Tutor Time

At Rushey Mead, tutor time is a purposeful, positive place where all members of the tutor group can achieve regardless of their performance in other lessons. It is a fundamental part of the school day where tutors ensure that students are ready to learn each day. Tutors create a positive culture so that students feel as though they are a cohesive unit with a sense of belonging. Tutor time is a time where students are cared for, and their academic & social progress is monitored. It is also a time where we encourage involvement, commitment, high standards of work and behaviour, as well as instilling the Rushey Values; be kind, work hard & develop your whole-self.

The fortnightly tutor time schedule is designed to support the growth of the whole student, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to thrive both within school and beyond. It encompasses a carefully sequenced programme delivered through timetabled sessions including PSHE, assemblies, careers, topical issues, wellbeing, reading, tracking reflections, learning to lean, exam techniques and the Rushey 3 Passport.

Rushey 123 – Rotates through activities such as tracking reflection, careers education, learning to learn, logging Rushey 3 Passport points, and supporting students with key decisions such as options choices and post 16 choices, all designed to develop confident, independent learners.

Topical issues – Provides a responsive space to explore current events and relevant themes, both in and beyond school, encouraging critical thinking and discussion around real-world challenges.

Read Aloud – Tutors read aloud to students to model fluent reading, build listening skills, and foster a shared love of stories that enrich vocabulary and cultural understanding.

Assemblies – Explore themes that are closely linked to our Rushey 1, 2, and 3 values, carefully aligned with key national and international calendar events, and designed to promote a deep understanding of British Values and protected characteristics. These themes encourage students to reflect on diversity, social responsibility, and ethical behaviour, fostering respect, empathy, and active citizenship within both local and global contexts.  Link to Assembly Rota

Careers – Students follow a spiral curriculum from Year 7 to Year 11, gradually building knowledge, skills, and self-awareness to make informed decisions about their future. In KS3, students explore their personal strengths, interests, and values, while learning about a range of jobs, sectors, and learning pathways. They develop decision-making, teamwork, leadership, and employability skills, and begin to understand how careers connect with society, the environment, and technology.  In KS4, students reflect on their achievements, research careers and post-16 pathways, and develop confidence in making informed decisions. They consider the risks and rewards of different options, plan next steps, and explore leadership, entrepreneurial skills, and their role in society and the workplace. Link to Careers Spiral Curriculum 

Learning to Learn – Focuses on teaching specific, research-informed revision strategies and promoting deliberate practice of these, to help students study more effectively and become self-regulated, successful learners.

Exam Technique – Created by curriculum teams, these sessions provide guided walkthroughs of answering exam questions across subjects, helping students to build confidence, understand mark schemes, and develop effective exam strategies.

Wellbeing – Gives Year 11 tutors dedicated time to check in with students, offering support around mental health, PSHE topics and current issues.

PSHE/ RSE – Our programme ensures students develop an age-appropriate understanding of healthy and respectful relationships. Our curriculum has been updated in line with the 2026 statutory RSHE guidance and is delivered through a progressive PSHE programme from Year 7 to Year 11. Students learn about respect, equality, empathy and effective communication within friendships and relationships. Teaching includes a clear focus on consent, personal boundaries and recognising unhealthy or abusive behaviours. Students also learn about online relationships and the potential risks associated with digital communication and social media. The programme supports pupils to challenge harmful stereotypes and develop respectful attitudes towards others.

Stop the Clock

We recognise that some sensitive topics require more time than a standard 25-minute tutor slot to explore fully and safely. Five times a year, we ‘Stop the Clock’, dedicating tutor time and the first lesson period to an extended PSHE session within students’ own tutor groups. This approach allows students to engage in in-depth discussion, ask questions, and reflect on challenging issues, such as harmful sexual behaviours, knife crime, CSE/CCE, and honour-based violence. Delivering these sessions in the familiar context of their tutor group ensures a safe, supportive environment where students can discuss sensitive content openly and benefit from tailored guidance from their tutor.

British Values & Protected Characteristics

Through a combination of our Rushey Values, planned assemblies, curriculum delivery, enrichment, and real-world engagement, students develop a strong sense of social responsibility, respect for diversity, and the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in modern Britain. Assemblies are carefully mapped across the year to link directly to protected characteristics and fundamental British Values (democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance), with these themes reinforced through PSHE and Citizenship lessons, enabling students to explore rights, responsibilities, diversity, and ethical issues in depth. RE is compulsory at GCSE, ensuring all students engage with a range of beliefs, worldviews, and moral perspectives.

We foster an inclusive school culture where students feel welcome, valued, and a strong sense of belonging. Students develop an understanding and appreciation of difference, learning to respect and celebrate others. This is brought to life through events such as Culture Day, and celebrations including IFTAR, Navratri, Diwali, and community initiatives such as Christmas hampers, which promote equality, respect, and cultural awareness across the school community.

The information above can be downloaded here:- Wider Curriculum

Enrichment Overview

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11