Working with SJV’s Parents
At St John Vianney School we are working hard to develop ways in which we can involve parents in their children’s learning and to make parents feel a part of the school.
Our Aims:
- To communicate fully with parents to ensure that we all (parents, children, staff) have the same purpose in mind – the needs, development and progress of our children and young people.
- To involve parents fully in school life and the school community.
- To develop the best possible two-way communication between staff and parents.
- To work in close co-operation with parents in order to ensure high standards of care and academic achievement for all of our children and young people.
- To provide an environment inclusive for all parents and their children, regardless of need, background or culture.
A welcoming and friendly environment for parents, carers and visitors:
Parents are welcomed into the school at mutually convenient times, to learn more about their children’s progress and to celebrate their successes. There are numerous opportunities throughout the year (both formal and informal) to meet together and get to know each other.
Formal
- Induction meetings for parents of children starting their school life at St John Vianney RC School.
- A Welcome Evening each September to secure effective transition to the new academic year for every child.
- Parent’s Evenings to provide parents with up-to-date information on their children’s progress and set targets.
- Letters to parents to inform them of their child’s progress.
- Yearly reviews of children and young people with an EHCP.
- Individual meetings with a range of staff e.g. our Family Liaison Officer, the Safeguarding team, SENCO, Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, class teacher as appropriate to provide support and address any areas of concern.
- Celebration Masses and assemblies
- Fundraising activities
Informal
- Assemblies.
- Christmas Fair and the Christmas Production
- Parents accompanying children on educational visits.
- Parents attending themed sessions to look at the learning taking place in their child’s classroom
- Family learning events eg. CITC cookery sessions
- Fundraising events eg Macmillan Coffee mornings
Communication systems:
Currently, parents receive regular updates from the school including:
- Weekly newsletters and information letters
- Annual Progress Reports at the end of the academic year
- Interim progress reports twice yearly
- Regularly updated website information, Twitter feeds
- Home School Agreement
- Email and Text messaging service
- School questionnaires for parents regarding the provision provided
Opportunities and support for parents:
The school seeks to ensure all groups of parents/carers connected with the school are aware of training and enrichment opportunities available in the school and in the community;
- Offering a wide range of bespoke SEND related courses.
- Signposting parents to adult learning courses in other venues eg local children’s centres and local offer.
- Offering leaflets and guidance on specific areas of the curriculum, eg. reading to enable parents to support children at home.
- Supporting attendance and punctuality
- Safeguarding and Online safety information
- Providing support and advice through the Family Liaison Officer
- Providing support and advice through the School Nurse
Policies:
We seek to ensure that all relevant school policies are effective and easy to read by parents. Key policies are available on our website and we are able to support parents, by providing hard copies of policies and discussing our policies with parents if they would like further information.
Transition:
We aim to provide support and resources to help parents make informed decisions about choices and transitions to our school and beyond SJV. This support is provided through our Admissions work led by our SENCo.
Home/School Partnership:
At St John Vianney we believe that a strong home/school partnership is key to children’s emotional development, progress and growth as part of the School community. We encourage parents to support their children’s learning at home in a variety of ways, including:
- jointly signing the Home/School agreement
- reading with children as often as possible
- visiting the library together
- encouraging children to complete and return promptly any homework they have been given
- communicating directly with the teacher or the school staff, if they have any concerns regarding their children’s learning or behaviour at school or at home.
Parental Feedback:
The school will regularly seek parental views on a range of topics affecting pupils’ education through questionnaires, surveys and verbal discussion. Feedback is valued, and responses are seriously considered, appropriate action taken and this is communicated back to parents.
Parents may request a hard copy transcript of our Website information.
