The tutorial system at the College is designed to complement the excellent pastoral care offered within the boarding houses. Every pupil has a tutor who is responsible for monitoring academic progress, advising on academic choices and providing a link between subject teachers and parents. Tutors keep a close eye on the social and personal development of their tutees, ensuring a balanced approach to life both in and out of the classroom. Tutors also liaise closely with Housemasters and Housemistresses to ensure pupils’ happiness and to foster the skills and talents of each individual.

The system has three different forms, which develop as a pupil moves through the College:

In Faulkner’s pupils are divided into ‘socials’ according to which senior house they are going to move on to. Within these socials, pupils are then divided into small groups (not according to senior house), and a tutor is assigned to them. This system allows pupils to develop friendship groups across the whole year group, not just within their house. It also allows tutors to focus on the specific needs of the first year group as they adapt to life in a larger boarding environment.

The Lower School tutorial system (Shell and Fifth Form) is arranged by House.  Small groups are assigned to tutors who see them both in weekly tutorial periods and when on duty in the boarding house. These small groups encourage the development of an open and trusting relationship between tutors and tutees, and the house-based system gives time for individual, as well as group meetings.

The Sixth Form tutorial system is organised according to subject options and personal choice. Housemasters or Housemistresses assist pupils in their choice of a Sixth Form tutor and the list is co-ordinated by the Senior Tutor.  Sixth Form tutor groups meet formally once a week at a time convenient to both tutor and tutees alike, with individual sessions also taking place at least once every fortnight.  The emphasis in the Upper Sixth is rather more on one-to-one communication, particularly for the purposes of the UCAS applications in the Michaelmas term.

The Minerva programme operates throughout the College to provide a tutorial system which stimulates the most academically able. Regular meetings, resembling seminars, focus on topics which extend beyond the curriculum.  The lecture-based Athena Programme offers all pupils enrichment outside the classroom.