Parent Voice: 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

Tuesday, 12 July 2011

PARENT VOICE - OVERVIEW OF MEETING THURSDAY 23RD JUNE 2011

Friday, 18 March 2011

Tuesday, 8 March 2011

Parent Voice meeting - Thursday 10th March 2011

Monday, 7 February 2011

Next Meeting - Thursday 10th March 2011