At Blessington Community College we believe that ongoing monitoring of pupil performance is vital to ensuring that students work to the best of their ability and achieve all they are capable of. We have a number of procedures in place to monitor student progress, identify under-achievement and ensure students are achieving all they are capable of:

Recognising Achievement – we believe that achievement montivation is the best form of encouragement for students. With this in mind we strive to recognise and reward effort and achievement whenever possible. This takes place in a variety of ways; informally during or after class, at year-group assemblies, at the annual prize-giving ceremony, by invitation to take part in the end-of-year rewards trip etc.

Ongoing Informal Reporting – if subject teachers have concerns about particular students they can refer them to their Class Tutors or Year Heads who will address the issue with the students and put in place procedures for improving performance.

Frequent Progress Reports – at regular intervals teachers are asked to report any students who are not working to the best of their abilities. The details of these will be passed on to Year Heads, the Deputy Principal and Principal who will address the relevant issues with students and, if necessary, parents.

Target Setting – subject teachers, using their knowledge of each student and drawing on their teaching experience, will set individual targets for each student. These targets will be reviewed on an on-going basis and where students are under-performing, measures will be taken address this.

Homework Monitoring - homework is vital to student success in school and we take it very seriously. At the end of each school day teachers submit to the Principal and relevant Year Head the names of any students who may not have completed their homework or done it to the standard of their ability. This allows us to flag up at an early stage pupils who may not be working to the best of their ability.

Attendance Monitoring – high school attendance is vital if students are to achieve all they are capable of. It is with this in mind that the school monitors student attendance quite rigorously. The parents of absent students will receive a text message on the morning of the day on which the student is absent. The Principal and Year Heads will review individual student attendance on an ongoing basis. Where necessary, parents will be asked to meet with the Principal to discuss the student’s attendance. If a student misses over 20 days a year they will be referred to the National Education Welfare Board.

School Reports & Parent/Teacher Meetings – parents receive two written reports each year and are invited to attend a parent/teacher meeting. These are vital in keeping parents informed about their child’s progress.

There are a number of key members of staff who play a vital role in the monitoring of student progress:

Subject Teachers – these are the members of staff who have most academic contact with the pupils. Subject teachers monitor student progress on an ongoing basis. Where students are performing particularly well they will be praised for their effort. Where students are under-performing, the teacher will discuss this with the student with a view to improving the student’s level of attainment. If necessary the student will be referred to their Class Tutor or Year Head.

Class Tutors – each student will have a form tutor who knows that student personally and has an overview of their performance across all their subjects as well as pastorally. The form teacher will review the students’ journal on a weekly basis to ensure they are working effectively. If students are not performing to their potential, this will be addressed on a one-to-one level. If this does not have the desired effect the student will be referred to the Year Head or Deputy Principal.

Year Heads – each year group has a specific Year Head with responsibility for the oversight of the students within that year group. Any issues with regard to pupils’ academic performance, attendance, behaviour or pastoral wellbeing which are causing a problem for the student will be addressed by the Year Head. If necessary, Year Heads may contact parents to discuss these issues for the benefit of the student.

Where issues raised by subject teachers, Class Tutors or Year Heads are not remedied, they will be forwarded to the Deputy Principal or Principal. These will work with students and parents to ensure that pupils are working to the best of their ability to achieve all they are capable of.

At the heart of all we do in Blessington Community College is a concern for the overall wellbeing of the students. All matters will be dealt with with this in mind.