Parents’ Forum19 November2013

Tonight’s agenda.

• Welcome and Introductions• The concept of Parents’ Forums• Protocols• Updates on agenda items from 21 May 2013• Issues for discussion• Next steps• Date of the next forum

What is a Parents’ Forum?

• A group of parents and carers who meet once a term to discuss school-related issues.

• A Parent’s Forum provides a valuable way to listen to the ideas and concerns of families and seek their views, helping to make sure the needs of children and their families are met.

• Meetings led by school staff and governors, usually by the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors.

• A genuine opportunity for open discussion according to a pre-published agenda.

Why hold a Parents’ Forum?

• Regular, open communication and consultation with parents and carers are important elements in informing school improvement.

• This is another mechanism through which parents and carers can feed into the life and development of our school.

Sharing information.

• Parents and carers are encouraged to share information from Parents’ Forums with parents and carers of other children.

Protocols for The Parents’ Forum.• Agenda items should be tabled before the forum• The agenda for each meeting will be published in the

school’s newsletter. • Parents & carers will be asked to register their interest in

attending the next forum via parentsforum@linsladeac.co.uk • Please note that all issues, whether you raise them yourself

or on behalf of other parents/carers, should be general issues, not related to a specific child, teacher or incident.

• If you have specific concerns about your child your first point of contact should always be their form teacher/ head of year or the subject leader/head of department.

Issues for discussion.

1. Updates on discussion topics at the last forum• Behaviour Policy• Anti Bullying Policy2. School Meals

3. Values Education : • What is Values Education?• How is it in evidence currently at Linslade?• How can we take VE forwards

a) In school?b) At home?c) In our community?

Updates: Anti Bullying Policy

• This week is Anti Bullying Week: ‘The Future is Ours. Safe, Fun and Connected.’

• A new Anti Bullying Policy has been passed by the Board of Governors and is available on the School Website.

• Incidents this year:– One off incidents between pupils.– Use of mobile phone out of school.– Falling out between friendship groups/moving on.– Some early interventions in terms of potential bullying.

Linslade Anti-Bullying Film.

Updates: Behaviour Policy• A draft policy has been to staff and is under review. Key

elements include.– A behaviour ladder intended to keep incidents (and responses)

at a low level.– Guidelines for staff re: sanctions and rewards to support

consistency.– Levels of detention with guidance for activities to be conducted

during the detention.• Next steps:

– Further input by pupils via the School Council.– Final consultation with staff, parents/carers and Governors.– Implementation from January 2013.

Discussion Item 1: School Meals

At present:• Pupils have different “sittings”, organised in

year groups, on a weekly rotating basis.• Packed lunch and school meal pupils sit

separately.• Jugs of water are provided for school meal

pupils.• All produce is purchased from reputable suppliers

and we support local businesses where possible.

School Meals – Morning BreakAt morning break there are a variety of snacks available, including:• Fresh fruit• Yoghurt• Cereals• Sausage or bacon in bread rolls• Sausage rolls (pastry)• Cheese on toast• Cookies/muffins

Costs range between 25p – 80p

School Meals - Lunches• At lunch time pupils have the option of 2 meat dishes, 1

vegetarian option and jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings (cheese, tuna, beans)

• All meals come with the option of salad or vegetables• “Grab Bags” are available during the summer term

containing a sandwich, drink, yoghurt and a homemade biscuit or piece of fruit

• Desserts include:Fresh fruit, fruit crumbles, jelly, yoghurt, home made

biscuit or cake

The cost of a two-course lunch is £2.00 per day

School Meals - Drinks

A variety of drinks are on sale at break and lunch time, costing between 40p – 60p

• Yazoo – milk shakes in a variety of flavours• Water• Fruit shoots

All drinks are on the school compliance list

School Meals – Your Views!

• What do your children think of our meals?• Do you think we provide your children with

healthy meals/options?• Are we giving your children enough or too

much choice?• Are we providing value for money?

School Meals – Moving Forward

During the week beginning Monday 25 November we will be trialling a new system where all pupils will be able to sit together whether they are school dinners or packed lunches.

If this arrangement is successful and we receive positive feedback we will look to make this a permanent arrangement

Discussion item 2: Values Education.

• What is Values Education?• How is it in evidence currently at Linslade?• How can we take VE forwards

a) In school?b) At home?c) In our community?

Values Education:

Values Education provides a holistic approach to education based upon everyone in each learning community:• Aspiring towards high academic standards.• Valuing ourselves, each other and our learning environment.

This is achieved by:• All adults (school staff, parents/carers and members of the

wider community) modelling positive values.• Providing time for adults and children to reflect on their work

in order for pupils to become effective learners and good citizens.

Our Values are:Aspiration Responsibility

Appreciation Fairness

Neighbourliness Respect

Peacefulness Perseverance

Individuality Cooperation

Joyfulness Trust

Honesty Friendliness

How/where is Values Education in Evidence in School?• ‘The Spirit of Linslade’.• Assembly Programme and

our Celebration Assemblies.• Values Points.• Values Champions.• Reflecting on issues and

Behaviour for Learning.• Key topics in the curriculum.• Charity work.• Extra curricular activities –

sports/music/drama.

• Newsletter/Staff Bulletin

• Prospectus.

Families responses to Consultation Questionnaire:

How can we take Values Education forward?At School: What the School Council has told us.

• More reference in the planners.

• Our physical environment.• Movement around the

building.• Continuing to use Values

Education to underpin our ethos and practice.

Links and interactions with home?

What would you like to see?

What can parents/carers contribute?

How can we take Values Education forward?In our links and interaction with our local community?

• Links with other Values Schools.

?

What can parents and carers do to support the school?

• Ensure pupils attend regularly.• Encourage pupils to take a pride in their work –

second best is not an option!• Encourage punctuality – to school and to lessons.• Supporting reading, writing and numeracy at

home.• Maintain a balance by telling us when we get it

right ( as well as when we could do better!).• http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/

Tonight’s agenda

• Welcome and Introductions• The concept of Parents’ Forums• Protocols• Updates on agenda items from 21May 2013• Issues for discussion• Next steps

Next Forum

• Date:• Topics for discussiona) Raising Achievement Plan/School Improvement

Plan.b) Using ‘Parent/Carer Power’ to support School

Improvement.

Thank you for coming this evening!parentsforum@linsladeac.co.uk