Heymann Primary and Nursery School

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1 Heymann Primary and Nursery School Parent Partnership Policy July 2014

2 Introduction All parents and carers are equally valued as part of our school community. Children s learning is improved when we work in partnership with their parents or carers, and their wider family. We therefore believe in close cooperation with all families, and in regular consultation between the home and the school. By working in close partnership with parents we nurture the development of trust, respect, confidence, independence, self- esteem and the desire to learn. We provide quality learning experiences with the expectation that all will have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. When we refer to parents and carers we mean both mothers and fathers; these include both natural or birth parents, grandparents with parental responsibility, as well as step-parents and parents who do not live with their children, but have contact with them and play a part in their lives, same sex parents as well as foster parents. Aims Through parent involvement we aim to: to enhance the learning experiences of all pupils so they achieve their very best to encourage parents and carers to be involved in the children s learning; to provide a partnership between home and school, seeking to ensure that families feel welcome and valued; to ensure that maximum use is made of all these adults skills to enrich learning opportunities. To encourage parents and carers to develop and extend their own learning. Involvement in the life of the school School is open to parents and carers at all reasonable times. Families are invited to regular events, activities and celebrations that are organised by the school. These occasions provide an opportunity to celebrate success, and an audience for a lot of the pupils work. Regular newsletters are sent home Each family should receive a copy of the school prospectus when their child begins school or nursery. Key policies, newsletters and the prospectus are available on the school website All new parents are invited to meet the head teacher 1:1 before their child begins school in reception All new nursery parents are invited to meet the teacher in charge of the nursery 1:1bfore their child begins nursery All new parents to reception and nursery are invited to a parents meeting about settling their child at school/nursery and given the opportunity to ask questions and meet key people in school We endeavour to ensure that where parents are separated we send all communications to both parents via post or parent mail

3 Governor minutes and policies are available to all parents Each class contributes to the school blog, where parents can gain an insight into what is happening in classes across the school. Involvement in children s learning Parents and carers can talk with teachers before and after school on an informal basis on most days. Parents are encouraged to come and talk to someone in school if they have any concerns about their child, however small. We would rather look in to a concern early on rather than something become a big worry or escalate. Appointments to see a teacher or the head teacher can be made through the school office, or by direct contact and can be set up for as soon as required in most instances. There are opportunities for parents to have a formal discussion with their child s teacher at parents evenings each term. Teachers value these opportunities to celebrate successes, review learning targets and listen to parental views. Targets for children to be working towards are shared with parents at the autumn term meeting. An annual report on each child s academic and personal development is made available in the summer term. A feedback slip is attached, and parents may request a meeting with the teacher to discuss the contents of the report. Parents are welcomed to school to have an informal discussion with their child s current teacher and to introduce themselves to the child s next teacher. Annual curriculum evenings are held to set out the expectations for the year and give parents ideas of how they can support their child s learning. Regular curriculum workshops are organised to assist parents and carers in supporting their child s learning eg. Phonics, Internet safety, reading, SATs Policy documents, schemes of work and National Curriculum guidance are readily available for parents and carers to view. Curriculum letters are sent to each child at the start of each term, detailing the aspects of learning each child will undertake, and how families might support that learning, for example by visiting museums, galleries, websites. This is also available on the school website Reading diaries act as a daily dialogue book for children between home and school. How to support your child with reading and other information relevant to your child is in the diary. Homework is given on a weekly basis. The amount and type is dependent on year group but detailed in their homework book at Key Stage 2. We value parental support regarding the completion of these tasks, many of which contain guidance for helpers National Curriculum assessments as well as records of progress and achievement are also readily available, as appropriate, to each child. Each year, children s current academic levels are sent to parents, along with end of year targets. End of year achievements are provided through the end of year reports. Parents and carers can expect to be spoken to in a quiet, private area if there are any concerns regarding their child. Monthly drop-in sessions are held by the school nurse, SENCO and Surestart for parents needing any support or advice

4 Regular review meetings are held for children on the SEN register with the SENCO, parents, outside agencies if appropriate and the children All parents and carers are invited to Sharing Assemblies to see what their child has been doing in school, as well as productions, musical evenings, sports days etc. The school regularly posts children s work and achievements on the Heymann Blog. Parents are encouraged to respond to the posts. We also run a very popular Breakfast Club and After School Club for parents to help with childcare. Types of help at school We really value the help and support parents and carers can give to school. Each year, we invite parents and carers to help in school. This could be listening to readers or helping with practical activities on a regular basis Parent helpers are invited to a meeting regarding safeguarding themselves and children before beginning to volunteer Parents and carers offer valued support when they respond to invitations to accompany school groups on educational visits, including, in some instances, assisting with transport arrangements. Parents and carers are invited, where possible, to visit classes and groups of children to give talks or demonstrations on areas of interest in which they are experts. Occasionally the governors will seek parents, elected by other parents, to serve on the governing body We value the work of the HSA (Heymann Support Association). This is a really good way of getting to know other parents and work together with staff to organise events to raise money for the school. Organisational arrangements A DBS check is run on all volunteers in school before they begin their volunteering to ensure that all volunteers are suitable to be in an environment with children Insurance cover will be organised regarding parents and carers work at school, but those involved in transporting children in private vehicles will have to bring their insurance documents in to school to be checked All helpers are asked to sign in and sign out of school when visiting, for security reasons and wear a badge All helpers are asked to inform the school, in advance if possible, should they be unable to attend school at a prearranged time. All helpers will be reminded of the confidential nature of their work in school. Parents are welcome into the staff room for drinks at break times

5 Consultation Our home-school agreement, signed by pupils, parents and the school, details the responsibilities and expectations of all stakeholders The school will make every effort to consult parents and carers, both formally and informally, about their views on school life, children s learning and new initiatives. Parents or carers of a child with SEN (Special Educational Needs) are asked to keep the school fully informed about any relevant issues, so that the school can make all reasonable efforts to meet the requirements of that child. Parents or carers of a child with Medical and health are asked to keep the school fully informed about any relevant issues, so that the school can make all reasonable efforts to meet the requirements of that child. They are also asked to update a health form on an annual basis. The school values regular feedback, and will make every effort to act on parents and carers views, wherever possible. Teachers, including the head teacher, can be approached informally before and after school, and will always take careful account of any information forwarded to them. Periodically the Governors will seek parental views more formally, through a survey, or a questionnaire on a particular theme. After an Ofsted inspection parents and carers will receive a summary of the findings. Parents are reminded to fill in Parent View on the Ofsted website

6 Appendices This policy needs to be read in conjunction with our SEND policy and Equal Opportunities Policy. Appendix 1 Parent guide to SEND Appendix 2 Child Starting Nursery Booklet Appendix 3 Welcome booklet Appendix 4 Separated Parents Policy Monitoring and review The head teacher and deputy head teachers will monitor the implementation of this policy. This policy will be reviewed in three years, or earlier if necessary. Signed Chair of Governors Date

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