Dear Priestley Parent / Carer,
At Priestley, we value the relationships we build with parents and carers so are looking forward to meeting you at our first parents’ evening of the year in February. In the meantime, we have prepared this page so that you can put some names to faces and find out more about the support network that is available for your son and daughter in college.
A message from Assistant Principal Mark Eccleston
Mark has responsibility for Safeguarding, Enrichment, Equality & Diversity, Progression & SEND at Priestley.
As a former Priestley student himself, he is well aware of the pressures students face as they progress through college and is committed so ensuring their Priestley experience is a rewarding one, both in terms of academic success and personal development.
In this short video he provides an overview of these vital areas of college and explains the advice and guidance that is available to both students and parents / carers.
We hope you find it useful, but if you still have any questions after this video and viewing the other resources on this page please email Mark at m.eccleston@priestley.ac.uk
Meet our Pastoral Heads
Our team of Pastoral Heads are responsible for the general wellbeing of Priestley’s students with specific responsibilies, which they describe below.
Anne White
As a Pastoral Head, I am responsible for the success of the Personal Development Programme, which sees our students develop key skills that will benefit them both in life and as they progress after Priestley. PDP is delivered through weekly tutorial sessions and gives students the chance to develop employability skills, knowledge that will help them deal with finances, how to study better as well as help with them with social and emotional development. Information is also provided on progressing to university and into apprenticeships to ensure every student knows what path they are taking after college.
Chris Lee
My role as Pastoral Head is to ensure the success of our Enrichment Programme. At Priestley we expect all first year students to take on at least one enrichment to enhance their study programme and college experience. We see it as a great way to make new friends and value to their CVs and importantly make the most out of their time at Priestley. There is a vast range of activities available, everything from performance groups to the Debating Society, a History group that produces its own magazine, to sign language classes and sports activities. No matter what subjects our students take, there should be an activitiy for them.
Dan Martin
As Pastoral Head I oversee the journey our students take from college to university. During the academic year I help them meet the university deadlines for applications and ensure there are opportunities for the cohort to visit Higher Education fairs where they can meet university representatives, ask questions and find out more about courses. We also have universities visit the college providing workshops and talks about the application process and progression to university. We also make sure all Priestley students are fully informed about Student Finance as they plan their next step.
Jenny George
I am a History and Politics teacher and also a Pastoral Head, which means I look after students’ wellbeing and how they are getting on at college. I specifically oversee Equality & Diversity and Student Voice. That means I look after students who are on the College Council who want to make a differnce in college and have their voices heard. We have a strong College Council who have influenced many decisions at Priestley over the years. I am particularly proud of our recent achievement of securing the Rainbow Flag Award, which shows our commitment to the positive inclusion of (LGBTQ+) people.
Mark Edgington
As a Pastoral Head, I am committed to creating an environment where every student can thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their individual circumstances. My role involves not only supporting academic progress but also ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and student wellbeing. I take pride in overseeing these critical areas and work closely with colleagues to ensure that all students are supported. As a team we work proactively to identify and address any concerns, and foster a culture of care, respect, and resilience across the college.
Meet our Progress Tutors
Priestley’s team of Progress Tutors guide our students through their tutorial programme, which covers everything from debates about the burning issues of the day to equipping them with life skills such as writing a CV. Learn more about your child’s Progress Tutor below.
Support at every step
Your child will receive all the necessary advice and guidance they need to thrive both in learning and in life. At Priestley we want our students to be as happy as they are successful so do everything we can to ensure they feel safe and supported during their time with us whilst also setting them up a successful progression after Priestley.
CAREERS
PDP
WELLBEING
Expectations and attendance
As a way of building good relations with our parents we have a charter that details our commitment to you and also what support we expect from parents and carers to ensure their child fulfills their potential at Priestley.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU
In 2024 / 2025 student attendance was at a high at Priestley and it is no coincidence that we celebrated our best ever set of results. Please support us in ensuring that your son/daughter attends college to our expected levels to ensure their success.
A national survey revealed that students with an attendance rate of 95% or higher are more likely to achieve grades at A or B, while those with lower attendance rates are more likely to fall behind academically.
- When attendance improves the likelihood of achieving your qualifications by the end of college also massively increases.
- Over 60% of students with attendance above 95% in Year 13 achieved their qualifications with at least the grades they expected, or even better.
- Only 36% of students who were persistently absent (below 90%) passed their qualification with the grades they expected.
Parent Handboook
If you have any further questions, please take a look at our Parent Handbook, which we hope will contain all the information you require.