Meeting 1 - Term 1 - November 2014
What is working well?
· Communication in EYFS is exceptional (accessibility of the teachers and the open classroom environment) but drops off in Y1 and Y2. Age and immaturity means that parents are often unaware of what their child has done that day.
Twitter has been introduced across the school for quick 'snapshots' of what the classes are doing. The class pages on the website are updated regularly and the weekly newsletter has been altered to unsure that it includes information about what the classes have done during the week as well as 'signposting' future events.
· Stickers on the children to remind parents of immediate events - ‘brilliant’, ‘you can’t miss it’.
The teachers now have a stock of stickers that can be used to communicate a 'Don't forget!' reminded with a matter of urgency.
· Parentmail is a great method of communication – can this be colour coded to show urgency?
Parentmail messages can be coded as a 'normal' or 'emergency' message. This will done as the need arises.
· Termly newsletter gives an insight of learning across the school.
More so with the arrival of Mrs Fraser who has taken on this task and is relentless (Sorry Mrs F!) in her pursuit of information to include.
· Tarmac Targets was brilliant and needs to be done again.
This great activity (loved by staff, parents and pupils alike) has been scheduled for when the weather improves.
School website gave a blurb of what the children would be learning in school that term, what more was needed?
· Snapshot of the numeracy and literacy targets on the website pages would also be useful.
Examples of the numeracy and literacy targets taught in school are now available on the website. They can be found at Home>>Key Information>>Curriculum>>Our Curriculum. Scroll down the page to the sub headings 'What my child will be learning in maths / literacy this year' and you will find 'Maths Targets' and 'Literacy Targets'. Click on the link.
What do you think about the Newsletter, does it tell you what you need to know?
· Weekly newsletter – inconsistency in when they are sent out. Format needs reviewing.
The newsletter is now sent out regularly on a Friday, both on Parentmail and as a paper copy to those not registered.
· New Parents Handbook – Induction pack for all new parents joining the school.
Thank you so much to all involved with this, particular mention to Mrs Hesford who, as a new parent to the school, made incredibly useful notes based on her own experiences which Mrs Lucas has used to create a New Parents Handbook.
What curriculum areas would you like to know more about?
· Numeracy and Literacy (RWI and GPAS for KS2) including the appropriate vocabulary. IPad training – useful apps or websites.
How and when do you want this information put across?
· Sessions during school time but repeated in the evening is too much to ask of the teachers involved. Evenings only not good as babysitters / bedtimes / teatime all needed to be taken into consideration.
· Workshops that could involve the children showing how things are done. Maths target book. Sessions publicised as not run with less than 15 parents otherwise teachers time is wasted.
Tarmac Targets planned for the warmer months so that the children can demonstrate how things are done in school. Maths and Literacy Targets information is available on the website. A draft book containing all of the pupils targets for numeracy and literacy has been put together, with printing costs being looked into. Curriculum evenings planned and will be run if enough interest is shown.
Further Ideas
· Parents who have children who have been identified with a special need might be daunted and unsure of what to expect – a mentor/buddy system where a parent with a child who is already in the system could offer support to one who has recently been identified.
This lovely idea has been passed to Mrs Gorman our Special Needs Coordinator, who will be making these connections where appropriate.
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