1. Parent Information Evenings September 2014

2. Our aims for the meeting To ensure a strong partnership between home and school. To update parents on the latest information about the school. To explain the routines and processes for your child this school year. To give parents an opportunity to meet staff and visit their child’s classroom.

3. The Leadership of our School Our Senior Leadership Team Headteacher Carol Mason Assistant Headteachers Lynda Choonpicharn – Key Stage 1 (Infants) Simone Seickell – Foundation (Nursery + Reception) Rachael Mitchell – Key Stage 2 (Juniors) Governing Body Chair of Governors – Debbie Smith

4. Key developments for this school year PRIORITY 1 - To develop a new integrated enquiry-based curriculum for Cheswick Green Primary School Our curriculum should incorporate the most successful elements of our existing curriculum with the innovation and creativity of the new Cornerstones curriculum materials whilst also ensuring full coverage of the new National Curriculum. Curriculum themes and projects should be chosen to promote pupil choice, high levels of engagement, enjoyment of learning and challenge for all pupils. An emphasis on the development of life-long learners with the school’s key values and the building of learning power will underpin all teaching and learning. Outdoor learning and the development of cultural diversity should be evident throughout studies in all year groups.

5. PRIORITY 2 - To develop our systems for assessment alongside our new curriculum Effective systems of assessment should be developed to meet all national requirements. These systems will be supported by robust baseline testing and regular moderation. Better use will be made of SIMs tracker to support pupil target setting and the evaluation of pupil progress. Feedback given to pupils will be further developed within the school to enhance pupil understanding of what they need to do to achieve expected / better than expected progress. A more flexible approach to the use of WALTs (We are learning to) and WILFs (What I am looking for) will support this.

6. PRIORITY 3 – To further enhance our partnership with parents and the wider community A range of workshop opportunities will be offered to all parents particularly in core subject areas to enable parents to actively contribute to the progress made by their child. All parents will be actively encouraged to attend workshops. The school will offer a range of delivery times, different levels of content and opportunities to work directly with their own child. Email communications will be established with as many parents as possible so that paper communications of all kinds are minimised. The school website will be completely redeveloped to be a modern, informative site which is far more representative of the school and provides useful links for parents regarding key school information and how they can support their child’s learning including homework. Blogs, diaries and calendars will all ensure up to date information is always available on the site.

7. Why is your support for your child so important? Evidence suggests that when a child sees their parents taking an interest in their schooling, they too will view education in a positive light and be more enthusiastic about learning. Your contribution and involvement will be valued and this positive partnership will have a positive affect, not only on the school, but on your child. Building a relationship between school and parents takes time. To be successful this partnership needs to be a two way process, with opportunities to exchange information and provide support.

8. How can the school show commitment to involving parents? The school can demonstrate a commitment and involve parents by ensuring that: School policies and procedures including updates are shared with parents Parents are made aware of the aims and teaching approaches of the school and how the curriculum is delivered The different background, needs and circumstances of all pupils and their families are sensitively supported Advice is given on how to help with children’s learning Regular child progress reports are provided with updates as required. Separated parents each receive communication from the school and are equally included All written and telephone enquiries are responded to quickly Parents are contacted for positive as well as negative reasons about their child.

9. How can parents show commitment to working with the school? Parents can become involved in school and their child’s education in a variety of ways. You can help by: Attending parent meetings such as this evening Joining us for parent share events and workshops Visiting the school website, reading and responding to the class Blogs Being aware of the school policies and procedures Becoming a member of the Parents’ Association and / or Governing Body. Supporting their child with their homework and making use of the home school diary to convey information to their child’s class teacher Talking with their child regularly about school Offering to support school activities by giving your time Ensuring any problems that may be affecting their child are shared confidentially with the child’s class teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

10. Research shows that parental involvement in children’s learning is a key factor in improving children’s academic attainment and achievements, as well as their overall behaviour and attendance. The role of parents during a child’s earliest years is the single biggest influence on their development. Good quality home learning contributes more to children’s intellectual and social development than parental occupation, education or income.