As a form tutor, your role is to support and guide your tutor group through their secondary school journey. Here are some top ideas to help you engage, inspire and nurture your students from key stage 3 to key stage 5.
For a comprehensive collection of form tutor resources, including all the materials mentioned below and many more, visit our dedicated form tutor resources page. The form tutor ideas and activities will help you create engaging, supportive and enriching tutor sessions throughout the academic year.
1. Explore topical events
Explore important topics like Black History Month and LGBT history in an engaging and accessible way with our topical quizzes. Get students involved in holidays and awareness days, like World Environment Day, with hands-on activity ideas and learning opportunities.
Why not try:
- Black history month quiz
- Climate change quiz
- LGBT history month quiz
- 15 ideas for world environment day
- I love you in different languages (for Valentine's Day!)
2. Encourage debates and critical thinking
While quizzes help introduce topics in a fun and accessible way, debates and discussions are great for exploring important topics and current affairs in more depth. They also help to build students' confidence and speaking skills. Our debate and discussion resources include everything you need, from teacher's notes and tips for debating to topical PowerPoints and handouts.
Why not try:
- Fast fashion debate
- Anti-bullying week discussion cards issues.
- Remembrance: Reflecting on the human cost of war
3. Create opportunities for competition and team-building
The end of term before Christmas and in the summer is often when energy levels start to lag and you may have more time for longer tutor activities. Our festive games and quizzes are a fun way to boost team-building skills, test students' general knowledge and add an edge of competition to spice things up!
Why not try:
4. Celebrate achievements and set goals
Help your tutor group stay motivated and help students on their academic journey with useful tips and tools. This might include revision timetables for older students or goal-setting templates. As well as academic success, it's important to encourage and celebrate acts of kindness too!
Why not try:
- SMART goal setting for students
- Revision timetable template
- 20 ideas for making it stick
- Act of kindness award certificates
4. Support diverse learners and develop essential skills
As a form tutor, it's important to make sure that all students in your tutor group feel welcome and included. We've compiled our top tips and teaching ideas for welcoming new students from primary schools, those with English as an Additional Language (EAL), as well as strategies to support all students' vocabulary and oracy skills.
Why not try:
- 20 tips for welcoming EAL learners in tutor groups
- 20 ideas for transition eBook
- 20 ideas for closing the word gap and developing oracy skills in tutor time
6. Maintain effective parent communication
Building positive relationships and communicating with parents is an important way to support the students in your tutor groups. We've designed templates to help you streamline this process and keep track of the interactions you have with parents.
Why not try:
7. Support student wellbeing and PSHE
Form tutors have an important role in supporting students' mental health and wellbeing. As well as supporting students day-to-day, there are other ways to promote positive wellbeing during tutor time, from mindfulness activities to exploring digital wellbeing and promoting health habits with technology and social media.
Why not try:
8. Final tips for form tutors
Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned professional, here are some final tips for excelling as a form tutor:
- Be consistent. Establish clear routines and expectations from the start.
- Listen actively. Create an open environment where students feel heard and valued.
- Celebrate diversity. Embrace and promote inclusivity within your tutor group.
- Stay organised. Keep thorough records of student progress and communications.
- Adapt and evolve. Be flexible and willing to adjust your approach based on your students' needs.
To further enhance your skills and support your students, you might like to try these additional resources:
- Student mental health resources: Access tools and strategies to support your students' emotional wellbeing.
- GCSE exam support: Find resources to help guide your students through their GCSE preparations.
- SEND resources for teachers: Discover materials to support students with special educational needs and disabilities.
- CPD hub: Explore tips and advice to enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest educational practices.
