
Year 7 student
You may not be able to spend the 25 minutes of tutor time with all the friends you have now - but you will still have before and after school, break and lunchtime and lessons. And, from the evidence we have from other schools, you will also make new friends in other years to add to the friends you already have. Lessons like PSHE and Drama, that you have with your tutor group now, you will still have with them next year.
Often, when girls in a year group fall out, they feel very isolated because friends in that year group take sides. With VT, if you fall out with some other Y7s, you will also have older students who can support you.
Hello I am writing to put my point across as a 6th former with the VT.
Since year 11 I have noticed my year group has slowly grown further apart. I know you said that it’s selfish to think about your own year but I can personally say this must have happened to others because of the house system changing. I personally see your own view on it as it would be lovely to see Year 7s looking up to us 6th formers as role models. But I just have to say I have two best friends and it said on the Powerpoint that there are only two 6th formers allowed in each tutor group. I know I should be mature enough to be able to be apart from my friends but I have been in the same tutor as them for nearly 6 years now. I see your point in that you want change and people do not like change but personally I think you will see a negative change in many Year 8,9 and 10 pupils during tutor time. I truly thank Mr Futcher for putting so much of his own time into this project as I know he is trying to make a difference to this school. I would be thankful if you could read my concerns and get back to me.
Year 12 student
Though we don't always like to think it, that growing apart you talk about is a natural part of life. While some people maintain firm and close friendships others shift and change because of all sorts of circumstances. As we grow, and move on, it's inevitable. I guess that's why social networking is so popular as it is an easy and quick way to maintain some link with people you've known.
That's why I understand the importance of the friendships you do have.
Certainly VT is not about breaking friendships. Although it is about making more effective use of tutor time for academic and pastoral support, it is also about widening community - and you may make new friends in addition to the ones you have now. Age doesn't really control friendship: if it did, then I wouldn't have any contact with one of my best friends in Plymouth who is 6 years older than me nor others who are two or 3 years younger! But I understand your concerns. In light of this, one of the things we are currently considering is having 4 6th form students in a VT group rather than two 12s and 2 13s. This could mean, then, that 4 Y12s are together, for example.
I appreciate very much your understanding of the VT approach. 6th formers should not be seen as scary and distant, but as positive role models. Evidence from other schools suggests that younger years respond positively to being around older students rather than negatively. If there are issues around attitude then, as now, the tutor has a significant role to play.
I was shocked to see that they had already started to organise the vertical tutoring when last thing I heard it was just an idea. They have just started to do it without concerning the people that it is going to effect, the students. Many 6th formers that I have spoken to are against the idea. To really get the opinion of the students I think that you should give us the opportunity to vote, now we have had the assembly telling us about the ins and outs of the system. This will get the raw opinion of the students and the right decision.
Year 12 student
I'm sorry that people are shocked by the move to VT and feel that they have not been consulted. One way or another VT has been in the air for over a year. Granted not every single person has been consulted but a representative view has been taken, including the views of staff, governors (who include parents) and students. While there are some who have voiced concern about VT, the general consensus from all those views is largely positive. In any consultation process there comes a point where the views have to be weighed and some may find the decision goes against their opinion.
In planning and researching VT it is evident that no school has managed to find a completely effective way to introduce the change. There are always people who are against the idea. But it is also evident that, once VT has been introduced, few people want to go back to the old system (which is largely a nineteenth century invention and based on your age at 1st September!).
Voting is always an option in a free and flowing democracy. But, however much we might not like it, schools are not democratic 'one person one vote' states but business organisations that pay professionals to manage them and deliver results. Our job is to take a strategic view of the future direction of education and the future needs of our students so that we secure the success of Notre Dame now and for future years. As one of those paid professionals I am absolutely convinced that VT is a positive change for you and other Y12s should you wish to engage with it:
- You will be in a smaller tutor group.
- You will be one of a smaller number of 6th form students in that tutor group so your tutor will be able to give you more individual attention at the times you need it. If there are discussions, for example, about personal statements at UCAS time, your tutor will have fewer 6th formers to deal with.
- We know that universities are looking for additional ways to discriminate between candidates with the same grades. VT gives 6th form students an opportunity to engage formally (and with accreditation) in activities such as peer mentoring which can be included in personal statements. I have been in situations with 6th form students doing their UCAS applications who have been so focused on their subjects that they are really casting around for something extra to say - and a 'thin' statement look bad.
- Under VT 6th form students become positive, supportive role models rather than scary distant big kids.
When the new Year 7s join and they don't have anyone in their year that is coming to Notre Dame, how will they choose who they would like to be with if they don't know anyone? Will you just put them into a class of people that they don't know, I would have thought they might be a bit scared. But what if the people they are with are nasty to them can they change if they would like to?
Year 8 student
When Y7s join Notre Dame we take a lot of time and care to place them in groups that will suit them. We talk to Y6 teachers and listen to what they say and we try to get a balance of people, skills and interests in each tutor group. Y6 students also pick a ‘buddy’ to be with from their primary school. Where possible we keep them in groups of four so that they know each other. This will continue with VT.
Every year we have about 20 students who come from primary schools on their own. We make groups of four out of these single people too, where we can, but then we still have to put them in a tutor group with other Y7s they don't know. With VT we might be able to put a single student with other students who used to go to their primary school: if there is someone in Y8 who was at their school that they liked, they could be with them.
VT stops school being so scary. Older students in Y11 and 6th form are in your class so you get to know them and quickly realise they're not really big and scary at all!
As now, if there are real problems in tutor groups, we try to sort them and will move students if absolutely necessary. Under VT we will have more tutor groups in each House to move people to.
I don’t want this to happen!! If no one likes it will we stay as normal!!?
Year 8 student
I’m afraid not. There’s just too much evidence from other schools that it works...otherwise we wouldn’t be doing it!
Besides you have lots of friends and I know you will cope really well!
It is something that we will all get used to...in a year’s time we won’t even think about it!
Stay positive now! You've a lot to offer ND!
