As a school we believe that pastoral support underpins the whole school community. Ensuring that every child matters and is valued is a focus for our newly established year based system. It is vital to ensure that every child can access a quality education.
Through our pastoral care we support students by working tirelessly to remove any barriers to learning. The positive relationship between children, parents, friends, the community and school is fundamental in developing a well-rounded member of society. We maintain high standards through our ‘Prepared for Success’ system and our core values; actively seeking to include our students in the promotion of a calm, successful, rewarding environment.
We have a committed Pastoral Team working across the school to offer targeted support to students in each year group. Each Year Team comprises of a Head and Deputy Head of Year, 8 Form Tutors (11 tutors in Year 11) and a Behaviour and Welfare Officer. Form Tutors are key to pastoral support and are a student and parents/carers first “port of call” for any concerns.
Our Heads of Year closely monitor and track the attendance, behaviour, achievement and well-being of all students within their care.
Please click on the drop-down box below to read a message from your Head of Year.
Welcome to Year 7
Moto: “Team work makes the dream work”
Message from Mr S Cooksey
Year 7 is an important time in any child’s secondary school education. The transition from primary to secondary school can be both an exciting and daunting experience. At Dormston we often have more than 25 schools in our new year intake, where parents and carers have selected Dormston as their preferred school of choice. This in itself is a massive positive for the school and it is an honour to welcome you all.
At Dormston we don’t take the transition from primary to secondary lightly and we want pupils to enjoy their time with us in a nurturing and supportive environment, where they can maximise their potential. Attendance and behaviour expectations are always at the forefront of everything we do in Year 7. We start immediately in honing skills that pupils will need throughout their time with us. These are notably instilled through our School Core Values of Effort, Knowledge, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.
Year 7 students will always be encouraged to dream big and to display resilience to make the right choices and become the best version of themselves. The core skills instilled, will set them up for life, by being respectful, caring, responsible citizens in the community we live in.
As students settle into school life, we will hold targeted evenings for those pupils who may need some extra support or are finding the ‘Dormston way’ a little tricky. These meetings allow us to find solutions to any concerns we might have, as well as allowing us to celebrate successes. The Year 10 Executive Student Leadership Team will also support Year 7 pupils by carrying out peer mentoring to support pupils as they settle in to secondary school life.
All parents/carers will get the opportunity to speak to their child’s subject teachers later in the year at a parents’ evenings and will receive an annual school report.
The Year 7 team consists of 8 dynamic Form Tutors, who should be your first port of call if you or your child have any concerns or queries. This team is led by myself, Mrs Garrett, our Deputy Head of Year, and Mrs Mansell our Behaviour and Welfare Officer.
Mr Cooksey
Head of Year 7
I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Year 8 Year Leader at The Dormston School. Having recently taken over the Year 8 cohort from Mr Cooksey, I am very much looking forward to working with your children and supporting them throughout the next stage of their journey at Dormston.
I have been a member of staff at The Dormston School for 25 years, initially joining as a PE teacher. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of taking on pastoral leadership roles, first as Head of Avon House and subsequently as a Head of Year. These experiences have given me a real passion for supporting young people, helping them to overcome challenges, recognise their strengths and achieve their potential.
I am particularly excited to take on Year 8 because I already believe this is the best year group in the school! There is so much positivity, talent and potential within the cohort, and I firmly believe that every child has something special to offer.
Mr Cooksey and Mrs Garrett have given your children an excellent start to their journey at Dormston, and I would like to thank them for the work they have done. It is now my responsibility, alongside my Deputy Year Leader, Mr Richardson, to build on that strong foundation and help shape the next stage of their journey through our school.
“Higher Standards, Greater Success”
This will be the motto for Year 8, and it is something I strongly believe in.
My message to the pupils will be simple: aim to meet your potential in every lesson, every day. Success does not happen overnight, but consistently setting high standards, working hard and making the most of every opportunity will lead to success over time.
I also want every pupil to believe in their own ability. Confidence, self-belief and a willingness to challenge themselves are essential if they are to become the best versions of themselves.
Alongside our new motto, I will be placing a strong emphasis on our five school values:
These values will underpin everything we do as a year group. I want our pupils to understand that success is not simply about academic achievement; it is also about the type of person they become along the way.
Of course, school should also be enjoyable! Throughout the year, I will be introducing a range of competitions, challenges and fun activities, giving pupils plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their talents and be rewarded and recognised for their achievements. I want Year 8 to develop a real sense of identity and pride in their year group.
Mr P. Amos
Head of Year 8
I am delighted to continue working with this fantastic year group as they begin their journey through Year 9. This is an exciting and important year in a student’s school journey, as we begin to look ahead to Key Stage 4 and start preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and challenges that come with GCSE study. I am committed to working closely with pupils, parents and staff to ensure every student feels supported, challenged and proud of their progress.
