If you’ve read the first article about the annual survey, you’ll know that we’ve received very positive feedback about the series of statements – we’re especially happy that once more, 100% of parents / carers who responded agreed with the statement My child is happy to come to school.
This second article looks at the comments some of you made. Here are some of the constructive ideas and ‘even better if’ comments you noted:
“Stop avoiding using the words ‘Christmas’, ‘Halloween’ etc. Political correctness gone mad! More apt communication eg lots comes out about general things but nothing came out to say my daughter was leaving school to go visit the bank.” We don’t avoid using the term ‘Christmas’ and in fact in recent years have developed more Christmas activities such as Christmas Carol singing in the community; we choose not to celebrate ‘Hallowe’en’ because we view it as a fairly minor event in the year which might distract from learning in school. If you’ve reason to believe a member of staff is being overly politically correct at the expense of reference to key aspects of our culture and identity, please speak with me. Regarding the visit to the bank, this is a local visit and so we don’t ask permission; we’re sorry you weren’t aware of this – I’ve encouraged teachers to post news articles on the class news, especially in busy weeks such as themed weeks, when the bank visit happened.
“Would like to hear more about the transition to Year 1, and the expectations. Anecdotally I hear it is a big jump and can be a shock to the youngsters. However, I suspect more information about this will come towards the end of this term and start of next term.” Thank you for your patience regarding transition to Year 1 – since you returned your survey, there was indeed a meeting to discuss this – and look out for the forthcoming Learning Workshop this half-term. Please contact Mrs Maver, the Year 1 teacher, if you want more guidance.
School trips – need more than 2 weeks notice – it causes childcare issues otherwise. Lost property – if an item has a name on it – why is it put into LOST property??? Photoboard – re members of staff and identifying them – HASN’T appeared – they don’t wear ID badges and don’t introduce themselves: so who are they? Toilets – near the hall: the large disabled one has no lid: when you flush it germs spread everywhere, including over the hand basin – very unhygienic!! PTA – until recently – as additions on newsletter, we aren’t informed what the PTA spend their money on. We constantly have non-uniform days, stalls etc to raise money but it would be good to know the PTA’s plans for the money: could they do a bulletin/newsletter maybe twice a year to inform us of their plans how they’ll spend the (our) money. It’s difficult to get communications right for everyone but I agree – lots of notice about trips would be good and I’ve asked office staff to try to communicate trips etc earlier (difficult, since the electronic diary system we use allows for an alert only two weeks in advance!) – please let me know if you feel things haven’t improved. I agree that clothes with a name should not be put in the lost property box; we suspect this is due to children who spot clothes around school and choose not to ignore them but instead put them somewhere safe. We’ve arranged for a weekly check of the lost property box. Regarding knowing who staff are, I must apologise that a photoboard of staff has not appeared. To remedy the situation, one will appear very soon and the photos will also appear in the Class News section of the website; I’ve also reminded staff to introduce themselves! I’m not a big fan of ID badges as we’re a small community and sometimes wonder if – from a security point of view – they encourage complacency. The easy-access toilet doesn’t have – and has never had – a lid; I wonder if this is due to accessibility issues, which I’m investigating (can anybody offer advice?). Finally, The PTA is still re-establishing itself so communication could be better, I agree – I’ll pass you comments on to Mrs Maver, who currently coordinates this. The PTA needs a Chair to manage such issues – I don’t want to decide how we spend money without PTA agreement. Any volunteers to be Chair?
Not enough school trips – if any! Especially for older ones. There also seems to be more warnings than praise. This parent was in Year 6 – we really want all Year 6 pupils to go on the annual residential, and so try to keep other trips to a minimum to make the residential more affordable. I understand it might seem there are more warnings than praise – this, I’m sure, is due to warnings being taken seriously (and note-worthy) by our conscientious pupils. Year 6 pupils tell me when I lead Year 6 leavers’ interviews each year that they like warnings because it helps pupils to learn, and they always say praise and warnings are fair.
I would like to see a better variety of sports taking place in school time. Healthy competition between schools in various sports would be great. Especially with the Olympics coming up! (athletics, tennis, rugby, rounders or baseball among many). This comes from a parent of younger children. I’ve passed your comment to our Health Leader, Mrs Taylor. The variety of physical activity our children do widens as the children get older because they are more able to walk to Allerton Grange and benefit from activities there, and many local tournaments are open to older children only. I’m trying to establish with local schools a football league. Please also look out for various after-school clubs – we have a weekly football club on Fridays and there are many other sports clubs in the area – contact us for details.
My child is currently on pack lunches because from what she told me when wasn’t eating much veg and fruit in school dinners. Yet on pack lunch it seems she is not allowed to sit with friends and not very happy at all. So I am feeling somewhat pressured to return her to school dinners. Please look at packed lunch seating arrangements, and also veg choices and encouragement in school dinners. We introduced set tables for those who have a packed lunch so older children could act as role models and support and encourage younger children. A mix of children on each table promotes social skills and develops the community atmosphere. Children I’ve asked have told me they like this and understand why it’s useful. However, your daughter can mention this (perhaps using the Worry Box near the office or the SEAL boxes in each class), or you can tell Mrs Wilson or the class teacher – we want everyone to have a happy and healthy lunchtime, whoever they sit with, so will endeavour to rearrange some seating for individual children if we know about it.
If your view is not expressed here, it’s because (I hope) I’ve addressed it in response to someone else’s comment. Again, please contact me, or the Chair of Governors if you prefer, if you’re concerned about something at school.
Thanks for your comments. I welcome all your suggestions, questions and concerns. Of course, it’s good to have the occasional pat on the back, too – look out for the third news post where I list some of your praise!