The Coppice House System

At Coppice, we use a 'Vertical Tutoring' system in which tutor groups are made up of students from all year groups; 7 - 13. It was introduced at Coppice in 2009 and has been a great success.

Tutor groups belong to one of four houses - each one named after an important local historical landmark. The houses are called Bantock, Chillington, Moseley and Wightwick. Each House has a Head of House and Assistant Head of House who monitor the achievement and well-being of the students in their care. Each House is represented by a colour, with students wearing a school tie in the colour of their House:

• Bantock - Blue
• Chillington - Red
• Moseley - Yellow
• Wightwick - Green

Bantock is based in the new Discovery block. As each phase of our new building is completed, the other houses will be based as follows: Moseley in Communication, Chillington in Performance and Wightwick in Creative.

Each House has 10 tutor groups; each group has approximately 23 students from across all year groups, plus Sixth Form co-tutors. The House system provides invaluable support for students in all year groups. The Vertical Tutor system allows greater co-operation between all years and is crucial at key times in student's education, for example choosing options. Students are able to speak to others in their tutor group or House who have actually been through these processes. Older students may also help, guide and support younger members of the form with settling in, personal organisation, homework and so on.

For students who require additional support we have two Key Stage Managers. One who is responsible for Key Stage 3 and another for Key Stages 4 & 5. Their role is extremely varied and they are able to offer support to students and families who require specialist support in pastoral care.

During tutor time each day students complete a range of activities including topic work based on themed weeks, Form challenges, quizzes and competitions, discussions about current affairs plus charitable events. The Academic Tutor will also have discussions with students about their academic progress and implement any measures necessary to support the student's learning and progress.

There is also a range of Inter-House competitions taking place throughout the year. This fosters a competitive spirit between the students and staff - which will be the most successful House? The Inter-House competitions range from the sporty and athletic, to performing challenges and more academic challenges including maths quizzes, poetry competitions and lots more.

At Coppice Performing Arts School we love to reward our students for the excellent work and progress that they make, as well as recognising students who have made a positive contribution to the school or wider community. We have a large number of ways that we reward students, but the main reward system is based on House points. Every student at Coppice sets up a bank account with NatWest Bank when they join the school. When students achieve excellent work or progress they are rewarded with House Points. Every House point is worth 20p and Commendations; rewarded for exceptional performance or contribution, are worth &£1.00.

House points are collected and monitored by the Academic Tutor. At the end of each academic year the money from the House points is transferred to the student's bank account. Students are only allowed to access their account on completion of their compulsory full-time education.

Introducing the House team at Coppice:

• Bantock - Head of House - Miss S McKenna
  Assistant Head of House - Mr C Rowley
• Chillington - Head of House - Mrs K Rhodes
  Assistant Head of House - Mrs G Fitzgerald
• Moseley - Head of House - Mr M Dodd
  Assistant Head of House - Miss L Willetts
• Wightwick - Head of House - Mr M Dowson
  Assistant Head of House - Mrs L Holdcroft

Key Stage Managers:

• Miss R Carnall - Key Stage 3 Manager
• Mr R Wheeler - Key Stages 4 & 5 Manager