Head Teachers Initial Consultation page 2
Q6 ? What are your views on homework ? amount, type, frequency etc?
The vast majority of parents (97.4% of respondents) were in favour of homework and thought it was important but beyond that initial view there was a wide range of opinions about the amount, the timing and the frequency some of which were as follows:
- Very good variety
- More variety
- Very good to have each night
- OK in moderation
- Enough ? correct amount
- Not enough for Juniors Maths and English each week
- Should not have any ( 2.6% of respondents)
- Regular and increasing with age
- Not for infants
- Should only be midweek
- Only on weekends
- A good opportunity to talk about school
- Prepares for secondary school
- More maths
As you can see some very differing views. We are currently reviewing our homework policies and procedures and, in discussing this with staff, we feel that as we cannot respond to all the differing views we must use our professional judgement, common practice in other schools, and also government guidance to help us determine our policy.
As soon as the policy is finalised a leaflet explaining the policy and the arrangements for each year group will be produced for distribution to parents.
In addition we are currently working on a Homework Journal which will form the communication between home and school which many of you requested.
Any review of policy and changes in practice take a while to develop and implement and to that end our target is that the Homework Journal will be designed and printed ready for use at the start of the new academic year. We will be trialling elements of the Journal in Year Six this term to ensure that we have a system which is useful, effective and manageable. In the meantime current arrangements for homework will continue.
Q7 ? Do you feel comfortable about approaching the school with questions or problems? If you answer no could you please explain why?
The response to this question was very positive with only 3 respondents answering ?no?.
Many respondents mentioned that the teaching staff were very approachable and caring and the office staff also received very positive comment.
A few people expressed the reservation that perhaps concerns were not always dealt with at a senior level and this is something that we intend to rectify. I trust that parents will now find that their concerns are always dealt with by senior management and that appropriate feedback is given.
Some parents mentioned that it would be good if the teachers from upstairs could also come out onto the playground at the end of the day to allow informal chat. The reason that they do not is that the supervision of children on the stairs is their paramount duty at the end of the day and by the time all children are clear of the upper floor most parents have already left the playground.
However, parents are most welcome to come into school after the bell and talk to their child?s teacher informally ? or to make a more formal appointment if needed.
Q8 ? Do you feel well enough informed about your child?s progress and the work he/she undertakes? Have you any suggestions about ways in which you would like to be informed?
For this we had the same number of respondents who said ?yes? as those who said ?no? however there were some interesting comments. Some of the issues raised I have already covered in the questions on communication about topics and homework.
Many parents made comments about the lack of Open Evenings and I understand those comments. The pattern for this academic year, and until further notice, will be as follows:
Autumn Term ? Consultation with class teacher ? the purpose being to establish contact and discuss initial settling into the year.
Spring Term ? Consultation Evening with particular emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy
Summer Term ? Following the issue of Annual Reports an opportunity to meet with class teachers should parents wish.
A number of parents commented that brief termly reports would be useful. We are currently considering the possibility of this whilst also being mindful of workload issues for teachers.
Two parents suggested a page for each child on our website which could contain information about weekly lessons and progress and also allow for communication between home and school. Whilst there would obviously be some internet security issues involved the actual workload involved in managing such a system is well beyond our current human resource.
Q9 ? What are your views on school uniform?
This question received the largest response of all with 98% of respondents totally in favour of uniform and many of those expressing the view that it should be compulsory.
A representative range of the comments given is as follows:
· Excellent/Very good/important
· Fully support/100% for it/ Love it!/Brilliant!/Well done!
· Instils discipline/promotes good attitude/creates identity and commitment/pride/belonging
· Should/must be compulsory for everyone/without exception
· Shoes as well please/no trainers
· All good schools have uniforms
· Provides security
· Makes parents life easier/cheaper/looks smart/practical
· Removes clothing competition/promotes equality/fashion intrudes on academic life
· Should be abolished/children should be individuals/not compulsory at this age (1.9%)
As you will no doubt already be aware, following my letter just before Christmas, with these comments and the results of a previous uniform survey in mind the Governing Body at their Autumn Term meeting decided that uniform would be compulsory for Green Lane Primary School. I include below a section from our recently devised Uniform Policy which outlines our views and incorporates the views of parents outlined in the questionnaire responses.
Rationale
We believe that the wearing of uniform encourages children to have a sense of belonging and of being part of a community. It is an outward expression of the school?s identity and promotes a feeling of pride and equality. In addition, we believe that the wearing of a ?uniform?, as opposed to leisure wear contributes to helping children understand that they come to school to work and learn.
Aims
· To ensure that children wear clothing to school which is safe and practical
· To promote pride in their school and a sense of identity
· To promote the idea of Green lane as a Learning Community
· To promote the image of the school within the local area and the town
· To eliminate competition amongst children in relation to what they wear
· To ensure that the uniform is simple and reasonably priced.
In order to help fulfil these aims extreme hairstyles would be considered unsuitable.
Q10 ? Do you feel that school helps your child become mature and responsible and promotes good attitudes and values? Please comment.
Once again the response to this question was very positive with only 1% of respondents answering no.
There was a great deal of support expressed for the Golden Rules. the Positive Behaviour Plan, and the reward and merit systems and our PSHE.
Slight inconsistencies in applying the reward systems are currently being ironed out so as to ensure consistency of application across a year group and the whole school. Although, how rewards and sanctions are applied will have some differences depending on the age of the children.
Many parents mentioned the value of good manners and respect for all and both of these are part of our expectation for positive behaviour and will receive due emphasis from all staff as our behaviour plan is fully embedded and developed.
A number of parents mentioned that playground behaviour should also be given attention and this was already part of our plans. The dinner ladies all use the same systems that teachers use within the Positive Behaviour Plan and this has greatly reduced the number of incidents of playground misbehaviour last term.
However, this is not to say that incidents do not still occur and we are looking along with all pupils, the student council, and our healthy schools group at ways of improving both the facilities and the range of activities we can provide in the playground in order that children can play successfully together.