Jedburgh Grammar School Pastoral Guidance Department

The work of the Pastoral Guidance Department falls into two main categories:

1. The Personal and Social Education programme(PSE)

2. Individual pastoral guidance

1.  The PSE programme aims to help students

• develop skills of enquiry and communication

• get the best out of school life both academically and socially

• cope with the challenges of being a teenager

• enjoy their leisure time and develop new interests

• develop and maintain good relationships with friends and family

• understand and respect other people and their differences and reject all form of prejudice

• think about their health and personal safety and be aware of their own sexuality

• take pride in personal appearance and care in personal hygiene

• make decisions about future plans and career

• recognise their strengths and achievements and how to make the most of these

• set achievable targets for themselves

• develop independence, self-discipline and responsibility for their actions

• develop social and moral values and responsibility

The programme continues to expand students’ knowledge and awareness and to develop their skills and values, enabling them to make informed decisions in a range of situations concerning health, relationships, academic progress and careers.   Our students are encouraged throughout the course to take an active role in their learning and teaching methods include group and class discussion, role-play, case studies, questionnaires, quizzes and the use of various audio visual and IT resources.  The course is delivered throughout by pastoral guidance staff working directly with the students in their house. 

The learning outcomes of the programme are attached according to year group.  S1 PSE; S2 PSE; S3 PSE; S4 PSE.

 Useful websites: 

Sexual health: www.ruthinking.co.uk       

Drugs and alcohol: www.talktoFRANK.com         

Bullying:  www.bullying.co.uk     

Careers: www.careers-scotland.org.uk

2.  The individual pastoral guidance deals with many of the same areas but on a one to one basis.  This work focuses on the needs, interests and abilities of each youngster.  The one to one work is part of the on-going pastoral programme and of the everyday life of the school while specific work may also arise from self-referrals, referrals from staff or other agencies and concerns raised by family or friends.

The issues dealt with are wide and varied including academic or career concerns and emotional and physical well-being.  Pastoral staff are supported by a number of linked agencies with a variety of expertise, including the school nurse, educational psychologist, community police officer, social worker and counsellors, for example drugs and alcohol counsellors.

Link to Scottish Executive National Review of Guidance  This paper provides the basis for Pastoral Guidance within Jedburgh Grammar School.