School Governing Body Partnerships and Pupil Development Committee |
The goal of this committee is to foster a pro-active partnership environment with all interested parties in the school; with the broader community and in particular with parents. |
Partnership News - FEB 2003 - Mixed Age classes and split year groups |
Why does this situation occur? As Ickford School covers 7 academic years - Reception plus Years 1 to 6 but is big enough for only 5 classes, it follows that some classes will have to include more than one year group (mixed-age classes). We also need to keep all classes roughly the same size, which would be impossible without splitting some year groups into two classes. |
Why not split years on academic ability? When a year group has to be split this is done so by age; it is the only totally objective method. Any other system could lead to claims of favouritism or bias from parents whose children were not in the 'higher' class. |
How do you make sure that children of the same year receive the same education when they are in different classes? It is important to note that we aim for equivalent teaching for a split year, not identical teaching. In every class children are divided for English and Maths into small work groups according to ability and this should allow each pupil to work at a level which is appropriate for him/her. Our learning support assistants provide further focused work with specific groups of pupils. Two teachers with a split year group split between them will liaise to ensure that the core subjects of the curriculum are being covered in the same way. Topics for other subjects, such as geography, history or art, will be different from class to class, but since these topics are studies at a depth appropriate to the age of the children (for example 'Ancient Egypt can be a topic for class 3 or class 5), the level of teaching for each year group should be the same, even if the content is not. |
Why can't you teach core subjects, like maths. and English, in year-groups across classes? Theoretically that may be desirable, but it is enormously difficult to timetable. It was an issue that was raised in the brainstorming session for our Vision for the School, so we will keep looking at the timetable to see whether it is possible in future years. In the meantime by dividing the pupils into small groups in their classes we aim to ensure that they are doing work appropriate to their abilities; in some cases children may even be working ahead of their actual school year. |
It's not fair - my child missed out on an outing taken by children in the same year group but in the next class. School trips are meant to enhance what is being taught in class, so classes studying different topics will go on different outings. We do, however, our best to ensure that all classes go on roughly the same number of trips each year. (We also try to consider the parents who are asked to pay for them!) |
Why do you move some Year 1 children up to Class 2 in January? As children join the reception class each term, we do not want Class 1 either to be too small in the Autumn Term or too large in the summer. We may, therefore, move some children up to Class 2 after Christmas to balance the numbers. This also enables us to ensure that all pupils have at least a year in Class 1 to settle into school before they move into the slightly more formal setting of Class 2. |
When my child gets to the top of the school, will they be better prepared for the 11+ if they have had two years in Class 5? No. 11+ preparation takes place only in the autumn term and only for those Year 6 children who will be taking the tests. Year 5 pupils will work on their own broad curriculum, regardless of which class they are in. |
Partnership News - September 2003 - Complaints
We hope that every child will be happily occupied and challenged during their time at Ickford, and that parents too will be happy with their experience of the school. Obviously, though, problems can occur. Knowing how to raise a concern, and whom, is very important in getting a complaint resolved as quickly and successfully as possible. The Governing Body (referred to as GB below) has approved a new formal Complaints Procedure, so we should like to share its key points with you. |
Aims and Objectives of the Procedure - The school is keen to work in partnership with parents and pupils. It will give careful consideration to all complaints and deals with them fairly and honestly. We will provide the opportunity for any complaint to be discussed fully, and aim to resolve it through open dialogue and mutual understanding. |
How to make a complaint - Most concerns are best dealt with informally. If you have any concerns about the school or your child's education, please discuss them with your child's teacher as soon as possible. |
Resolved? Yes - no further action No - Stage1 - informal complaint - If you feel a concern has not be addressed through discussion with the teacher, or if it is of a sufficiently serious nature, please make an appointment to discuss it with Mr Bozier. He will consider any complaints seriously, and most issues can be resolved at this stage. |
Resolved? Yes - no further action No - Stage 2 - formal complaint - If the matter cannot be resolved, or your complaint is about the headteacher, then you may wish to contact the Chairman of Governors (by letter or verbally) to make a formal complaint. Please state the nature of the problem, the steps taken so far, and the action you would like to see taken to remedy your concerns. the Chairman of Governors will review the way the complaint has been handled by the school and ensure that issues have been dealt with properly and fairly. He will normally write to you with the outcome of the process within 15 working days of receiving your complaint. |
Resolved? Yes - No further action No - Stage 3 formal complaint part 2 - If you are still not comfortable with the result, you may ask to refer your complaint further. In this case, the Complaints panel of the GB will meet to consider the issue and make a final decision on behalf of the GB. The panel will consist of 3 governors who have no detailed prior knowledge of the complaint, or connection with you. The meeting will normally take place within 15 working days of your request. You have the chance to submit written evidence before the meeting, and also attend part of the meeting, accompanied by a partner/friend if you wish, in order to put your case. The headteacher has the same opportunities. The panel will write to you with its conclusion within 5 working days of the meeting. Its decision is final. |
Resolved? Yes - No further Action No - If you are still unhappy your final option is to put your complaint to the Secretary of State of Education because the GB has been unable to solve the problem. We hope that no complaint will ever get this far, but we would like you to be aware of the procedures that are in place, and which you can take if necessary. The GB monitors the complaints procedure, in order to ensure that all issues are handled properly. Mr Bozier logs all formal complaints received by the school and records how they were resolved. Governors examine this log annually and consider the need for any changes to the Complaints Procedure. Finally, a copy of this Procedure is available to any parent on request. |
Partnership News - December 2003 - A Communications Guide |
Ad hoc queries - Send a note unless the mater is urgent, in which case see the teacher. What is urgent? - Something which may affect a child's performance; for example, a family bereavement or illness. What is not urgent? - A lost item of clothing or property. |
Sickness - Phone school between 8.30 & 9.00. Please phone each day your child is absent; if this is done, no note is necessary. |
Homework - It is the child's responsibility to ask the teacher if they don't understand what they have to do. If there is still a query, please write a note either in reading or homework diaries. |
Holidays during term time - Make an appointment to speak to the teacher first to explain why the holiday can't be taken during normal school holiday time. Then apply on a Leave of Absence Request Form (available from Class teacher) at least one month before the start of the holiday. Mr Bozier will decided whether or not to authorise the absence. Please not there is no entitlement and more than 10 days cannot be granted in a year. |
My child does not seem happy - Make an appointment to see the teacher, telling her/him what it is about. If a note sent via a child , please ask them to give it to their teacher - please do not simply leave it in the book pack. |
Concern about bullying - Contact the school as soon as possible by phone or in writing to arrange a meeting with the teacher. |