Dull tutor group

[ShoutyMcShouty]

I'm after some advice from fellow tutors please...
I've recently returned from mat leave. An NQT covered my group whilst I was off, he tells me they have been hell. Before I left, they were quite dull but no real issues. I am now finding that previously unassuming but nice pupils are now a bit ruder and argumentative. Sweet girls have become sulky and bitchy. One of the girls is now head girl. I was really pleased to find this out but now realise she is very arrogant and acts like she is "above the law". I do accept that they are a bit older and have developed but I'm disappointed it has been for the worst. (I've had previous groups who really grew in to mature, lovely people, whom I really bonded with)
At the start of term, I thoughtfully designed a seating plan that mixed them up a bit to tackle some issues but have not been too harsh on separating all friendship groups. But they have behaved appallingly every tutor time and I have now sat everyone away from friends (this has worked beautifully in the fact that it's now silent bliss).
I was very angry with them today due to their lack of respect. I overheard head girl saying "what's the point in tutor time if we can't sit together. I just won't bother turning up" she intended for me to hear this. I'm so disappointed in this girl who I previously thought was a studious, helpful and mature, young lady, but her snide comment shows that she doesn't know how to set an example for other pupils.
They've always been a class that didn't volunteer for events, attend clubs or joined in competition. I've tried hard over the years to create tutor time activities to engage them. But now I'm so deflated, I feel like leaving them in their current seating plan and do silent reading every day.
I'm conflicted between wanting to build a rapport with them or just do the bare minimum for an easy life and hope for some better people next time round.
Sorry it's sooo long! Any thoughts, different perspectives are welcome!
Thanks for reading.

I've had a similar group. One thing I did was try to have a 1-1 conversation with 1 or 2 of them each tutor time whilst the others read or did HW. I'm not sure what age yours are but I told mine it was to prep for writing their UCAS personal statement. Talking to them individually meant they tended to be politer (we sat in an office off the classroom) and actually reminded me that they were quite interesting people in terms of hobbies etc. It also meant I had things to talk to them about that made them feel I was interested in them. Some of them remained quite dull (!) but I ended up having a much better relationship with them. Also, it might sound odd, but some of them were cross at me for leaving them for a year and wanted to get their own back by being rude! A few even apologised at the end of the year for their earlier behaviour.

To be honest I'd try to get them on side, I presume they are year 11? Let them sit where they want unless there's an organised activity.

I agree with the comments about how it depends on their age. If they're Y10, I think you need to deal with them as a class, and bring them into line. If older, I would let them sit where they like unless you're teaching them (we have to teach ours PSHE every week).

Definitely, make friends with them. My last tutor group had a gang of lads who were lovely, but pushed their luck, so that I had to get cross. The one before had a few unhappy and bitchy girls, but over Year 11, they all come good, and I miss them. I love having 6th form tutor groups, but it can be chilly if you've never had anything to do with them before. Now I've been in school a while, that's not the case.

I English lessons, you see a different side to kids when they do their speaking and listening presentations. Not suggesting you do that, but them to write a letter to you about themselves, their family, how they feel about school and what they see for themselves in the future. It would give you a starting point for some interesting conversations.

Thank you! My "problem" is that they are a vertical tutor group so a mix of all years. In practice it doesn't really work if you have a group like mine. I pretty much did let them choose their seats to start with but they just chatted throughout the reg. I was basically sick of being ignored unless I shouted. I think I can win them over but it's hard work for so little reward 😓

Let them crack on with silent reading, if they can't be pleasant don't waste your time trying to entertain them.

Well after today I agree @hmyh23. Some of them try to just sit where they liked again, I guess to test how serious I am, I of course made them move back. The head girl of all people actually said "what's the point for 5 minutes". I lost my rag and gave her a proper bollocking (in front of the class). I'm not sure she deserves to be head girl. I've since found out that other members of staff have found her arrogant. Even the naughties just did what they were told. I have in the past bought games for them to play and brought cakes in on people's birthdays. I shan't waste my effort or money again. Sorry for the rant. Just so disappointed.

Totally get it, I also have a vertical form, and the last 3yrs it's gone down hill in terms of apathy and not being bothered to do anything or join in. I'm not making the effort any more, frankly I have more important things to do so if they want it this way they can have it.

Sorry I sound so grumpy! There's a great atmosphere in lots of my teaching groups so I just concentrate on them. Of course I don't mind cajoling kids to do stuff but when everything is met with apathy and eye rollinh arrogance then they can stuff it, tbh I'd love not to have a form group and just have that time each day to get on with the 4 million other things I have to do.

That is a rubbish situation!
Re. the head girl: somebody with that attitude does not deserve to have such a high profile position. I would have a serious 1:1 with her and tell her that you will recommend to the head to relieve her of her duties!

I have no experience with vertical tutor groups, but it sounds tricky. Nothing but sympathy here!

I've never had a vertical tutor group, but I imagine it's really hard to build a sense of a group once it's lost. As it's only September, you can't just leave things to get worse.

In recent years, I've had older tutor groups, and that's the way I like it. I'm more than happy for them to sit and chat so long as they shut up when I'm talking, but there is nothing expected of us beyond the register and reading out notices. If we have to do something like fundraising, there is normally a core of keen or conscientious kids, and I try to jolly the others along.

I would recommend building relationships with individuals and groups as others have said. Maybe do a quick 1:1 mentoring interview with a couple every week, so that generate some conversation?

Have you tried a quick circle time? I have a mixed year forn class (yr11-13). I'm in NZ. We played some games, did a"hat of fear", where you all name something your scare of on a piece of paper. Then they are all pulled out and you guess who wrote it. Just allowed us to get to know one another and laugh together.

@hmyh23 you don't sound grumpy but have described exactly how I feel now. The issue during tutor time is chatting but they don't stop unless I shout, moment of silence and then start again. I teach all of them in my subject and they are mostly fine during lessons! I can't get over how rude they are, they refer to me as "she" and "her" even in ear shot. I find this really rude.
@lavenderbongo I've tried lots of stuff before to help immersion and team building but they are not interested. Last week, one tutee told me it was his birthday, he friend wanted to sing happy birthday, we started singing but no one else joined in! The boys got a bit embarrassed and we didn't even finish the song.
Some lovely yr 11s left last year and I do miss them, they led the group a bit more and I guess the new year 11s are not much to look up to! Vertical tutor group can work if they are nice!