Parent voice at the academy
We constantly strive to collect feedback from all stakeholders within the academy community. Parent’s views are very important to us at HodgsonAcademy. Outlined below are some of the methods we have used to collect the views of our parents and carers over recent months.
Parent Forum
We want to forge even closer links with parents and carers. If you want something we don’t offer, come to our Parent Forum and help change things for the better.The Parent Forum is an informal meeting – open to all parents and carers – and participants are able to contribute to the development of new policies and procedures that affect the whole academy. The forum is designed for idea-sharing in a range of topics and we would like as many parents as possible to become involved to give a cross-section of opinions.
Everyone involved is also able to review any schemes or projects we run at Hodgson. Those present have been able to pinpoint where they feel changes or improvements are needed. Here are just a few of the good suggestions put forward at Parent Forums staged this academic year:
* Year 7 exams will no longer be set straight after a holiday, following a concern raised at last September’s Parent Forum.
* The academy is to explore alternative ways of issuing revision guides, including email, post, Moodle and via the website, up to three weeks prior to assessment week.
* One parent highlighted how the Learning Resource Centre Assistants weren’t being given stickers for their student planners as part of the PAUSE + rewards system. As a result, several other extra-curricular subjects were found to also need new stickers, including peripatetic music.
* There was a concern expressed that the academy gives no advance warning as to when the Learning Resource Centre is closed before/after school to students. A new advance warning system has been set up as a result, with any closures posted on to the home page of Hodgson’s website on a weekly basis.
* The academy is considering a suggestion for an award badge scheme for the top students in each year group for PAUSE + points.
* Parents felt that the academy should be providing information on careers and voluntary work for younger students (in Key Stage 3) through a variety of means. The academy website is to be updated to signpost careers advice.
* The academy is to explore giving a handout to further explain target setting at the next KS3 STEPS Evening and to provide more information on the website.
* Parents suggested that there should be more options open for parents to be able to make comments or suggestions, in addition to the Parent Forum. As a result, a suggestion box is going to be placed in reception on future Student Review Evenings. A senior member of staff will also be available on these nights to take any questions or suggestions from parents.
All parents are welcome to the next meeting of the Parent Forum – the more the merrier to ensure we get as wide a cross-section of opinions as possible. The next meeting is on Wednesday 20th June 2012, 7.30pm (the meeting earmarked for Wednesday 9th May has been cancelled). This will include a presentation on the final draft of the Academy Plan 2012/13.
Quotes:
“The Parent forum has really allowed me to have my voice heard.”
“I feel totally listened to and my opinions about Hodgson are respected.”
“After attending meetings, I now feel more confident in supporting my child through school”
Student Review Evenings
During our student review evenings we ask parents to complete a questionnaire and hand it in before they leave. Outlined below you can see the overall responses that we have received from the past three review evenings.
Question No / % Strong Agree / Agree / Total No of Forms1 My daughter/son enjoys school / 97 / 157
2 My daughter/son enjoys their lessons / 97 / 157
3 My daughter/son is making good progress / 95 / 157
4 My daughter/son has settled into this year at Hodgson / 97 / 157
5 My daughter/son feels safe at school / 97 / 157
6 I am kept well informed about how my daughter/son is getting on / 92 / 157
7 I feel comfortable about approaching the school with questions or concerns / 95 / 157
8 Staff expect my daughter/son to work had and do his/her best / 99 / 157
9 The school seeks the views of parents and takes account of their suggestions and concerns / 86 / 157
10 Staff encourage my daughter/son to become mature and independent / 97 / 157
11 Do you feel the homework your daughter/son does is valued? / 91 / 157
12 This evenings consultation process was worthwhile / 94 / 157
13 I like the manner in which teachers conduct Progress interviews with my daughter/son / 97 / 157
14 My daughter/son is still happy with the choices they made in the options process / 87 / 157
15 My daughter/son has adjusted well into her/his GCSE courses / 68 / 75
16 Overall I am happy with my daughter/son's experience at Hodgson / 91 / 75
(Results taken from Year 10, 9 and 7 Review Evenings)
Don’t forget during all our Student Review Evenings that a member of the Senior Leadership Team will be on hand to listen to any ideas or concerns you have about the academy.
Learning Gateway
Don’t forget to check the Learning Gateway regularly as you will find surveys to complete, plus examples of students’ work to view. Don’t forget the Learning Gateway offers our parents’ real time information about student life at the academy on a round the clock basis, 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. The Learning Gateway provides you with information on your child’s attendance, achievement records, behaviour records, timetable and other personal information. If you require more information about the Learning Gateway please email;
Take Your Work Home Weeks
All students in Years 7,8 and 9 will now have one week during the academy year when they will take home all the work they have completed in all lessons so far. Your child will then complete a ‘show and tell activity’ each night, talking you through their work. We then ask you to complete a short questionnaire giving us your views of your child’s work. Year 7 was the first year group to complete this initiative and the feedback from parents was extremely positive. 98% of returned questionnaires showed a positive response. Well done Year 7!
Year 7 - I am happy with my child’s workSubject / %
English / 98
Maths / 95
Science / 96
R.E / 99
DT / 100
MFL / 98
History / 99
Geography / 100
ICT / 97
Art / 98
P.E. / 100
Music / 91
Drama / 86
“I am really pleased with the work my daughter has been completing.”
“It was lovely to see the work in all subjects in one lesson.”
“I am now able to talk to my son about the work he is completing in school which is good”
Results for Year 8 and 9 Take Work Home Weeks will be published in the next publication of the Hodgson Highlight. Year 8 will took their work homeduring the week beginning 19th Marchand Year 9 will take their work home in May.
As you can see,the feedback you give us as an academy is really beneficial in ensuring we continue to provide all students with a full, well-rounded education. Just like our academy moto states:‘Learning for the Future’.
We are here to help
Any problems at all please get in touch; the more quickly the problem can be resolved the better. You may contact the academy using parent email, a letter sent with a student or via a telephone call. In case of your child’s absence you may leave a message on the absence line. If you wish to email Hodgson, the parents’ email address is:
Who should you contact?
For day to day issues: Progress Tutor or Pastoral Support Officers
Absence: Student Services Officer
Learning Support: Level 4 Teaching Assistant Mrs Fox
Serious Concerns: Student Progress Co-ordinator
Please join us, find out more and add your ideas to the pot. If you would like more information please contact:
Mr Kearns -