Parent and Pupil Survey Data Information for Parents and Carers

1. Pupil Survey Data May 2014 Results March 2013 Results Howbridge Infant School Parent and Pupil Survey Data Information for Parents and Carers The purpose of this guide is to communicate to parents the results of the recent parent and pupil surveys linked to different aspects of school life.

2. Survey Characteristics Are there aspects of your child’s learning that you would like to have more knowledge or information about? If so which areas in particular? Number of Surveys completed = 33 Year Group representation EYFS 14 responses Year 1 13 responses Year 2 10 responses Replies from parents with children in more than one year group 4 More details of what your child is learning? Detailed information on class topics is published on the school website in each class page. Parents will be able to see photographs of their children performing various activities both in and outside the classroom. Each class publishes their year group newsletters and other pertinent information relating to their class. Celebration assemblies are also opportunities for parents to see the learning that has taken place within the classroom. Parents are able to look at their child’s work prior to viewing the assembly. Details of method of teaching used to be able to support at home? Teachers hold phonics and maths workshops to share methods of teaching with parents so that they are able to support their child’s learning at home. These sessions demonstrate the types of resources used in the classroom and the teaching techniques applied by the teacher. Details of termly targets, levels and expectations? Parents evenings are opportunities for teachers and parents to discuss your child’s progress and next step targets. Targets for reading can be found in the front cover of your child’s reading record book. Targets for writing and maths are located in the front page of your child’s literacy or maths books. Parents receive an annual school report in July which details the levels of attainment for speaking and listening, reading, writing, maths and science. Early Years parents will receive information linked to attainment across all areas of learning. From September parents will receive information termly detailing their child's attainment in the core subjects, and their next steps. How can we help parents be more involved with their children’s experiences and learning within school? Newsletters are popular particularly the information relating to the activities taking place in the following week. Parents would like to see medium and long term curriculum plans. Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2 curriculum maps are available to view. These can be found by following the link below to the school website. http://www.howbridge-inf.essex.sch.uk/Curriculum.html Parents commented that they would like more opportunities to be able to come into classrooms to be involved in their child’s learning. There were several responses in relation to the reading record books, using them as a home school liaison support tool. Where possible teachers and learning support staff will check reading record books and respond appropriately and in a timely manner.

3. How would you prefer to receive this information? What time would you prefer workshops to be held? Newsletters 25 Open mornings and afternoons 13 More workshops for parents 15 On the school website 12 Other Email 5 Facebook 1 Whiteboards 1 Letters 1 Many parents commented that they would like a mixture of the above methods. 9.15 am16 2.30 pm11 6.00 pm20 Other times 1 Do you have any other suggestions of ways we could support you to become more involved in your child’s learning at school? Activity sheets As an infant school we feel that the child learn better through practical activities whilst at home and activity/worksheets are not always the best learning tool . Advance warning of events to facilitate childcare In September we issue a list of diary dates to parents and these are also published on the school website. The booklet contains details of key events and activities that will take place through the coming academic year. Where possible we try to give parents as much notice as we can however sometimes this is out of our control. More parent/child afternoons/information drop in sessions We are always looking at ways of involving our parents in their child’s learning and will look to incorporate more opportunities in the next academic year. Respond to comments in reading record books Teachers and Learning Support staff regularly check reading record books. Teachers will endeavour to respond to comments as soon as they are able to. More transparency of goals and achievements – promoting ownership Teachers will be providing parents with termly targets and information on their child’s progress so that parents are kept informed throughout the academic year of their child’s attainment. Twitter and Facebook posting The school policy is not to use Facebook as a means of communications with parents. However we do have a twitter account @hiswitham. Parents can follow us on twitter where we communicate key school information and reminders of events/activities. If you are not on twitter you can find the posts on the school website. General diary for comments We ask parents to communicate through the reading record book or by talking to the class teacher at the classroom door. If you would like workshops to share information on how you can support your child, what areas would you like? Assessment13 Reading15 Phonics10 Writing17 Numeracy 17 Behaviour 5 SEN 0 Speech and Language 7 Setting Expectations 1

4. Do you have any other suggestions of ways we could support you to become more involved in your child’s learning at school? Universal Free School Meals We conducted a survey with parents regarding the introduction of universal free school meals for all infant children in September 2014. Number of responses 97 Value for Money Quality of Food Good 50 Good 43 Adequate 35 Adequate 22 Poor 2 Poor 1 Don’t Know 10 Don’t Know 31 Variety Healthiness Good 59 Good 42 Adequate30 Adequate 40 Poor 2 Poor 6 Don’t Know 6 Don’t Know 9 Menu Information Overall Impression Good 60 Good 57 Adequate23 Adequate 30 Poor 6 Poor 3 Don’t Know 8 Don’t Know 7 Is there enough information Yes 84 No 13 Knowing the ingredients Nutritional Content Very Important23 Very Important 25 Not Very Important19 Not Very Important 15 Important43 Important 47 Not Important12 Not Important 10 Introduction of Theme Days Very Important 12 Not Very Important 34 Important37 Not Important 14 Will you take up free school meals? Yes 86 No 9 Unsure 2 After School Clubs for Parents and Children to attend togetherOur lunchtime clubs are extremely popular with our pupils. At the moment we have no plans to introduce activities/events for parents and children after school. This is due to a shortage of space as we operate a before and after school club and also many sporting events for pupils. Homework Recommendations are that key stage 1 children read for 15 minutes each day . We provide library books, bug club and a class reading book to facilitate this. We provide parents with activities that they can do at home to support their child’s learning. These are published on the year group newsletters each week. In Year 1 and 2 the children have been working towards their times table challenge. This is something we would encourage children to practice at home. Children can achieve a bronze, silver and gold sticker for challenges linked to their times tables. Please speak to your child or your class teacher if you need further details. Some children will have been given spellings to learn in years 1 and 2. Parents can support their child by practicing these at home. Holiday/Weekend Bears Classes have opportunities to show and tell . Children can talk about special events they have attended, or activities they have enjoyed in the holidays. Children can bring in items to support their discussion,, for example a diary of things they have done, booklets or brochures from days out. Individual class teachers may have class mascots and arrange for these to come home with children. This is very much an individual class teachers decision.