North Newton Community Primary School

Parent Survey Results – May 2016. 44 (67%) Returns (63 families)

“TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE”

Percentages rounded to nearest whole number. / strongly agree / agree / disagree / strongly disagree / don’t know
1 / My child likes coming to our school and feels safe. / 38 86% / 6 14% / 0 / 0 / 0
2 / My child is making good progress at our school, works hard and enjoys the challenges of the activities set by teachers. / 33 75% / 11 25% / 0 / 0 / 0
3 / My child is well looked after at our school and is able to enjoy a wide range of provision. / 38 86% / 6 14% / 0 / 0 / 0
4 / My child receives appropriate homework for their age. / 22 50% / 19 43% / 3 7% / 0 / 0
5 / School has a good balance of security – good enough to keep my child safe, but not too much so it feels unwelcoming. / 36 82% / 8 18% / 0 / 0 / 0
6 / I am kept well informed about my child’s progress through parents’ evenings, reports (& Hedgehogs / Foxes home school books). / 29 66% / 15 34% / 0 / 0 / 0
7 / I feel comfortable approaching staff to discuss about my child if I have questions or require clarification about something. / 33 75% / 10 23% / 1 2% / 0 / 0
8 / This school deals effectively with unacceptable behaviour. / 27 62% / 8 18% / 0 / 0 / 9 20%
9 / The school works hard to ensure its pupils are well behaved and set good examples to others. / 35 80% / 8 18% / 0 / 0 / 1 2%
10 / My child is encouraged to be healthy and take regular exercise. / 30 68% / 13 30% / 1 2% / 0 / 0
11 / My child uses online programmes at home – Bug Club (KS1), Sum Dog & Languagenut (French). / 26 59% / 15 34% / 3 7% / 0 / 0
12 / Communication through email, letters, text, Newsletters, calls, Facebook, display boards, is at least good. / 37 84% / 7 16% / 0 / 0 / 0
13 / There is a good range of opportunities and provision including Breakfast Club, clubs (24 across the year!), trips, visits & sport. / 37 84% / 7 16% / 0 / 0 / 0
14 / I know most of our Governors and consider the overall management of the school to be good and is child-centred. / 25 57% / 13 30% / 4 9% / 0 / 2 5%
15 / I would recommend others to send their children to our school. / 38 86% / 6 14% / 0 / 0 / 0

Positive Comments

·  We consider our child to be very lucky to be part of such a well-balanced school and are looking forward to our son experiencing the same experiences in September. Thank you.

·  Lovely school, but I feel at times some communication isn’t clear enough and it is assumed new parents ‘just know’ (eg Music Evening) However, I am thrilled my child is in such a wonderful school.

·  Agree my child is making good progress – but can’t say he enjoys the challenge though.

·  I don’t know all Governors well, but school management is excellent.

·  Fantastic that we have a Breakfast Club!

·  Very impressed by the school so far.

·  Strongly agree with the latter (school is child-centred), but I don’t know the Governors yet.

·  Very pleased with the school, my child loves school and is doing really well. My child’s teacher is good and very easy to talk to. I like the fact my child has been challenged with his reading from their first day at school.

Comments to Evaluate & School Replies

·  Homework:

o  My children get too much (spellings, reading every night & homework/phonics books) I don’t agree with kids being given homework in holidays.

o  Sometimes it is easy and my child flies through it.

o  I think my child gets too much homework.

o  I don’t believe holidays and half term are for extra work and children also need to play! Look at Finland, if only our education system could be like this!!

§  Always tricky to gain the right balance for every family – some wish for more, some less. Please make an appointment with your class teacher to discuss your concern – I have spoken with each teacher about this issue to quell further concerns.

§  Holiday homework has always been optional and those who complete it are rightly rewarded.

§  Reading is an essential part of learning and developing, and a time for parents to spend quality time with their child.

·  Nutrition / Hot School Meals / Breakfast Club:

o  Agree with exercise but not on nutrition.

o  Doubts about Taylor Shaw meals and Breakfast Cereals are limited.

o  Too much sugar used in breakfast club.

o  I feel these totally let the school down and aren’t promoting the school’s healthy eating approach. They are not improving either!

§  Sugar has been removed from the Breakfast table.

§  We are restricted by the range of cereals due to the Allergens Legislation. Daily children have a choice of: 5 cereals, toast (white & wholemeal mix), porridge, baked beans, spaghetti, waffles (Fridays only) and often fruit. Drinks: Milk, water and 5 ‘No added sugar’ squash drinks.

§  Parents will be invited in to view the meals, as well as able to see photographs of meals taken.

·  Home learning / Using Apps:

o  We don’t use App / web based programmes at home as not keen on Bug Club.

o  We don’t use these Apps as much as we should.

o  We rarely have time due to clubs after school, reading and homework.

§  All Home Learning apps are optional to use, but they can help children in their learning.

§  They are a cost to the school so will be lost if not used, but at present, the vast majority appear to access them at home.

·  Sometimes, but not always informed with my child’s progress.

§  Through the year, we have Meet the Teacher, 2 Parent Consultation Evenings and a formal report.

§  Parents are always welcome to make an appointment with any class teacher to discuss progress in school, and be offered ideas to help at home.

·  Speech & Drama should be an after school provision and not during school time.

§  With so many children enjoying this provision this is not possible in 2 after school clubs – Mr Kirby teaches elsewhere on all other days.

§  Children are taught on a rotation so no child misses the same class session each week.

·  Would be great for Forest School to continue as a club – my child loved this in Reception.

§  We have been trying to achieve since I arrived, but we are unable to proceed at present due to financial restrictions only.

·  After school care / provision would be helpful.

§  We have considered this before, but take-up would not make it financially viable.

§  There is a successful after school care provision locally already, as well as many clubs throughout the year.

·  After School KS1 cricket club missed again.

§  KS1 have summer term multi-skills which includes cricket, tennis and rounders.

§  There is also a local cricket club in the village who run a weekly club.

·  I couldn’t name many of the Governors / Couldn’t name all the Governors, but I know I could find out if needed.

§  We are fortunate we have Governors who are active members of our school, however it is not clear who they are.

§  There are photos on our website and a photo board in the entrance foyer.

May I take this opportunity to thank all those who took the time to complete and return the annual survey.

We continue to work hard to ensure the provision your child/ren is/are receiving is as good as it can be.

I am in a fortunate position when I visit and compare other provision and initiatives in different schools, I gain a real sense of pride and am pleased with what our school provides for all our children. We continue to strive for further improvement.

Kind regards

Nick Arnold

Headteacher

Parent Survey Summer Term 2016