Can I begin by asking you a question; what kind of tutor/mentor are you? Are you the one who deems form groups an ‘additional task’ or are you someone who sees this important post as vital to the performance and well-being of your students?
If it’s the former, then you’re clearly the inflatable teacher in the inflatable school with a pin in your hand- you’re letting everyone down, including yourself!
For me, being a form tutor is not only one of the most rewarding posts in the school, but it can at times be the most testing. Very often, you have limited time with your students, have to deliver PSHE, have to hand out notices and letters, sign journals and still try to find time to undertake initiatives which you wish to implement to create your culture within your group.
The part I also find the most challenging, but again the most rewarding when things go right, is that your form group are a reflection of you. Personally, I believe an effective tutor sees the students almost like their own children in the school (this is where some teachers will say that, to a degree, we need this mindset for all students), which means that when they perform badly they embarrass you.
I remember when I use to get ‘the chat’ from my mother before a family meal at nan’s house. You know the one? “You will not shout, or argue, or get down from the table….” And God forbid you should misbehave and get ‘the stare’ (which all teachers have adopted without even knowing it).
So with this in mind, here are a number of tips which will help to create an effective form time:
Routine: Routine is everything. When students became familiar with effective routines their behaviour becomes more positive and self-regulating. When there is no structure (which is a form of structure) that is when students become distracted, less respectful and most importantly go to their next lesson without the correct structures in mind.
Set the tone for the day: I know some schools do no begin with form time but it always annoys me as a period one teacher when it is clear that the tutor hasn’t checked uniform and I now have to have that awkward conversation. So set the bar high as soon as students walk in; sort out uniform, take out reading books etc. answer questions, work hard if there is set work to do. If we are lax the students will move into their lessons in this way.
Be Positive: Setting the tone for the day isn’t shouting at students when they didn’t quite get something right- every lesson is a fresh start! Can you praise students for a great day (particularly the students who often get overlooked)? My aim as a teacher is to ensure students are engaged in their learning and hopefully enjoy themselves, so why should form time be any different?
The ‘Chat’: There are times when a good coach will pull a player to one side to have ‘the chat’. This could be to praise them in private, or chastise them, or to encourage them, or to show that you care (after all, being a tutor is about being that caring, pastoral link between parents, student and school). Obviously this tactic is only effective when used sparingly, but when students know you (who represents the school) cares there is a greater sense of appreciation and maturity.
Keep students updated: We all hate feeling out of the loop, so why should being a member of your mentor group be any different. It can look very embarrassing if your students do not know where to take money or what events are coming up.
Listen: The image at the top of the page is misleading; we are here to be the link students and parent need with the school. If students do not feel listened to this will foster a negative attitude towards staff and the school. You might not always be able to wave a magic wand (we are not here to get students out of detentions) but the very least we can do is hear concerns and act where possible.
Structure: This is key. Can you set certain tasks on certain days (most schools dictate this anyway)? For example, could there be a literacy day (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/literacy-ninjas-whole-school-form-time-activity-11557597 is a great whole school inititive), a numeracy day (http://www.numeracyninjas.org/ is an outstanding resource), Topic issues etc. The more structure you add the better.
As previously mentioned, being a form tutor is a challenging post, but ask any teacher, we remember and love our form groups more than nearly every class when we reflect on our careers.
Teaching Tips 