Leighterton Primary School

School Questionnaire Analysis

January 2012

Dear Parents

Thank you very much for taking the time to complete and return the questionnaire sent out last term. We had a good response (51% of questionnaires were returned) and the governors and staff have now had time to examine and discuss the results and the comments made.

We have attached a copy of the results. As you will see, there is an overwhelmingly positive response to nearly all the questions. We were delighted that 100% of parents agreed that their child likes school, is kept safe and is helped to have a healthy lifestyle. However, we acknowledge that there are areas that could be improved and we would like to take this opportunity to address some of those.

Feedback to Parents

The school has two formal parent evenings each year and each child will receive a written report at the end of each year. During the year, you are always welcome to come in and speak to your child’s teacher about any aspect of school life. For smaller matters, you are always welcome to pop in to see your child’s teacher before or after school. However, if you require a longer appointment, please speak to the class teacher to arrange a convenient time. Please do not wait until parents evening to discuss anything that is causing you concern. The teachers will also follow the same procedure – we will contact you if we feel we cannot wait until parents evening.

Homework

Children throughout the school are expected to do regular reading practice with a parent/carer. In KS1 (infants), the main focus for homework is reading.
In KS2 (juniors), as well as daily reading, the homework schedule is set out by the class teacher in the class newsletter which is sent out at the beginning of each term. Homework is any one of a number of activities including: daily reading for all pupils from Year R to Y6 no matter what their level of ability, spellings, learning of times tables, researching a topic, worksheets to consolidate the work they have been doing in class.
The subject of homework does divide the parent community as some of our families would prefer more, some less and some no homework at all. We do endeavour to take a balanced approach, recognising that homework is part of the transition as we prepare children for secondary school.

Behaviour

The staff and governors have recently reviewed our Behaviour Policy. A copy of this can be found on the school website. If you are unsure of the procedures we follow at Leighterton please do have a look at the policy. Any concerns about behaviour, should be discussed, in the first instance, with your child’s teacher as soon as possible. I think it is worth noting that the overall behaviour of pupils at Leighterton is excellent and this is often commented upon by outside visitors, Ofsted, outside trainers and our own staff and pupils.

Preparing children for the future

Moving Classes

– All children spend time with their new teacher at the end of the summer term. The parents of Reception children will receive a letter, towards the end of the summer term, detailing the class their child will be in during Year 1. And this year the date has been brought forward to July 9th.
We are also planning to hold a short meeting at the end of the summer term for Y2 parents whose children who are moving to Class 3.

Changing Schools

– Provision is made for all Year 6 children to spend time in their chosen secondary school. It would be inappropriate for us to suggest which schools our Year 6 pupils should attend. However, we are producing a list of schools that past pupils from Leighterton have since moved on to. (This will be available from the school office from March 2012.) All of the schools listed have regular open days for parents and children to attend together. For those happening during the school day, we are happy for children to attend as many of these as they feel necessary.

Breakfast Club

We continue to ask the parents from time to time if they would like Leighterton to provide this service. As in the past the demand does not yet make it a viable financial option.

Suggestions and Concerns

We would like to reassure you that we are always happy to listen to your suggestions and concerns. Specific concerns regarding your child should always be discussed, in the first instance, with your child’s class teacher.
We always welcome suggestions that can help improve any aspect of school life but we cannot guarantee that every suggestion will be acted upon. However, we will always give each suggestion careful consideration and endeavour to inform you of any decision made.

We hope this information helps to address some of the matters raised in the questionnaire. Thank you once again to all the families that took the time to respond to our questionnaire.

Mrs Kiss, Staff and Governors

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