Education Excellence & Character Development Home School Communications Policy For entry in 2015/16 Date Ratified by Governors: October 2014 Date of Review: October 2016 1 P a g e
To achieve academic excellence, develop students with exemplary character, prepare students to effectively live, work and trade in the global economy and ensure that every student succeeds Introduction King Solomon International Business School (King Solomon) is an all through Christian school which welcomes children of all faiths and no faith. The school specialises in international business and offers the International Baccalaureate to its sixth formers. King Solomon equips students with the knowledge and skills to be able to effectively live, work and trade in the global economy. Academic excellence and character development is the hallmark of King Solomon, and we are committed to ensuring that no student is left behind. In strong agreement with Government policy, the King Solomon International Business School and Principal sees the role of parents and carers in the education of their children as being fundamental to their success. The school will endeavour to use a wide range of approaches to ensure that, at every opportunity, parents and carers are provided with clear information, presented regularly, to ensure they understand how well their children are progressing and, how they can support their learning at home. This will not only apply to formal reporting on progress and attainment, but whenever parents and carers are in contact with school personnel. Roles and Responsibilities The responsibility for the implementation of this policy and provision rests with the Principal. On an operational basis, the management, responsibility and evaluation of this policy will be undertaken by the Head of School for each phase (primary and secondary). All staff are responsible for ensuring that communications with parents and carer are always clear, positive and polite. Communication with parents and carers It is widely acknowledged in Government guidance, legislation and research that parents/carers have a key role to play in their child s education. King Solomon International Business School will make arrangements for parents/carers to contribute to the shared view of their child s needs. The parents/ carers of every child of compulsory school age must make sure that they receive efficient full-time education suitable to: their age, ability and aptitude; and Any special educational needs they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. (Section 7. Education Act 1996) Communicate regularly with school staff and alert them to any concerns they have about their child s learning or provision. For the primary phase the point of contact will be the child s form tutor; for the secondary phase the point of contact is the child s Head of House; and Fulfil their obligations under the home-school agreement, which clearly sets out the 2 P a g e
expectations on both sides. What the school will do to work positively with parents/carers In order to support parents/carers, the school will: Actively seek to work with parents/carers. Value parents /carers strengths, knowledge and experience. Empower parents/carers to contribute to their child s education and support. The school will ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to allow all those with parental responsibility to be informed about and be involved in their child s education. The school will audit existing practice to ensure that parents/carers: Feel welcomed; Receive and understand communications from the school; Are supported as educators of their children or as learners themselves ; Are involved in school life and; Have a voice in school policies and organisation. Supporting parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) The new SEND Code of Practice that came into effect in September 2014 emphasises the importance of positive, supportive attitudes to parents/carers and the provision of userfriendly information and procedures. All school staff will bear in mind the pressures a parent/carer may be under because of the child s needs and staff at King Solomon will make every effort to ensure effective communication with parents. The previous classification of school action and school action plus have been replaced. Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) now replace statements of SEN. At the school we have chosen to keep the classification simple so pupils are identified as having either a learning need (LN) or an emotion need (EN). At King Solomon the following nomenclature will be used: LN or EN (formerly School Action) LN+ or EN + (formerly School Action Plus) EHCP (formerly Statements of SEN) For pupils identified as having a learning need or emotional need 3 P a g e
The responsibilities of parents/carers of children with SEND As soon as parents/carers feel that their child may have a special educational need and may need different arrangements to be made for them: The school will listen to, and take parents /carers views and concerns into account when considering any intervention. When a student is provided with any additional or different intervention parents/carers will be supported by the school to play a part in the processes of planning and reviewing their child s Individual Education Plan (IEP). For pupils that require an ECHP, parents/carers will be encouraged to help the school in implementing any intervention/support programme. If, despite the additional support provided by the school, parents/carers feel their child needs more help than the intervention available through the EHC plan, they have the right to ask Birmingham City Council to consider whether it is necessary to carry out a statutory assessment, which the school will support them with. The responsibilities of the school Within a culture of partnership with parents/carers, school staff will ensure that any concerns they have about a student s learning will be discussed with parents/carers at an early stage. The key person for liaising with parents/carers of pupils with additional needs will be the SENCo. All school staff will: Discuss concerns in private; Listen carefully to information provided by the parent/carer; Acknowledge the parents /carers expert knowledge of their child; Respect confidentiality; Actively listen; Show empathy; Be honest; Be positive - focus on the student s strengths as well as areas of need; Be aware that parents/carers may have needs themselves which may act as a barrier to communication; Be flexible about arrangements for meetings and appointments; Provide opportunities for parents/carers to support their child s learning (e.g. through their contribution to the child s Individual Support Plan); Invite views from parents/carers about progress, e.g. at review meetings; Provide access to all information and records on their child; Be clear about what additional support the school will provide to meet the child s needs, and what arrangements will be put into place to monitor and review progress; and Share with parents/carers records kept of meetings. 4 P a g e
