PARENT VOICE - OVERVIEW OF MEETING THURSDAY 23RD JUNE 2011

I would like to thank all the parents who attended the recent ‘Parent Voice’ meeting. It was a positive and productive meeting and I was very grateful for the support and recommendations that the parents gave to the school.

1. Previous Meeting

CMN briefly outlined the points raised at the previous meeting and the outcomes to date:

• VIVOs – staff continue to ensure a fair / consistent approach to these
• Vertical tutoring – staff continue to use activities to develop greater
cohesion in the tutor groups. CMN to develop Post 16 students to support
with this.
• Weekly quiz – now a variety of students / staff involved with this
• Marking & assessment – recent OFSTED inspection supportive of the school’s
processes and procedures with this and continued use by staff of developing
students’ independent self – assessment skills
• Acoustics for PTC – no alternative available at the moment
• Sixth Form Applications – individual guidance meeting held in Jnaury 2011
at parental request

2. Four questions

CMN issued 4 questions which were then discussed in small groups

• What questions would you like to ask?
• What issues would you like to discuss?
• How can we use the ‘parent voice’ blog more effectively?
• How can we get more parents to attend ‘Parent Voice’ ?

3. Discussion / Issues raised

How is the development of the sixth form progressing?

CMN confirmed that the build is on track for a July handover and the opening ceremony organised for the end of the summer term. Weekly updates of this are on the sixth form blog which follow the progress of the build

Will it cover more vocational as well as academic choices?
CMN confirmed that the intention has ALWAYS been to offer both vocational and academic courses. However, the vast majority of the cohort this year have applied only for AS / Level 3 courses.

How will this be marketed to attract interest?
Marketing has been successful this year and we will continue in the same way next year. We will canvass the students and aim to offer the courses they wish to study as far as we can.

• Are there any after school clubs? What are they? Where are they advertised?
CMN confirmed that there are a variety of after school clubs that are
avaialbel and will discuss with the Head how these can be more easily
advertised for parents / students.

• What is the provision for ‘bus children’ to attend after school / Wednesday
period 5 sessions?
CMN confirmed that she would clarify these arrangements.

• Are there any plans for Duke of Edinburgh?
CMN to be offering this to year 12 students in the first instance next
academic year

• Can parents have subject teachers’ school email addresses?
CMN to clarify this with the head.

• Chewing gum / smoking / uniform
CMN confirmed that the school is committed to enforcing the school rules and
that all students who break these are dealt with accordingly.

• Beanbags
CMN confirmed that the classrooms are committed to flexible learning which
means providing students with a range of learning environments which they
can choose to study in. Students encouraged to decide on where they wish to
study and where / how they are most comfortable.

4. Encouraging more parents to attend

Parents had the following suggestions which CMN will ensure she uses for next academic year.

• Newletter by email
• Email / text database
• Advertise that children are welcome
• Let children know it helps them
• Have a ‘new parents’ meeting
• Consider changing the timing of the event
• Send out the agenda in advance
• Some children not getting the letters – a consistent approach needed

Cate Mallalieu-Needle
June 26th 2011

Parent Voice meeting - Thursday 10th March 2011

APOLOGIES - but I will have to cancel this meeting as it has clashed with another school commitment that can not be changed.

Next meeting is THURSDAY 23RD JUNE 2011 6.30 pm - 7. 30 pm in the L2L centre.

Please contact me directly with questions, comments or agenda items for the next meeting.

Many thanks

Cate Mallalieu-Needle

Next Meeting - Thursday 10th March 2011

PARENT VOICE

YOUR VIEWS ARE NEEDED!!!

Thursday 10^th March 2011

6.30pm – 7.30pm

Learning to Learn Centre

OPEN AGENDA

v       Vertical Tutoring & Enrichment Days

v       Homework

v       The Classrooms & Flexible Learning

v       The Sixth Form

v       Parent Blog

For further information, please contact reception or leave a comment or question here on the BLOG

Parent Voice Thursday 18th November 2010.

Assistant Heads: Glynis Martindale & Cate Mallalieu-Needle.

Presentation : Flexible Learning

The new flexible learning environment in the English classrooms was explored.

The presentation and short film outlined and explained the new flexible learning arrangements in the English classrooms. These learning environments have been in place since September 2010 with plans for more rooms in English to be developed in the same way. Parents were given a tour of the rooms and explored the variety of learning options that students are able to use in their learning. The options range from high stools with work benches, traditional tables and chairs, bean bags and bright rugs.  Parents also saw the extensive sets of netbooks that students are able to use to support their studies.

In addition, parents were shown the student survey results which unequivocally support the learning environment and the very positive response from all students to this way of learning. The results from this survey are also attached.

Discussion

1. Drinks in the Canteen

• It was confirmed that fizzy drinks are not sold in the canteen.
• The school canteen has a commitment to support students’ health.

2. VIVOs

• Parents requested greater consistency in the allocation of VIVOs.
• CMN raised this issue with staff on Friday 19^th November, and requested that staff ensure VIVOs are allocated to students; particularly those who attend after school events and represent the school.

3. Vertical Tutoring

• Parents requested that KS4 students are encouraged to support younger students more proactively in tutor time.
• CMN to ensure staff are given this message with the results from the student survey.

4. Weekly Quiz

• Parents requested that the School considers making different classes/ Houses take responsibility for the weekly quiz to ensure that more/all students get involved with this.
• CMN to discuss this with the Deputy Head who is responsible for the video quiz.

5. Marking & Assessment

• Parents requested greater clarity and consistency with the whole school marking and assessment policy.
• CMN to raise this with the Headteacher.

6. Acoustics for PTC

• Parents expressed concern with the quality of acoustics during PTC.
• CMN to raise this with the Headteacher.

7. Maths

• Parents had praise/appreciation for the ‘My Maths’ points/game which students had found very motivating & helped improve mental maths.
• Parents requested more of this as they were disappointed when it had finished.
• CMN to raise this with the Maths Department.

8. Sixth Form

• Parents requested further information/clarity on selecting options Post 16.
• CMN to host a Post 16 evening in January to support/guide students in making appropriate choices & decisions.