1. Parents’ Forum 10 March 2014

2. Tonight’s agenda. Welcome and Introductions The concept of Parents’ Forums Protocols Updates on agenda items from 19 November 2013 Issues for discussion Next steps Date of the next forum

3. What is a Parents’ Forum? A group of parents and carers who meet once a term to discuss school-related issues. A Parent’s Forum provides a valuable way to listen to the ideas and concerns of families and seek their views, helping to make sure the needs of children and their families are met. Meetings led by school staff and governors, usually by the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors. A genuine opportunity for open discussion according to a pre-published agenda.

4. Why hold a Parents’ Forum? Regular, open communication and consultation with parents and carers are important elements in informing school improvement. This is another mechanism through which parents and carers can feed into the life and development of our school.

5. Sharing information. Parents and carers are encouraged to share information from Parents’ Forums with parents and carers of other children.

6. Protocols for The Parents’ Forum. Agenda items should be tabled before the forum The agenda for each meeting will be published in the school’s newsletter. Parents & carers will be asked to register their interest in attending the next forum via parentsforum@linsladeac.co.uk parentsforum@linsladeac.co.uk Please note that all issues, whether you raise them yourself or on behalf of other parents/carers, should be general issues, not related to a specific child, teacher or incident. If you have specific concerns about your child your first point of contact should always be their form teacher/ head of year or the subject leader/head of department.

7. Issues for discussion. 1. Updates on discussion topics at the last forum: School Meals Values Education 2. Engaging Parents in School Life: Using ‘Parent/Carer Power’ to support School Improvement. 3. Linslade looking back looking forward: Raising Achievement Plan/School Improvement Plan. Where are we half way through the three year plan? What are our planned next steps? Is there anything we are missing?

8. Updates: School Meals CommentsActions to date The queues are too long and food runs out if pupils are at the end of the line We have changed the queuing system to allow packed lunches and hot food pupils to eat together. Queues are monitored, but we serve ?? lunches per day. Choice may be limited towards the end of the service Portions are too smallThe portion size is based on CBC guidelines - but we are visiting other middle schools to make comparisons. No idea what the pupils are eating – Please can we have menus? These will be in place by Easter Break time snacks e.g. bacon rolls are too filling and are eaten too close to lunch. They are eaten at 10.15 a.m. and we do offer alternatives. We will consult with the children via School Council

9. Updates: School Meals CommentsActions to date Children enjoy their dinners Good! Snack choice – good range /not such a good range. We will consult with the children Value for MoneyWe are competitive with other middle schools – to increase portion size, we will need to increase prices. (Other schools charge £2.10. We charge £2.00)

10. Updates: Values Education CommentsFeedback/ Actions to date Values Education is not clearly explained or properly understood by some parents. We have alluded to this in more detail in recent newsletters e.g. introducing the ‘Thought For the Week’ and when referring to the arrival of our new logo. We will go into more detail in the next newsletter when the Values’ logo will take pride of place. Parents would like more clarification /explanation of Values Education. Inconsistency in getting Values Points/ What are Values Points given for? This was an issue but should have been overcome by the introduction of the new Behaviour Policy, which outlines the VP tariff. Bucketful of Joy: Some pupils don’t like standing up in assembly. It is true some don’t but others do and we are looking towards a culture of taking pride in positive achievement. Could pupils give Values Points to teachers?An interesting idea. We already have ‘Tutor of the Month’ in Year 8. This could be worth extending.

11. Discussion Item 1: Engaging Parents/Carers- At Present: Transition Evenings New Intake Assembly Consultation Evenings Reports Fixtures Events e.g. plays/Talent Show SATs Evenings Literacy and Numeracy Sessions Growing Pains Evenings Parents’ Forum LSPTA Walking to Church at Christmas We have our first ‘official’ volunteer in place Newsletters Emails 1:1 Meetings Staff at the gate in the morning and the evening Parental questionnaires – but only really successful in school.

12. Key Observations The relationship between school and families changes greatly during the middle school years. Children of parents who take an active interest in their education make more progress than other children. In the primary years, family influences have more effect upon children’s attainment and progress than school factors. Gains in pupil achievement stemming from parental engagement initiatives tend to be permanent. Parents’ aspirations for their children strongly predict their achievement, as does the parents’ own self-beliefs. Reading achievement is best where parents engage in activities that involve putting words into broader contexts, read to the child and listen to the child reading. In parenting it is what you do (not who you are that counts).

13. How can we engage parents & carers more effectively in learning and in school improvement as a whole?

14. Feedback from Parental Questionnaire

15. Discussion item 2: Half Way Through the Three Year Plan. Year 1: Building a culture for school improvement. Year 2: The Year of Teaching and Learning Year 3: The Year of Progress Year 4: The Year of Excellence.

