Abbey College Cambridge Wins Alpha Plus Group Innovation Award

Abbey College Cambridge is delighted that it’s groundbreaking ‘Pastoral Diploma’ has won an innovation award with the Alpha Plus Group.

The diploma is an innovative programme for staff to ensure that they receive high-quality training on pastoral issues/ PSHEE. Leading to improved staff knowledge, understanding and confidence in delivering excellent pastoral care, including tutoring and PSHEE.

Training is led by the Vice Principal Pastoral, Dr Carolyn Dunn, alongside Housemasters and external presenters. This is delivered through house meetings and Continued Professional Development. Group work, reading relevant research articles and identified books, role play, discussion and external speakers deliver the content. This allows the opportunity for staff to train together in house groups providing a safe space where staff are encouraged ask questions, feedback and share experiences.

In-house certification is awarded to staff on completing the different training workshops

Feedback from staff who have completed the course has been really positive.   They feel more confident, creative and have engaged in a range of techniques to deliver content. In the annual student survey an increased number of students stated that their teachers are making lessons more engaging and inclusive. Staff have taken on greater ownership of PSHEE, sharing resources they have independently sourced to supplement those already in place.

Dr Carolyn Dunn has commented that “Delivering high-quality pastoral care is very important to everyone here at Abbey College Cambridge and we recognised that staff required support in achieving this consistently.  It is great to see the positive benefits and increase in care the Diploma is bringing to the whole college community.”