Parent Forum - You said, We did
Purpose
Regular, open communication and consultation is highly valued at Brierley Primary School. The parent forum aims to represent the views of all parents and to be a voice to inform our school of the needs of children and families. It facilitates communication between parents/carers and staff and governors. The forum works to provide feedback on provision, offer a parent’s perspective on current policy and practice and input into decision making and planning for future provision.
This takes place by:
- Regular communication with parents/carers
- Ensuring a diverse forum membership and representation of views from parents/carers from all backgrounds and sectors of society
- The forum is not in place to address specific concerns about an individual child or issues relating to individual members of staff.
Parents who need to discuss these issues should approach their class teacher or the Headteacher.
Main Aims
- To support and promote children’s learning
- To help the school find out what parents and carers think about important issues
- To involve parents and carers actively in school decisions
To make plans that support the ways the school wants to develop and improve outcomes for our children
Who can attend
The parent forum is made up of any parent or carer of children attending Brierley Primary School who wish to attend. A member of the senior leadership team and a where possible a representative of the governing body also attend meetings.
Meetings
Parent forum meetings are held every half term. A typical agenda includes:
- Items identified by the governing body and leadership team for discussion
- Items identified by parents and carers for discussion
Reporting
Minutes are taken and circulated to everyone who attended the meeting, preferably by email.
Parent Forum Update
Homework
You said: The amount of homework is manageable, but some children struggle with the writing element of homework.
We did: Staff will continue to monitor the amount and type of homework set to ensure it remains manageable.
You asked: Can children complete Read Theory on their phones if they don’t have laptop access?
We did: Yes! Pupils can use mobile phones, and Year 6 already do. They can also complete it during assembly time if needed.
School Lunches
You said: Portion sizes can be a bit big for the younger children, but the meals are enjoyed.
We did: We’ve shared this feedback with Aspens and will continue with the traditional menu for now.
You asked: Could children have cheese and beans together on jackets? Could soup and toasties be added? Can they try tasters before new menus? What happens to leftovers?
We did: These questions are being passed to Aspens for clarification. We’re also looking at reducing food waste – pre-ordering may help with this.
Parent Communication
You said: You don’t always get notifications on SchoolSpider and would like reminders for events.
We did: We’ll start sending a Friday reminder message with key events for the following week. The Friday ‘Shout Out’ will begin this Friday. It will notify parents and carers about key events the following week.
You said: You like the SchoolSpider app, receiving emails and seeing updates on Facebook. It would be really good if the menu could go on as a post so that we don’t have to go through our messages/emails.
We did: We’ll post the new lunch menu on Facebook once available.
You said: You love seeing what’s happening in school on Facebook.
We did: We’ll continue to share more photos and updates whenever possible. We are glad that you like it as we are aware that many children come home and don’t share things about their school day.
We’re also: Contacting SchoolSpider to check how reminders are sent and reduce duplicate notifications.
After School Clubs
You said: You’re happy with the range of clubs available.
We did: Great to hear – no changes needed right now.
Parents’ Evening
You said: You like the booking system and quieter hall rather than too many people being in the room at once.
We did: We’ll continue using this system.
You asked: Why not hold meetings in classrooms?
We did: This helps families as the appointments are in a central location, especially if they have a number of children at the school and multiple appointments. We also try and make sure that staff can monitor appointment times and try to minimise the number of appointments that over run.
You said: You love the open book evenings.
We did: We’ll continue to offer these – the next one will take place in the summer term.
Buildings and Playgrounds
You asked: What’s happening with the building work and fencing?
We shared:
- We had a long summer of works. We have waited over two years to have our roof repaired. It is still not quite finished. The roof work will hopefully be completed during October half term.
- Some of the larger fencing was damaged by the scaffolders during the summer works. This will be being replaced with metal fencing once funding allows. For now Spencer has built some temporary fencing.
- EYFS play area is due to be improved, the essential building works over the summer has delayed work and limited the finances.
- Much of the half round wooden fencing across EYFS and the artificial grass area is now weathered, Spencer will begin replacing this over the next few months.
- Inside the building, the internal damage to many of our classrooms has been repaired and redecorated following the extensive roof leaks over the past couple of years, and we are currently updating key areas of the building.
Christmas Pantomime
You asked: Why don’t we go to the theatre for the panto anymore?
We said: The Lyceum is quite costly, even at group rates. Parents found it too expensive so close to Christmas and many children do not like the pantomime, they find it too scary. We’ll hopefully continue to host performances in school instead so all children can take part and enjoy the festive fun.
Parent Forum
You asked: Please can we make the next Parent Forum meeting in the morning?
We said: So that we can reach more parents we will alternate morning and afternoon meeting times.