16. Strategic Intentions (the next 5 years) To improve standards and outcomes for all pupils in order to become an ‘outstanding’ school based on high performance and a broad range of learning opportunities. To be the school of choice in our local area, respected by our pupils, parents/carers, local community and learning community. To enjoy an excellent reputation as a safe and caring school, where excellence in teaching and learning and high achievement are the norm and pupils enjoy ‘a whole learning experience’ in preparation for their next steps and future life. To present well –resourced facilities in order to ensure the best learning opportunities we can provide. To establish ourselves as a lead partner in uniting through-schooling in 0 – 19 education in our local area. To be a lead partner in providing joined-up services to a partnership of schools.

17. Overarching Strategy Focusing upon Teaching and Learning: Development of existing staff and ensuring new staff are at least ‘good’ practitioners and committed to the drive and ethos of our school. Succession Planning: Developing and appointing leaders at governor, senior and middle leadership levels who are committed to our drive for excellence via: - High levels of effective monitoring and quality assurance, which inform and deliver improvement - The modeling of inspirational and effective strategies for teaching and learning, which produce enjoyment of learning and outstanding outcomes for all. A commitment to relevant and effective continuing professional development for all adults within our school community. Recognising and celebrating success. Challlenging underperformance. Maintaining the incredible spirit of community that exists within our school whilst looking to extend and develop this within our local area and beyond. Developing effective partnerships with local schools and schools further afield as we continue to drive forward our pursuit for excellence.

18. Summary of targets 2013 - 14 TargetSuccess Indicators Improving the quality of teaching to improve learning outcomes  By the end of December 80% of teaching will be at least good.  By April 2014, 85% of teaching will be at least good.  By July 2014, 100% of teaching will be at least good OR plans to support improvement will be in place. Improving achievement At least:  92% of pupils will achieve L4 or above in Reading at the end of KS2 (FFTB). FFTD= 94%  87% of pupils will achieve L4 or above in Writing at the end of KS2(FFTB). FFTD = 92%  88% of pupils will achieve L4 or above in Maths at the end of KS2 (FFTB). FFTD = 92%  82% of pupils will achieve L4 or above in Reading, Writing and Maths at the end of KS2(FFTB). FFTD = 87%  63% of pupils will achieve L4b or above in Reading and Maths including a L4+ in Writing. (in line with national figures for 2013)  All groups in Year 5 will make at least 3.5 points of progress in all subjects during the year.  All groups in Year 6 will have made at least 3.5 points of progress during the year and at least 7 points of progress in all subjects since entry.  All groups in Year 7 will have made at least 4 points of progress in all subjects by the end of the year and at least 11 points of progress since entry.  All groups in Year 8 will have made at least 4 points of progress in all subjects during the year, 8 points of progress since the start of KS3 and 15 points of progress since entry to Linslade. Overall Effectiveness  We aim to be good in all four areas by July 2014: -Teaching and Learning -Achievement -Behaviour and Safety -Leadership and Management

19. What we have achieved/ are in the process of achieving. Buried the past! Established a plan for recovery based on our strengths and recognising where we need to improve. Re-discovered our positive ethos. Made key appointments – HOD English, Finance and Business Manager, Data Manager. Re-structured the management systems of the school. Middle leaders are being trained. Consulted more with families Moved Y5 back into the Y5 block. Re-structured the school day. Reviewed our consultation evenings. Reviewed how we market ourselves (prospectus – but website still needs some attention). Re-established relationships with our community – including the press. Our children are happy and feel safe We undertook a Benchmark Inspection.

20. The inspection told us we do the following well: The school cares for the children, the relationships across the school are very good. Pupils treat each other with respect and pupils are very respectful and polite to adults. Progress in Maths and Science, and in general, in foundation subjects, is good across the four year journey at Linslade. There are some examples of outstanding teaching in Music and PE The energy and drive of the Headteacher, and her knowledge of the pupils, sets a good example to both staff and pupils. The pastoral care, values education, caring ethos and a strong assembly show the school to be caring and inclusive. Literacy across the curriculum is very strong, and other subject are responding well to the initiative.

21. But what remains to be done? Raising standards and outcomes. We have set ourselves and the children challenging targets. We need to have higher expectations of the children. There needs to be more pace, stretch and challenge in lessons. Marking needs to inform next steps. Pupils need to have time to reflect on learning.

22. Discussion Points: How far does this correlate with your expectations of and aspirations for our school as we move forward? What aren’t we doing that we should be doing? What isn’t in out plan?

23. What can parents and carers do to support the school? Ensure pupils attend regularly. Encourage pupils to take a pride in their work – second best is not an option! Encourage punctuality – to school and to lessons. Supporting reading, writing and numeracy at home. Maintain a balance by telling us when we get it right ( as well as when we could do better!). http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/

25. Tonight’s agenda Welcome and Introductions The concept of Parents’ Forums Protocols Updates on agenda items from 19 November Issues for discussion Next steps

26. Next Forum Date: Wednesday June 11 Topics for discussion – Format /content of newsletter – Life after Ofsted Thank you for coming this evening! parentsforum@linsladeac.co.uk