Page 11 - Handbook for House Staff Aug2024

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Top Tips for new HouseMs
1. Be a big presence around the House e.g. break times, start and end of terms. Visit every room every day. Be unpredictable in your movements. Pop up at unexpected times and places.
2. Form a strong House team. Look after all members of the team e.g. break-time tea/coffee with pupils and cleaners. Regular meetings with senior pupils. Look after Catering staff. Run important things past other relevant staff before making a decision. Senior pupils and other staff such as cleaners will know what it really going on in the House.
Work hard to form a strong House identity.
3. Talk to the pupil first. Whenever you receive a query about a pupil (e.g. from a parent or colleague) speak to the pupil first (nearly) all of the time. They will nearly always hold the most information about that particular issue.
4. Always run small problems past someone else (e.g. your mentor or colleagues) before they become big problems. SLT like to be kept informed and they will often be able to give useful advice.
5. Be “light but tight” and “firm but fair” with your discipline. Consistency is key. As a new staff member follow the rules and explain to the pupils that you have no choice but to do this. Blame the DHP and SDH for unpopular decisions – that is what we are here for!
6. Have lots of conversations with all the pupils. Remember the quieter pupils who can slip under the radar. On a scale of 1-10 how happy are you? Why? What could be done to increase it to a 10?
HouseMs should try to conduct end-of-term reviews with all pupils before you writing reports.
7. Spend time with the pupils e.g. celebrate birthdays. Organise cocoa nights etc.
8. Spend lots of time with the new pupils. Lots of time and investment will pay dividends later. Communicate regularly with their parents e.g. several short, positive emails in that first week. Be firm with the junior pupils, especially the FY. Be more collaborative with senior pupils.
9. Set high standards for daily routines e.g. dress and punctuality. Pupils will generally rise to high expectations.
10. Give yourself time before replying to parents. Rarely answer instantly (otherwise they will expect it all of the time!)
Give yourself thinking time. Parents are not your friends (some may become friends after their children have left the school). Be friendly and always professional.
11. Safeguarding. Make sure you protect yourself. Be very familiar with KCSIE etc. Knock before entering rooms, prop the door open, follow the rules about pupils entering private side etc. Be visible to other adults and pupils. Avoid any potential claims of favouritism.
12. Praise in public. Criticise in private.