Crofton House School
19
STRENGTHENING SUPPORT AT EVERY GRADE
CHS Head of Grade Program in the Senior School
Supporting the way girls learn best at solution to better equip them for
each stage of growth and development success. “We created a Day One and a
is a priority at Crofton House. The Day Two binder with four tabs in each
Head of Grade Program, introduced to cover eight subjects,” she explains.
in the 2017-2018 school year, provides “Now, we require that teachers monitor
grade-specific support and oversight and do a binder check at the end of the
for students through a designated week to keep the girls on track.”
teacher. “The Head of Grade is someone
who is thinking about the experience The Head of Grade is also in a position
of the girl at a very specific age and to turn developmental knowledge
stage,” says Lois Rowe, Deputy Head into proactive support. Aimee-
and Director of the Senior School. Claire Lees, Head of Grade 9, saw
“They are the experts of the grade that students sometimes struggled
experience for girls and have a sense with friend groups through the first
few months of the year. In response,
of all of the dynamics of that grade.”
she developed a number of advisory
Heads of Grade are able to create activities designed to break down
continuity and provide information cliques and boundaries early on. “It’s
through the Advisory and Iv y about knowing when stress times
Compass programs to best support are,” she says. “Are they overloaded
students. In partnership with those with assessments or challenges with
programs, the Head of Grade’s role is friends? Knowing those pressure
about identifying grade-wide issues points throughout the year is key.”
and implementing solutions – big and
While Head of Grade programs are
small.
common in other independent schools,
For example, Christina Cuk, Head of Crofton House is unique in that Heads
Grade 8, noticed that the transition to of Grade will stay in their specific
the Senior School sometimes meant grade instead of moving through the
students experienced challenges with Senior School with each class. “While
organization and so come up with a advisors progress with a small group of
girls throughout their Crofton House
Senior School journey, the Head of
Grade is the constant for a specific
grade. That way when an advisor
moves into a grade the Head of Grade
can help them with what a girl in that
grade needs,” says Lois. “It’s a way of
making sure the program is delivered
consistently while continuing to
refine the curriculum and programs
for the grade.”
“The Head of
Grade program
provides grade-
specific support
and oversight for
students through
a designated
teacher.”