Involvement of external agencies If a child s targets are not being achieved and the school feels there is a need to involve external agencies, school staff will carefully explain their reasons and give information about the external agency to be involved to parents/carers, so that they can give informed consent to their involvement. Where outside agencies provide leaflets to explain what their service can provide, the school will ensure that such leaflets are readily available. Where the school decides to forward documentation to the Statutory Assessment and Moderating Panel, school staff will always go through the documentation carefully with parents/carers, inviting them to contribute their own views. Parents/carers must sign the permission form for the documents to be shared with members of the panel in order for papers to be considered. As part of a statutory assessment of a child s special educational needs, parents/carers will be asked for their advice. Parental/carer advice will be considered alongside advice from the school and other professionals when considering the student s needs. Parents/carers are entitled to express a preference for special provision and their preference has to be given careful consideration by the school Governing Body and if relevant, Birmingham City Council. Additional information can be attached to parental/carer advice (e.g. a private report from a Psychologist or Speech and Language Therapist). Prior to an annual review (to which parents/carers must be invited), the school will write to parents/carers and professionals seeking written views. Any reports received will be sent out to parents/carers two weeks before the review. Where necessary, the Head of School (primary/secondary) or SENCo will arrange for an interpreter or signer to be present at the meeting. Monitoring and Review This policy will be monitored by the Head of School for each phase (primary and secondary) to ensure its effectiveness through the school s self-review process. Evidence will be sought to confirm that the policy is promoted effectively to all stakeholders, ensuring that staff, students and parents understand and meet their responsibilities. This policy statement will continue to be discussed with students, parents/carers staff and Governors. The revision of this policy will be ongoing, ensuring the involvement and commitment of the whole School community. The statement will be reviewed annually and a written report presented for Governor s information. Approval by Governing Body This policy has been formally approved and adopted by the Local Governing Body at a formally convened meeting Signed: (Chair of Governors) Date: Review date: End of policy statement 5 P a g e
Appendix 1 King Solomon International Business School Core Principles The core principles of King Solomon International Business School will be seen at school, home and the community. We aim to provide a high quality education within the framework of Christian worship as exemplified by the doctrine and principles of the Christian faith and promote Christian values throughout the school. Educational excellence and character development is at the heart of all we do. In line with the Christian ethos of the school the virtues of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will be actively encouraged and the skills outlined in the IB learner profile will be developed. 6 P a g e
Appendix 2: HOME SCHOOL AGREEMENT - 2014/2015 King Solomon International Business School Home-School Agreement of Partnership for «Forename» «Legal_Surname» The staff and governors warmly welcome you into our school s community. We believe that a strong partnership between the school and the parents/carers, is in the best interests of your child, and we are legally required to ask you to enter into an agreement of partnership. Parents/carers, like the school, have duties towards the children. We set out these duties below as pledges, and include pledges for your child as well. Pledges for the School: We will do our best to make you feel welcome and supported at school and to give you every opportunity to be involved in our teaching and learning programmes. We will give you regular information about your child s progress in acquiring knowledge and skills, and we will give you early notice of any concerns we may have about learning, behaviour or relationships. We will seek in every way to give your child an excellent education, both academic and social. The school will endeavour to: Abide by the King Solomon International Business School s core principles Provide a broad, balanced and well taught curriculum that is personalised to the needs of your child Set high standards, and provide a high-quality learning environment that is conducive to high attainment Provide an environment that cultivates Christian virtues and values Encourage «Forename» to achieve his or her potential in all aspects of school life Care for «Forename» as a valued member of the school community, irrespective of gender, race or religion, treating everyone with respect, keep them safe and care for them) Keep strong communications with parents about school matters, pupil progress, performance, behaviour and detentions Provide a written report on your child at least once a year Use rewards to recognise good academic achievement; apply sanctions fairly and appropriately Offer rich extra-curricular activities that will tackle social issues, develop academic skill, increase overall health and prepare pupils with the life skills necessary for strong progress. Expect exemplary behaviour, hard effort, respect and responsibility by maintaining a code of conduct which fosters a caring, secure and disciplined environment Keep parents and guardians informed about any changes in the policies of the school, and general school matters Extend quality care to everyone connected with the school Provide a clear and responsive communication channel for enquiries, concerns and complaints. 7 P a g e
Pledges for the parent(s) or carer(s): I/we promise that, having chosen King Solomon International Business School for our child, I/we will accept the school s overall aims and objectives, and positively support the staff at the school. I/we will endeavour to: Abide by the King Solomon International Business School s core principles Support excellent standards of work and behaviour Ensure regular attendance and punctuality, provide explanations for absence and not book any holidays in term time Ensure that the school has up-to-date information for emergency contacts Keep the school informed on end-of-day child collection arrangements, and support the code of conduct, which seeks to guarantee a caring, secure and disciplined environment. Set good examples at home to encourage consistently good behaviour both in and out of school Let the school know of any problems which might affect our child s work or behaviour Attend parent-teacher consultations about my/our child s attainment and progress Encourage her/him in homework, coursework and other opportunities for home learning Support by attending school community events and parental services offered by the school Encourage my child to follow the school s reward scheme, code of behaviour and support its policies, including its stance on zero tolerance on drugs/items that may cause harm/threat to others (this also applies to the misuse of prescribed drugs Ensure child attends school on time, well equipped and in clean and tidy uniform Allow child to attend extra-curricular and out of school activities including mandatory afterschool clubs, school holiday programmes and power hours if my child is underachieving as advised by the school Pledges for the pupil: In order for this agreement of partnership between my parent(s)/carer(s) and my school to be successful, I must: Abide by the King Solomon International Business School s core principles and Christian values Be on time and attend school regularly Behave in a safe and responsible way following school rules and co-operate with staff Be ready to learn and wear my uniform correctly and with pride Be kind, helpful and forgiving Do all classwork and homework as well as I can, asking questions when I don t understand and handing it in on time Be polite, helpful and respectful to others in and outside school Be honest and learn from mistakes Help keep my school free of litter and show respect for property Take part in varied extra-curricular activities, attend detentions and learn from my mistakes 8 P a g e
Never bring illegal drugs/items that may cause harm/threat to others into school Strive to make my parent(s)/carer(s) and the school proud of me JOINT DECLARATION By working together, we aim to enable «Forename» to enjoy a positive and fulfilling experience at school, thereby helping all the children at King Solomon International Business School to achieve their full potential. Signed Date (Parent/Guardian) Signed Date (Teacher) Signed Date (Pupil) 9 P a g e