Partnership with Parents
There are many ways in which the school works in partnership with parents. Parents are invited to come into school throughout the year to celebrate the children's learning and to help in class. The help we receive from parents and grandparents is invaluable and is much appreciated by staff; it also shows the value parents place on children’s learning and the children benefit from this.
Parents and grandparents can help in many different ways, including:
- Sharing skills and interests e.g. talking about jobs, previous experiences or sharing etc
- Listening to children read
- Playing games with children
- Accompanying children on educational visits
- Making costumes for productions
Parents interested in helping in school, and who have the necessary free time, should speak to a member of the office staff. Everyone helping in school or on school trips is checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service in line with child protection guidelines.
Consultations and Reports
There are regular opportunities to meet with class teachers and be kept informed about children’s progress. These may be informally via homework diaries or formally at the Parents’ Consultation Meetings held twice a year, usually in October and February or March. An annual written school report is also issued in the summer term. Parents are of course welcome to make an appointment to see the classroom teacher at other times throughout the year.
Parent Teacher Association
We have a strong Parent Teacher Association to which all parents automatically become members when they join the school. This enables parents and teachers to work together to provide social functions and fund-raising activities. The large amount of money raised by the PTA each year makes an invaluable contribution to the running of the school and the development of the outdoor play spaces.
Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA)
We are using the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) to help strengthen our school’s partnership with parents. It is a national award that will provide us with a valuable school improvement tool and also give us recognition for our commitment to working with parents.
Amazingly research identifies at age 7, a parent’s influence on a child’s learning is 6 times that of their school and even at 11 years old, it is 29% greater. Increased involvement can raise achievement by at least 18%. No involvement means low or no qualifications at 16.
The project is led by a member of the Senior Leadership team who is working with a small group of staff, parents and governors. We will carry out an analysis of current practice and develop an action plan for improvement, which will involve gathering the views of parents and carers.
The LPPA will help us achieve these long term benefits:
- Contribute to improved pupil attendance, punctuality, behaviour and progress
- Increase parent participation and involvement
- Enhance parents’ support in their children’s learning
- Improved home school communications
If you would like more information about our involvement or would like to offer your support or suggestions we would be delighted to hear from you.
Code of Conduct and Home School Agreement
Finally, the Home School Agreement is a three-way partnership involving school, parent and child. Through it we can join together to ensure that the children are happy and achieving their full potential.
The purpose of this Code of conduct is to support all parents, carers and visitors to our school. The Code states the conduct expected so that we can work together to ensure a safe and positive school environment for our children.