Parents' Forum

Minutes of Last Meeting | 3rd June 2008 | 12th Marth 2008

Next Parents Forum meeting
Thursday 11th June at 5.30 p.m. in school.

Minutes of Last Meeting

Lindisfarne Middle School
Parents’ Consultation Group Minutes
 
 5 p.m. 28th January 2009

Present:  Carys Thomas, Dr Rose, Mrs Hall.

Apologies: Paula Cross.

1.  Reports. 
The report format was discussed.  It was felt that the information about whether a pupil is working in line with national expectations that appears on the Maths report would be helpful for all subjects.  Carys reported that children used the position of the ticks in the top boxes as quick visual feedback.  Because the French curriculum is started later, pupils’ skills were naturally at lower levels that in other subjects and ticks were more likely to be shifted to the left.  This could be disappointing for pupils.  Dr Rose will ask the French department about changing the statements or putting in a brief explanation.  Pupils also showed interest in the Pupils Characteristics box.  Staff are currently considering whether the three categories of Excellent/Good/With Support cover all pupils.

2.  School Prospectus

The current prospectus is updated annually.  Mrs Hall was also useful as a ‘fresh pair of eyes’.  It was suggested that the section on planners in Home School Communication could give more information.  Transport section – we could add in that at the end of the school day pupils are supervised onto buses to ensure they board safely.  School Meals section – shrink the sample menu to give room to explain the cashless system.

3.  School Council Policy on Hairstyles

The detailed guidance could go into the prospectus.  Carys pointed out the importance of equal treatment for boys and girls and Dr Rose agreed that this was something she too felt strongly about.  Carys suggested that inconsistent interpretation of the policy between different staff has been an issue in the past.  Dr Rose suggested that staff review the guidelines at the next staff meeting to try to reach a more common understanding.

4.  A.O.B.

Carys reported that many parents had said they found the drop in sessions in September for new parents very helpful to put faces to names of staff.  We will repeat these each year.  At the open evening for new parents in the summer, the day to day information about lunch cards and how planners are used is what parents valued the most.  Mr Leader organised last year’s successful event & this information will be passed to him.

The meeting closed at 17.50 p.m.

Minutes of Meeting Held 3rd June 2008

Lindisfarne Middle School
Parents’ Consultation Group Minutes
 
 5 p.m. 3rd June 2008

Present:  Helen White, Dawn Smith, Theresa Dixon, Helen Robson, Carys Thomas, Fiona Robson

Apologies: Paula Cross, Caron Torbohm, Sue Gothorp.

1.  Changes to the Key Stage 3 Curriculum. 
Dr Rose gave some information about the new QCA Curriculum for Years7-9.  The prescriptive content of the foundation subjects (subjects other than Maths, English, Science & ICT) is slightly reduced and there is emphasis on teaching skills as much as knowledge.  Schools are expected to change their approach to teaching too.  It is hoped that this will better prepare children for the new 14-19 curriculum.

2.  Our Creative Curriculum.

All schools must phase in this new approach for Year 7 in September 2008.
They are encouraging schools to teach through activities that develop more independence in pupils and allow them to use all their skills   
At Lindisfarne, Yr7 will have 3 afternoons a week to learn through working on cross-curricular projects which will encompass, History, Geography, R.E, P.S.H.E, Art and some Science themes.  They will also have opportunities to use their English, Maths, ICT, research, decision making, time organisation, collaborative skills to name but a few.  Staff are excited by this opportunity to plan exciting and engaging activities for pupils.
We believe that learning in this way complements our traditional curriculum and from September Yr5 will be following this approach for 2 afternoons a week.   Introducing these changes takes time and careful planning so we will phase in the same opportunities for Yr6 and Yr8 in September 2009.  Until then years 6 and 8 will still be covering the same subjects but taught in traditional lessons.

The group gave valuable feedback on the information on these changes which would be helpful for parents to receive in the next newsletter.

3. Results of pupil and parental surveys.

We pay an independent company to collate and analyse the responses to the surveys which ensures an objective view.  Dr Rose presented a summary of the findings to the group to assess if, as parents, they felt it contained enough information.  The general view is that it contained more than enough of the main points.  This summary will be sent out to parents with the next newsletter and will be shared with pupils by their form teachers.

