Tutorial system
Pupils have two form tutors, a head of year and a head of section, all of whom help to maximise their potential and enjoy their time at school. The school is divided into sections: the lower school (years 7 and 8), the senior school (years 9, 10 and 11) and the sixth form (years 12 and 13), with each section working as a team to provide top-quality pastoral care.
Lower school
Pupils in year 7 come from all over London. This diversity of catchment area is reflected within our form groups, where we aim for a spread of postcodes whilst also ensuring all pupils have some local friends. We generally try to split up pupils coming from the same school. The majority of our pupils join City as the only pupil from their primary school and we want everyone to feel that they have the same opportunities to make new friends.
Pupils are also allocated houses (we have four) and there are many inter-house and intra-year group events throughout the year. They allow our lower school students to meet more people within their year group, as well as getting to know pupils in other year groups. Pupils stay in the same form groups for years 7 and 8.
The form groups are mixed up as the pupils move up into the senior school. Form tutors meet their form groups at least twice a day, for registration and to run form time sessions. Form times are opportunities for everyone to get to know each other, discuss a wide range of topics and have fun.
Senior school
Each form elects a form captain and deputy form captain on a yearly basis and from year 10 upwards pupils may stand for election for different positions linked to inter house activities. The pupils are encouraged to initiate and run clubs and societies, and a well-developed mentoring scheme gives both mentors and mentees experience of exercising rights and responsibilities.
Sixth form
The head girl team and senior committee comprise members of the sixth form who are elected by staff and pupils. A number of our sixth formers also mentor younger students, both at City, and in our local partner schools. Many students comment on the fact that the sixth form feels like a very different experience from the lower and senior schools. Smaller classes, free periods, use of the sixth form centre, own clothes and greater independence and responsibility all contribute towards this feeling.
