An Evaluation of Pastoral Care with Remedial Classes.

Pyart, Bruce (1984). An Evaluation of Pastoral Care with Remedial Classes. BPhil thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000f943

Abstract

The emergence of a national system of comprehensive education heralded the advent of ’pastoral care' as a specified structure and organisation strategy in secondary schools. In its tripartite form of vocational, educational, and personal guidance, pastoral care has been conceived to meet the growing needs of all pupils in an age of social and technological change. The study investigates, analyses, and evaluates pastoral care with special education pupils in the first year of a comprehensive secondary school.

Pastoral care is designed to diagnose needs and to help pupils - irrespective of ability and personal advantage - develop good relationships and cope with problems and adjustment. Children with special educational needs experience difficulty in mental, physical, cognitive, or emotional functioning, and may require additional help compared with their peers in the ordinary classes.

Teachers perspectives of pastoral care, and of special education, may vary markedly within a comprehensive school. Definitive statements as to what constitutes the most effective system of pastoral care, where special education classes exist, cannot be expected. Nevertheless, it is hoped the evidence and arguments offered in the study will help to support the viewpoint that children with special educational needs in the first year of a comprehensive school require a well organised pastoral care system, with clearly defined aims, objectives, responsibilities, and with ample resources of time, teaching staff, and facilities allocated to it to function effectively. Pupils are of equal worth: where there is segregation, pastoral care must ensure the progress of all pupils is monitored to achieve proper pupil placement. The suitability of those entrusted with pastoral and managerial responsibilities would be paramount in contributing towards a meaningful system.

It was hoped the investigation would show how useful a subjective, illuminative evaluation of pastoral care can be in highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, and in providing an opportunity to bring about change that should be of mutual benefit to teachers and pupils in that organisation.