A new tutoring system has been proposed at Tiffin Boys School and is to be implemented, starting September 2009. This new system will take over from the usual ‘horizontal’ system which organises forms based on year (for example, 5 forms are entirely made up of pupils in the same year). However, this new ‘Vertical Tutoring’ system has had a mixed reception from pupils.

But first of all, what is ‘Vertical Tutoring’? Instead of ‘horizontal’ forms, pupils will be split up and rearranged into ‘vertical’ forms (each form containing 20 pupils from Year 7 to Year 13). The form size will be reduced from around 30 to 20 and each form is likely to be made entirely from pupils from one of the six Houses. However, lessons will still be ‘horizontal’ as well as SMD (Social Moral Development) lessons. This allows pupils to mix around with others in the same year. Also pupils will still be able to mix around with others in the same year during break and lunch. They will only be in these ‘vertical forms’ during the 30 minute tutorial periods in the week.

Why implement ‘Vertical Tutoring’? It is perceived to have many benefits. Due to the reduced form size, there will be around 3 pupils from each year in a form. Parent consultations for different year groups are at different times throughout the year. This will allow parent consultations to be extended from the current 15 minutes, to 45 minutes. This extra time will allow tutors to have a more thorough discussion with parents and pupils in order to help identify certain issues and solve any problems. During form times, older pupils will be able to talk to and help younger pupils in the same form. This will lead to pupils having friends in different year groups. Older pupils will become role models to younger pupils, and can give help and advice to them. For example, a new Year 7 pupil will be able to get help from a sixth former if they are lost or having a few problems at school. A Year 10 pupil will be able to give advice to a Year 9 pupil regarding GCSE options. These new ‘vertical’ forms will also help combat bullying. It will also strengthen the current House system, with the Head of Houses playing a much larger role.

Despite all this, and many other benefits, some pupils have expressed some concerns about ‘Vertical Tutoring’. They are reluctant to be split up from their old forms and the friends they have already made, although they will only be in their ‘vertical’ forms during the 30 minute tutorials spaced out across the week. Some possible problems of ‘Vertical Tutoring’ have been identified, and are currently trying to be resolved by the staff and the student council. There is a lot of effort being made from the staff to try to finalise and improve this new system. Some staff members and members of the student council are going to visit other schools which have already implemented ‘Vertical Tutoring’, and observe the positive and negative aspects of ‘Vertical Tutoring’. The student council are constantly being consulted (so pupils are having a say in a matter that affects them), as well as parents and the governors. With the staff and student council working together on this new system, ‘Vertical Tutoring’ is ensured to be the best step forward.

By Leo Wang