Parent Survey 2014

 

Thank you for your responses to the parent survey in December. We received 63 replies from a possible 215 families. The results were broadly very positive and have been discussed in detail at the Children and Families Governors Committee this month.

In addition to the questions, parents had an opportunity to write freely to identify the strengths and areas for improvement for the school.

The strengths were many. They included the teaching staff, the school leadership, the sense of community, the care provided for children, the creative arts and the school ethos. Thank you for all of these. All the staff work incredibly hard and to have their efforts recognised is hugely rewarding for them and for me.

I have also looked at each of the suggested areas for improvement with governors and have provided responses below.

1. Improve the communication and administration of clubs for children after school.

School Response: Whilst we do our very best to provide clubs, all of which are run for pupil enjoyment and many at no cost to pupils,I am looking into online systems which will make this fairer and easier for working parents. If you are a parent with positive experience of any electronic system, then please do share your ideas.

2. Larger playground and more play space.

School Response: The new building plans will not increase the quantity of play space but will improve the quality of the spaces including landscaping and additional play equipment.  

3. Preventing pupils from losing uniform

School Response: We encourage all parents to write their children’s name on their clothes or iron on a fabric label. Left uniform can be found on pegs in the halls on which they are left or in the lost property box. Reception classes have their own lost property box. 

4.  Changes to the teacher feedback during parents evening (less academic, more long term ambitions) or further structure to teacher’s feedback.

School Response: We will be asking all parents for your feedback on this topic following parents evening this term.. 

5. Provide Secondary Transition support to parents in year 5 and Year 4.

School Response: We agree that this is an excellent idea and a secondary transfer meeting will take place later this term for year 5  -dates to follow. 

6. Improved communication from the Governing Body in relation to Foundation Status. T

Children And Families Committee Response: This was considered this in depth. They concluded that there was a full and statutory consultation period including meetings for parents and the local community. The committee agree  the initial letter to parents was not clear and this unduly raised concerns. The committee felt that the governing body had learnt from the consultation experience and the Governing Body has a focus on communication this year. 

7. More emails and text alerts rather than paper letters.

School Response: We have increased the use of emails and texts this year. We are also exploring how to send letters electronically which request parent consent. 

8. A concern that some teaching assistants are not as positive as others.

School Response: All the teaching assistants enjoy working with children and are providing a good or in many cases outstanding contribution to pupil progress and enjoyment of school. Each teaching assistant receives rigorous appraisal on al aspects of their role. Parents can feedback on any individual teaching assistant at any time via my direct email headteacher@charlesdickens.southwark.sch.uk

9. A request for PTA meetings in the evenings

School Response: this request has been forwarded to the PTA chair.

10. Ensuring that any consequences for inappropriate behaviour of 1 pupil do not lead to an entire class missing playtime

School Response:  On the rare occasion when a class does not move around the school silently, the whole class will practice this, This will include all pupils including those who managed the appropriate behaviour first time. 

There were also 2 suggestions which related to meeting the needs of particular pupils. If this was your concern, please do get in touch with the school office to make an appointment.

Also within the survey, were questions and answers, Within each set of answers to the questions, I have included where appropriate response from myself or the Children and Families Committee.There were two negative survey responses and these provide the negative responses throughout the survey. Mrs Buchanan has met with one of the two parents  ( the other was anonymous) to understand the negative response and to ensure the school learns from this feedback.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We always welcome your feedback and involvement in ensuring that our school remains a happy, safe and fun centre of excellence.

Mrs Buchanan.

My child is happy at this school

Strong disagreeing are 2 parents. Following a meeting with the Headteacher, one of these parents now feels their child is happy at the school. The other response was anonymous.

My child feels safe at this school

Strongly disagreeing are 2 parents who also strongly disagreed with question 1. Disagreeing are 3 parents. If this was your response, please do contact the school office or Mrs Buchanan directly to discuss your concerns. 

My child makes good progress at this school

1 parent disagreeing and 1 parent strongly disagreeing.

My child is well looked after at this school

1 parent disagreed and 4 parents stated that they didn’t know

My child is taught well at this school

3 parents stated that they did not know.

My child receives appropriate homework for their age

Parents who disagreed fell into two groups. Some of these parents asked for more home learning and some asked for no or less home learning tasks. It will be difficult to please everyone’s preferences however children report that they enjoy home learning , especially the creative projects.

This school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

Those disagreeing are as question 1 and 2. Those parents who were unsure included some Reception parents but also a parent in Year 3/4.

This school deals effectively with bullying

The parents stating that they did not know were in Key Stage 1 and EYFS. Hopefully this is due to the very rare incidence of bullying in the school. However, the school leadership have recently included an information section on anti-bullying in the school newsletter. The school also celebrates positive friendship in ‘Friendship Week’ where pupils do learn and create lovely relationships with other pupils of all ages. These weeks are also an opportunity to discuss what bullying is and how the school will support children who feel that they are being bullied. During the Spring Term friendship week, we will share children’s learning on keeping safe from bullying, including online and from peers outside of school.

This school is well led and managed

1 parent disagreed on this as they did on all areas. 5 parents stated that they did not know. I parent felt that the governing body could have managed the process of conversion to a  Foundation school with more skill and better communication to parents. The Children and Families Committee have accepted that this is the opinion of some parents and are working on ways to further improve communication to and from parents.

This school responds well to any concerns I raise

4 parents disagreed – I  have met with 3 of the 4 parents and there relate to moving sports day due to rain, adequate provision for a pupil with additional needs and frustration about the distribution of after school club places. All these parents have no ongoing concerns.

I receive valuable information from the school about my child’s progress

2 parents disagreed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

1 parent disagreed.

The school newsletter, website and blogs give me the information I need about the school

1 parent disagreed.

I would know how to communicate a question or comment to the school

1 parent disagreed.