Our focus for Year 9 is simple: GET GCSE READY. This means developing the habits, attitudes and resilience that will help students succeed in the years ahead. I expect every Year 9 student to get the basics right every day – showing respect, working hard, taking responsibility, being punctual, wearing the correct uniform and arriving fully equipped and ready to learn. Most importantly, I want pupils to recognise that the choices they make now can have a real impact on their future success.
Year 9 is also a year of opportunity. Students will begin the important process of considering their GCSE options, encouraging them to think carefully about their strengths, interests and aspirations. We will also be developing our student leadership opportunities, with pupils able to put themselves forward for leadership roles and take on greater responsibility within the year group and wider school community. These experiences will help students to develop confidence, independence and the ability to make a positive difference to those around them.
Our school’s core values of Respect, Responsibility, Knowledge, Effort and Resilience will continue to underpin everything we do. I want Year 9 to be a year where students challenge themselves, learn from mistakes, celebrate their successes and develop the confidence to aim high. Together, we will ensure that they are not only successful in school but are developing the skills and character they need for life beyond it.
The Year 9 Hub will be a place where students can come for support, guidance and encouragement throughout the year. I am incredibly proud to lead this year group and look forward to working closely with our pupils, families and wonderful Tutor Team. There will be lots happening throughout the year, and I will continue to keep parents informed with important updates, celebrations and opportunities.
Year 9 is the year we GET GCSE READY – and I want every student to believe that they have the ability to achieve their goals, provided they are prepared to work hard, take responsibility and make the most of every opportunity.
Students are also supported by a brilliant Tutor Team, our Deputy Year Leader, Miss Lines, and Miss Cooke, who continues as the Pastoral Support Officer for the year group.
Mrs Williams
Head of Year 9
“Leaving Lasting Legacies”
Year 10 students are truly Key Stage 4 Locked In. Over the past year, the cohort has worked hard to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits needed to prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities that Key Stage 4 brings. They have shown that success is not simply about academic achievement, but also about character, commitment, resilience and the choices they make every day.
Our Year 10 motto, “Leaving Lasting Legacies,” is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every student, regardless of ability or background, has the opportunity to make a positive and lasting mark on our school community. A legacy does not have to be something extraordinary; it can be created through kindness, leadership, determination, service to others and consistently making positive choices.
Our current Year 10 Executive Leadership Team and Peer Mentors are already demonstrating what it means to lead by example. They are actively making positive changes across the school and supporting our Key Stage 3 students, helping younger pupils to navigate school life and encouraging them to embody our core values:
Respect. Resilience. Responsibility. Effort. Knowledge.
These values are at the forefront of our Year 10 journey. We want our students to be ambitious for themselves and for others, to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour, to persevere when things become challenging, and to recognise the power of their own example.
Being Key Stage 4 Locked In means being focused on the journey ahead. It means understanding that every lesson, every interaction and every decision contributes to the person and learner each student is becoming.
We are incredibly proud of the progress this cohort has already made, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow as learners, leaders and role models. Their journey is well underway — and their opportunity to leave a lasting legacy has already begun.
Students are also supported by a wonderful Tutor Team, alongside Ms Smith and Mr Stanley from our pastoral team.
Mr Wilkes
Head of Year 10
jwilkes@dormston.dudley.sch.uk
Welcome to Year 11 – The Final Chapter at Dormston
This is a crucial stage in our pupils’ journey, and I am committed to ensuring that every student is supported to succeed both in school and beyond.
Working alongside me is Mrs Mescam, a member of the Senior Leadership Team, who leads on attainment. Together, we form a dedicated team focused on guiding our pupils through what is arguably the most important year of their school career.
As we embark on this final year at Dormston, we recognise that the road ahead will be both challenging and demanding. There will be moments that test resilience and determination. However, it is also a year filled with opportunity—one that can end with a real sense of achievement, excitement, and pride.
Our goal is simple: to support every pupil through this journey and ensure they are fully prepared for their next adventure. By this stage, the foundations for success should already be in place. With the continued support of Mrs Laker, our pastoral systems and careers guidance, we aim to equip students with the confidence, skills, and direction they need to take that next step—whether it be further education, training, or employment.
We strongly believe that success is a shared effort. By working together—students, staff, and families—we can create a positive and supportive environment where every young person can thrive. Along the way, we hope our pupils not only achieve their goals but also create lasting memories and build friendships that will stay with them long after they leave Dormston.
Here’s to a successful and rewarding Year 11 journey.
Working alongside the Year Teams is our SENDCO and three Designated Safeguarding Leads. Safeguarding and child protection are central to our Pastoral System as we believe only happy and safe students will truly reach their full potential.
Please see the safeguarding tab for a range of useful support and guidance for families and young people.