What will be helpful for me as a Year 7 tutor?

[WomanInTheWindow]

From next Tuesday I am going to be a Year 7 tutor. It will be new to me as in the past I have either been a sixth form tutor or key stage 4 due to how the year groups were arranged. I have taught Year 7 extensively as I teach English and drama so I have experience with their learning styles and range etc.

This is what makes me want to know from parents or other teachers - what are the things that it is good to know? What will be important to them? We have had our transition days for two days - I have met them, we have done get to know you activities, map of school etc. But it will now be their school and I will be one of their main points of contacts.

One of the key things I want to get across is the importance of kindness and looking after each other etc. I want to get to know them. I have some vulnerable students in terms of their background or learning needs that obviously have further information I have gone through from the SENCO etc.

I would say listen to parents concerns.

I know the default is to think parents can't cope with their little darlings growing up - but I got that attitude and my son had had a breakdown by end of year 7.

I'd also say remind them to talk to you. Tell them anything can be discussed at anytime. Don't make assumptions. Some are just turned 11 and those who are naturally at the lower end developmentally socially and emotionally and poorly organised will find it a huge jump.

I wouldn't give out your email to parents or you'll spend every waking minute answering emails about forgotten PE kits and friendship falling outs .

Yeah, I don't give out my email address. Or school policy is that parents email the office and they redirect it to the correct member of staff. Then I can either reply directly to the parent, this giving them my email (which I do if I have built a relationship with the family) or send my reply via the school office (which I do for the families I don't know very well yet), or even more likely, I'll phone them so we can have an actual conversation about what's bothering them.

More commonly though, emails would not be directed to me as form tutor, they would be directed to pastoral staff who would then speak to any/all relevant teachers about the issue (or non-issue as the case may be)