St Michael's has a very good reputation for the care, guidance and support it offers to students and our recent Ofsted report confirms this.  Students respond well to the school's emphasis on "repentance forgiveness and reconciliation" and we look to encourage the value and potential of all students by promoting an inclusive and supportive atmosphere.  Our policies and practice reflect a desire to see that all students are encouraged to develop mutual respect, and ensure that positive relationships between students, students and staff, and parents and staff form the basis of a successful and happy experience for all members of our school community.

We work hard to ensure that the transition to St Michael's  is smooth and to help students to overcome any anxieties and concerns that they and their parents may have.  We have a house system in school, with tutor groups of mixed ages.  Our Year 7 students tell us they like this because it helps them make friends with students from all year groups.  Each House is led by a Climate for Learning Leader whose role is to bring the pastoral and academic aspects of School and help develop well rounded individuals. 

Students in Years 10 and 11 are given the opportunity to apply to become Buddies and Prefects.  Successful candidates are given appropriate training to enable them to provide valuable and effective support to students of all ages.  In addition to this, support to some of our Primary feeder schools is provided by a number of our Year 9 students who are trained to work for a few hours each week on the Valued Youth Programme.  These programmes have proved beneficial to many students of differing ages over a number of years.

Our Learning Mentors provide individual support and also work with students in groups.  Their main aim is to help students to overcome barriers to learning and to raise levels of attainment through increased motivation and participation.  This can be facilitated by working with young people on areas such as self-esteem, organisational skills development, social skills development, confidence building, time management, attendance issues, behavioural difficulties, anger management, mediation, conflict resolution, bullying issues, family and peer relationships, loss and separation, transition from Primary schools, revision, exam skills, preparing for College and the world of work, relaxation and Brain Gym.