Keeping you involved

Research shows that good links between you and the school improves your child’s enjoyment at school and chances of doing well. The more you know about what your child is learning, the more you can offer support.

Contact between school and parents

We make every effort to involve you in your child’s education. We aim to do this in two main ways:

• by keeping you informed about how and what your child is learning – i.e. the curriculum, teaching methods, tests and exams, and changes to the education system. (Our school website contains all up-to-date information and policies. We arrange parental workshops/meetings/stay and learns throughout the year. Regular Dojo notifications)
• by keeping you informed about your child’s individual progress (Termly Parent’s Evenings, school reports)

Parents’ Evenings

You are also invited to attend two parent evening meetings during the year; one towards the end of the autumn term and one in the latter half of the spring term. At these parents’ evenings you will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and attainment and discuss next steps/targets. Your child’s class teacher will also give you an outline of what your child is learning and how well they’re keeping up. You’ll be able to see recent examples of their work. The appointment will usually be for ten minutes and during the early evening.

If you have concerns at any time during the year, about your child’s level and next steps, you must not feel that you have to wait for a planned parents’ evening. Please make an appointment to talk to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible.

Parent meetings

We have a number of special meetings for parents throughout the year, for example:

• Meet the Teacher meeting for all parents (September)
• Year 6 parent meeting (spring term)
• Year 2 parent meeting (spring term)
• Transition from reception to Year 1 (summer term)
• New starters’ meeting (end of the summer term)
• Parental Stay and Learns (for example on phonics, spelling, or methods of calculation)
• Min-y-Don residential information meeting for parents
• Sex Education information meeting for parents (annually)

End of Year Report

Every year we provide you with a detailed end of year report about your child. This report provide information about your child’s attainment (i.e. working at, above or below age-related expectations; progress and effort).

Other ways to keep in touch

To keep you informed about other issues – e.g. changes to school routine/policies, dinner money, outings – letters will be sent home with your children or emailed via Parent Pay.

There is also a weekly newsletter which is emailed to parents, governors and member of the PCC. These are also posted on our website.

Each term, each class teacher provides you with a class newsletter that provides information about the next topic, what your child will be learning, how you can help and routines pertinent to that class.

Parentpay: We also use text messages, via the Parentpay system to communicate important information – e.g. cancellation of after-school activities, school closures. Please talk to Mrs Bradshaw, our school business officer, about how to sign up for Parentpay if you haven’t already done so.

Class Dojo: Every day teachers post an update on your child’s learning to keep you informed. Parents can also message teachers directly. Important messages are also sent via Dojo to inform parents of events or key information.

Absence

You will need to contact the school if your child is absent because of illness or a hospital appointment. If your child doesn’t turn up and you haven’t explained why, we will telephone you to ensure they are safe.

Obtaining information from parents

At the beginning of each academic year, we send out the Lancashire local authority pupil data collection form. Please ensure that this is updated when appropriate, i.e. you move house or change your mobile number. We also send out, annually, a ‘home-time arrangement’ form which clarifies who is allowed to collect your child. It is vital that these details are updated regularly. There is also a consent form which covers such aspects as photographs, website, social media, walking to church.

We ensure that:

• we ask parents/guardians for their contact details, including names and addresses, of all parents when they register a pupil;
• names and addresses of all parents, where known, are included in our admission register and also in pupil records and are available to the pupil’s teachers;
• our school has details of who to contact in the case of an accident or medical emergency;
• contact details, including names and addresses, of all parents are forwarded to any school to which the pupil moves;
• details of Court orders are noted in a pupil’s record.
• we request a copy of a child’s birth certificate when they join our school