Milestones to Success

“I don’t want one!” Time issues – how long will it take? How much extra work will be created? Will it work? Improved communication with parents Embedding basic skills using the VLE Our expectations/concerns

School news, information & events Learning resources to use and support my child at home Keep track of child’s progress, assessment & learning outcomes on a regular basis Attendance Communication between home & school Understanding of what is going on in school Make my child more communicative about what she’s doing at school Better understanding of teaching methods Viewing class & homework Homework Achievements Challenging activities Good to share school life with my child Questionnaire sent to all parents November expectations

“Bring it on! A great tool that’s long overdue.” “Excellent use of the internet to keep parents in touch.” “Schools and the children lead the way with technology with parents like me dragging along behind!” “It would mean I’d have to make a conscious effort to look on the platform regularly. However this change in lifestyle is needed to help the environment.” “Individual means I would know how far to push my child in the right areas at home” It was also interesting to see some comments:

In the future, as the VLE and AFL modules are used more we anticipate parental-child collaboration and engagement will be greater SLN2 + Parents Expected date for parents: May 2010, actual date: February 2010 All parents are ‘live’ – gradual process beginning with Year 6 parents, Key Stage 1 and Early Years went live June Communication tool responding to previous parental comments about communication between home and school. All school letters on our main school page. Information about their child’s year group’s subjects & topics are accessed via the interest spaces.

Surveys Head’s Blog

Extra pages added YEAR 4 INTEREST SPACE

2 workshops per year group – rolling out to parents one year group at a time. Initial figures show roughly half of our Key Stage 2 parents are using the platform. Comments show those using the platform find it a positive experience SLN2+Parents

A parent’s point of view

How do you interest the pupils? V-Me’s!! Interest Spaces E-portfolio competition Discussions Give them ownership Empower them SLN2 + Pupils

The children have been encouraged to share what they’ve learned watching these videos More information is being put on the platform by staff to provide access to out of hours learning. PowerPoints and web links are being used to access lesson content. Embedding video into interest spaces and encouraging children to respond to these through discussions.

Engaging in cross year discussions Sharing experiences across year groups

Responding to events in school We have used discussions to get feedback on events in school. Potential use for discussions: ‘What we want to find out’ before beginning a new topic in History, Geography, Science etc. Can also use it for ‘What we’ve learned’ at end of a topic.

School Council Interest Space Minutes and discussions relating to meetings are found here Class council meetings every fortnight Children are encouraged to put comments for discussion on the Learning Platform before the meetings ready for a whole class discussion. Pupil Voice

Lauren (Y6) “The Learning Platform was a bit boring to start with but it was also frustrating because the LPC's knew everything and I didn't. I sooo wanted to be like them I wasn't learning properly, trying to rush things so I knew more stuff! I've learned now I need to take time to learn because a learner is a Champion! (I'll be there ONE day!) P.S- Learning Platform Club is really helpful.” Pupil’s view

Year 6 : x 7 Year 5: x 6 Easily identifiable Help other pupils during first few SLN2 sessions Support peers…..and staff! Answer questions Maintain enthusiasm Have greater skills Learning Platform Champions

Initially hesitant about using it. The main worry being what’s going ‘live’ to parents. Number of dedicated staff meetings. Staff have been encouraged to develop their class/year group interest space. This is now extending to developing subject spaces sessions have helped and staff now see the potential uses of the Learning Platform and how easy it is to use. SLN2 + Staff

All relevant documentation including: policies safeguarding CPD SIP staff handbook link to staff planning calendar with all dates for the academic year Staff Room Interest Space

Large Governing Body - communication is vital. All Governors have had training - Clerk to Governors has had extra All Governors have logged on and do so regularly Public & Private Interest Spaces. Interest Spaces for each Sub-Committee. Are paperless! All communication is now via the Platform and ! Governors know when meetings are and what’s needed. Very supportive and realise the potential. Governors

The next ‘stage of development’ - huge potential for the platform in our curriculum: Blogging – reading journals, class blog telling parents what they’ve learned at school, recounting experiences, writing for a purpose/audience Discussions – guided reading sessions where children respond to questions about texts they are reading. Using a different medium to engage our reluctant writers; tackling the tricky writing AFs! Wikis – children adding information to a knowledge bank about a topic Embedding videos for discussion/starting points/homework SLN2 in the curriculum

Year 6 transition group. Ask questions about moving up to two high schools. Communicate with future peers from other primary schools. Parents are also able to ask questions and have relevant documents to hand such as uniform lists etc. Cluster Group for our area COLLABORATION is the key! Extending the Platform

“I have a dream…” All parents on the platform at least once a week Paperless communication – nearly there! All children engaging in discussions, blogging Staff using the platform to communicate far more effectively with parents Staff using the platform in lessons PTA & Kitchen communicating with parents Parents, pupils & staff working together – AfL, VLE, e-portfolio A cluster group sharing and collaborating Better links & communication with our High School My Vision

We still have a long way to go! Assessment live to parents. Our SLN2 journey will take another months before we are happy – and it will have changed by then! The potential for the platform is huge and we are only just scratching the surface. We want to do a lot but have to pace ourselves (I’m not very patient!) This academic year - lead again by example, ensuring my class are all LPCs and showing other staff what we can do with the platform in the curriculum to ensure it is a day to day part of our school. Developing AfL, VLE, Kaleidos Communicator, e-portfolios. Where next?

And finally…..