PARENTS' FORUM
The Parents’ Forum meets once a term and is open to any interested parents or carers. It was set up to provide parents with an opportunity to discuss educational issues and to improve consultation with both parents and carers. Agenda items may be suggested by parents or school in advance of the meetings and this ensures that we reflect the issues that are of interest to both parties.
The meetings are quite informal but are minuted. These minutes are available on the web site. We have discussed a wide range of issues:
Minutes of Parent Forum – 16.3.10
In attendance : Mrs Gray,
Mrs Cameron, Mrs Wincott, Mrs Vince
Update on Parentpay
SO confirmed that Parentpay would be available after Easter. Discussion regarding the uptake rate and additional costs that would occur one month into pilot. Mrs Vince outlined that a surcharge was accepted in her place of work. All parents present agreed would be willing to pay a small additional cost for the convenience
Open Evening
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Need to advertise with posters and A board. Discussions took place regarding putting workshops on at the same time. Last years Open Day was well attended. It will be a trial to see how well workshops are attended. |
Mrs Wincott raised a question over whether new starters had been invited.
Ofsted Report
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Issues raised over progress in KS2. SO outlined that internal tracking indicated that children made more progress than in previous years. School had already identified this. |
Concerns raised about which teaching was not good. SO outlined that this had been a minority of teaching observed and that the majority was good or outstanding. Mrs Wincott discussed how many schools were now at a lower grade under the new framework.
Homework
Parents felt that there was inconsistency. Optional homework was fun and largely motivational although it would help to state choose at least one activity – help to support parents at home. More emphasis is placed on English rather than Maths. Parents supported less homework further down school. Spelling sentences felt had limited impact and were very repetitive. It was felt that a variety of ways – wordsearches etc would inspire and motivate pupils more. It was recognised that there would be a wide spectrum of parental opinion.
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Discussion regarding expansion of the range of activities now available. Children had enjoyed the theme days. |
Parents felt that generally the SDP was full as it stands