3rd July 2008: Minutes of meeting
Present: Liz Wombwell (EW) (Head), Tara Gold, Annette Hooper, Alison Elson (Governor), Anna Tarrant, Caroline Coveney, Vicky Hayden, Fiona Chavasse
1. Welcome
Everyone was welcomed to the Parents’ Forum meeting and thanked for their time and interest. EW explained that the Parents Forum was there to give parents a chance to bring things up with Headteacher and Governors e.g. new ideas, what happens at school, how the school is run and what we could be doing etc. This was not the place for individual queries.
2. Matters arising from the last meeting
Recorder Club – Year 1 are currently having a 6 week trial. EW liaising with Surrey Arts with regards to Year 2 continuing. Year 1 will get a taster and then have the option to continue in year 2.
Breakfast Club – Almost there.
3. Parents’ Matters
School Council – EW stated that children in Years 1 and 2 are voted by the class at least twice a year and Reception children are chosen by the teachers. Governors are always looking for appropriate things for the children to be involved in. The school council met with the Ofsted Inspector. EW discussed with the Ofsted Inspector the need for more space/kitchen space.
AT asked whether there had been any further discussion with regards to the strip of land beyond the fence. EW replied there had been none recently.
4. School Matters
Results of questionnaire – EW reported that no major issues came out of the questionnaire although homework and feedback came up a few times. EW informed the group that the homework policy was due for review in October.
AT stated that she was unsure when and what level homework would come in years 1 and 2. TG agreed. AT said it was good if consistent as you will then know what level your child is at. EW informed parents that year 1 will have homework books for maths. TG asked if helping your child at home, how much help do you actually give them? EW said staff will concentrate on maths homework coming out regularly. TG asked whether it would help seeing spelling test results. EW said that year 1 will send home spelling test books every ½ term. EW continued by saying she is not as worried about tests, but how the words are used. In year 2, the books go home each week. AE added that there are different sheets for different groups. TG felt that there is quite a lot of literacy, spellings, sentences and home readers and that there was a need for more numeracy. EW said it was difficult to always get the pitch right but the maths bags had been effective. TG said there should be more activity sheets relating to maths bags. CC thought everyone had maths bags. EW stated these were optional in years 1 and 2 now. From September classes will have somewhere in the classroom that you can pick up extra work sheets for numeracy that are related to the maths bags. AT asked if the maths bags could be had over the summer holidays. EW said that taking bags in an accounting for them was difficult. AE continued stating the school is looking at running parents sessions to show how literacy and numeracy are taught, focussing on one area at a time through the year. FC thought this was a good idea and said there was a need for this to be reiterated through the year. EW reminded the group there would be autumn curriculum evenings but agreed something else may be needed. The school is looking at science across the school and the science curriculum as part of the school development plan next year. TG said the maths curriculum evening held at the beginning of year 1 last year was very useful. AH needed some clarity when homework has to be handed in.
Effective Communication – EW informed the forum that e-mailing of letters was being trialled in Ladybirds and has been very successful. Almost all new reception parents had registered their email addresses. Hope to have them across the board next year and hoping to bring in returns by e-mail in a couple of years time. AH asked on the progress of the website. EW stated it should be ready for launch sometime next week. In order to keep website up to date, PTA section needs constant updating. AH said she would be happy to do the PTA section, and would speak to Lucinda. TG said parents needed more notice when help was being requested and Parents evening notes came out rather late. EW apologised and would make sure more notice is given.
5. AOB
FC asked if there were any reason why children in reception did not need aprons. EW stated these were provided by the school and will check with staff how clean these are.
AH stated the children were leaving class late at the end of the day. EW will discuss this with staff.
Next Meeting
Thursday 26th September with PTA AGM and Governors