Parents Evening Feedback April 2017

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your feedback to our recent questionnaire. 89 responses were received and this is what you said about the school. (% based on those who agreed or strongly agreed)

99% of parents who completed the questionnaire said the children were happy at school.

100% of parents said their child was safe at school.

98% of parents said their child was making good progress at school.

99% of parents said their child was well looked after at school.

97% of parents felt their child received appropriate homework for their age.

100% of parents who replied felt their child was well taught at this school.

97% of parents felt that pupils are well behaved at school.

98% of parents who replied felt that the school deals effectively with bullying.

100% of parents felt that the school was well led and managed.

99% felt the school responds well to concerns that are raised.

99% felt they receive valuable information about their child’s progress.

100% who replied said they would recommend the school to another parent.

Workshop Interest: number of responses

E safety 7

Bullying 12

Maths KS1 13

Maths KS2 12

Reading KS1 13

Reading KS2 11

Writing KS1 14

Writing KS2 12

EYFS learning and play 4

We will be running a series of workshops in the summer and autumn terms.

During or After School preference

After dinner time 1

After school 10

During 8

After 4 pm 1

Both 3

After if children are able to come 1

Workshops will take place after school or in the evening and ample notice will be given.

St Cuthberts Strengths, The following comments were made about

Staff and teaching:

Teachers engage individually with pupils/ supporting children in their work

2 parents said good teachers / excellent teaching and support staff

Teachers seem to put a lot of effort in with the children

2 said the teaching is great

2 said Teacher/children relationships

Children think highly of teachers and have a great respect for them

Age appropriate teaching

Relaxed informal setting which encourages learning

Multiple strengths in all areas of teaching

Small groups, encourage confidence and individual learning objectives

The Headteacher

Lovely staff

They have a good experience of working with children from different countries

Always have time for parents and pupils and always tries to improve

Great morale

Working together

Extra support available

Communication

3 parents said good communication

Regular updates re activities occurring within school

Well informed of upcoming events

3 parents replied -responds to concerns raised

Please remember we have a schoolCal app which can be downloaded to your phone as well as monthly newsletters, a website and a Facebook page. Newsletters and dates are all on our website.

School Environment

Children are always very happy and safe

The progress my kids are making is great/happy with progress

The school has a good structure an is friendly

Very well kept

2 said Lovely school with good Catholic ethos

9 said Friendly/welcoming/caring

3 said Sense of community and togetherness/ Community environment

Children seem very happy, helps learning in a positive environment

Good links with community

Belonging as a family/ family atmosphere

Children well behaved

Well ran school

Sports

2 said Sports/keeping active

Strongly encouraged to develop sporting skills

Mr Barras is an excellent member of staff

Great extra curricular opportunities including PE dept

Other

Prayers and beliefs/beliefs reflect well with home and Church life/Church links

More than happy sending my children here

No negative issues

My child loves attending school and is always eager to share what they have done

Strong care values

Break time activities

Location

What would you like to see happening next at St Cuthbert’s: (your responses)

Afterschool

Workshops after 5 pm so working parents can attend

2 said Afterschool clubs for all ages

3 said more after school activities

More PE and afterschool clubs, maybe payable by parents

2 requested Afterschool clubs not sporty

Art/ICT clubs during and after school

More activities for parents and children together eg bedtime story nights, fun and relaxing for everyone 2

Discos are brilliant and have been a success

More discos

Discos nights alternate so children with other hobbies can attend

More classes for parents to get involved

Other

Not enough men as School Governors. It’s hard for men to get sponsors as not friends with all the mothers as mothers seem to be main ones doing drop off

A longer school day maybe to half four to help parents

Parish Hall being re-furbed and made useful again

More trips with one parent adding - parent funded

More updates re individual child’s progress ie app which gives daily/weekly updates (or any positive feedback)

Keeping parents involved in the knowledge and understanding of their child’s school life

Uniform policy re-enforced within the school

Keep up strengths/ the good work and team attitude

Fantastic morale – keep it up

Nothing, school is fab

Staggering of Easter/Summer and Christmas holidays

An effort made to revitalise the teacher’s passion for teaching

The school budget being managed better, ie too much gets asked of parents to pay for trips, even a small donation can be a bit too much for some parents

Better rewards for 100% attendance –maybe each term.

More seems to be done for those who misbehave than get rewarded for good behaviour

Smaller class sizes (Impossible with lack of government funding)

Tuck shop more regular but healthier options

No recommendations

Our response to your suggestions:

Afterschool Clubs- we currently run a sports club each night as well as an ICT club, change for life, chatterbooks and homework club. These clubs are aimed at KS2 children as they are older and able to sustain a longer day. These clubs will be available as children move through the school so all children will get a chance at some point. We are beginning an art club for Y2, steel pans for Y5 and 6 and drama club for Y4 and 5 in the summer term. Space, teacher time and work-life balance have to be considered.

There will be another bedtime story evening in July and then on a termly basis.

We will be running a ‘keeping up with the kids’ course for parents after Easter. More details will follow.

Other:

• We would welcome more men as School Governors. We currently only have one male governor so when we run a parent governor election again please apply.

• The parish hall belongs to the Diocese and not the school. The cost to refurbish it is beyond the school’s capabilities.

• We are unable to extend the school day but there is an afterschool club available until 4pm for £3.

• We are looking in to free apps to update parents with their child’s latest progress. We hope to have this in place for September.

• We currently offer termly awards for 100% attendance. We are now offering half termly awards also.

• Trips – we aim to enhance children’s learning through visits and visitors. Sadly, the cost of transport is very expensive and the school could not afford to run the trip without parental contributions. These are always voluntary but trips would have to be cancelled if not enough donations were received.

• I will ask the schools council to look in to healthier options for the tuck shop.

• Learning to be well behaved needs teaching and support just the same as any other learning such as English or maths. It is not a given. The school offers extra support to those who struggle with behaviour the same as we would if a child was struggling in maths. It is our role to meet each child’s individual needs. We aim to praise all children and give rewards to all for their achievements. If a child has made a great effort and succeeded at something they find difficult they should be given recognition for that.

Kind regards

Mrs J Wilson