4.  A.O.B.

The School’s continued efforts to improve information to parents were briefly discussed.  The new newsletter format is an attempt to improve things and the group reported that the website is now a very helpful source of information.  Planners will be provided for pupils again next year so that they can be used for home/school communication.  In September, on two afternoons, new Y5 parents will be invited to drop in to school for a ‘cuppa’ to meet staff.

Set changes (in English and Maths) which are necessary for a small number of pupils at various times throughout the year were discussed.  It was suggested to Dr Rose that a note in the prospectus would be helpful.  It could explain that pupils’ progress was assessed regularly throughout the year and if staff felt they needed to be taught in a different way or at a different pace to benefit their learning, their set would be changed.  It was also decided that letters to this effect should be sent to parents before the child is moved so that they could help to prepare the child for the move so they could see it in a more positive light.

The meeting closed at 18.10 p.m.

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Minutes of Meeting Held on the 12th March 2008

Lindisfarne Middle School
Parents’ Consultation Group Minutes
 
 5.00 pm12th March 2008

Present:  Mrs Smith, Mrs Torbohm, Mrs Robson, Mrs Watts, Mrs Gothorp, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Cross, Miss Dixon, Mrs White

Apologies: Mrs Robson

1.  Work in School to Prevent Bullying.

We supported National ant-bullying week in November with various activities.  The Partnership schools are working together with the school councils.  Our pupils have completed a bulling survey and staff have analysed the results to see if certain classes or small groups need more pastoral support. 
The school is now asked to provide County with information about bullying.  All incidents (whether bullying or not) are recorded and dealt with in school.  We will be supplying only numbers of incidents under various headings e.g. verbal bullying and NOT giving details of individual pupils.

The Partnership anti-bullying group (with members from several schools in the area) have produced a document for parents.  This was discussed.  The group felt that it was too long.  Parents felt that the information they really needed to know was: who to contact in school and some of the schools preventative measures and strategies for dealing with bullying.  It was suggested that a one page summary would be more useful, supported by some guidance on the school website such as what signs to look for in children if bullying was suspected and who to contact with concerns.  The excellent role of the Learning Mentors was valued by those parents who had become aware of what they do.  Other parents were not as aware of their role.  This could be part of the guidance on the website.  The website would also suggest who to contact if your child is unhappy or upset (even if the problem isn’t really bullying).  There is a useful section already on the website about cyber bullying.

2.  Anti-bullying Policy.

The comprehensive anti-bullying policy would be available on the school website as soon as it has been approved by Governors.

3.  Contacting Parents in the Event of School Closure.

Dr Rose sought the views of the group about the recent closure imposed by County.  It was accepted by all that it was impractical for the school to be able to contact the parents of 470 pupils in the short time before buses arrive to take them home.  Parents said that the existing arrangements were quite clear and that they did not expect phone calls.
Such arrangements were also necessary if there were problems with a bus not turning up first thing in the morning.    It was felt that the existing arrangements should continue and it should make it clear that only under exceptional circumstances there should be a box for parents to tick if they would need a phone call.  From September it is hoped that many parents will opt to receive newsletters etc. via e-mail and Dr Rose will explore the possibility of making use of text messaging.

4.  Homework Policy

This had been reviewed by staff and minimal changes made.  The difficulty that parents sometimes face in helping their children with homework was discussed.  Parents commented that websites like BBC bitesize are very useful.  A list of useful websites can be found under ‘Links’ on the Lindisfarne website.  All pupils also have access to homework clubs in school where they can work in a peaceful place and get some help with their homework.  Parents said that they have found previous sessions on helping their children with Maths particularly useful since things are taught in different ways now, since we were at school!  Dr Rose said that another such session was in the planning stages for the autumn.

5.  A.O.B.

Dr Rose asked the group if they felt there would be interest in a Friends of Lindisfarne Group with the aim of fundraising.  Such a group can also be useful social contact for parents to get to know other parents and be more involved with the school.  Some parents return to work, others live some distance from the school and generally have less contact with the school that they do with first schools.  Dr Rose agreed to write to all parents next term, including parents of incoming Yr4 pupils to see if there is enough interest to form a group.  Various ways of supporting parents were discussed.  Dr Rose had considered inviting Y5 parents to accompany their children into school for the first week in September but some parents said that they thought that this could lead to teasing of children.  Instead, on a couple of occasions in the first 2 weeks of the autumn term, new Y5 parents would be invited to drop in for a cup of tea after school to say hello to staff and then their child could show them their new classroom etc.

The meeting closed at 18.50 p.m.

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