As parent governors we have had an opportunity to attend prize giving ceremonies, the open morning, sixth form open evening and the transition evenings this half term. Governors have been into lessons as part of the monitoring process and have reported that behaviour is outstanding and there is a high level of engagement amongst pupils. Governors have also reported that the school has worked on the curriculum over the past year and all pupils have access to a very broad range of subjects. The school is working on pupils being able to transfer knowledge from one subject to another. For example, building on knowledge learnt about the cotton trade in a geography lesson to the use of cotton in a textiles lesson.
The school continues to maintain high standards. Both parent and community governors have supported the school’s behaviour strategies this half term. There is an expectation that parents and carers are fully supportive of the school and the sanctions that it puts in place when pupils do not adhere to the behaviour policy. We need to be mindful as the adults that although your child is your world, even our own children can make mistakes and we need to work with the school, supporting the child from a variety of angles. If you do not like something that has happened, be mindful of the language that you use about the school in front of your child. It shapes their view of things when they don’t always fully understand what is going on. As parents/carers, we are the ones who have the most influence on our children, the school build on the foundations that we lay at home. If you have concerns, contact the school and seek the school’s opinion. As parent governors we ask that you are respectful when communicating with the school.
It was raised with a parent governor at a transition evening about the way anything in relation to gender was delivered at school through personal development lessons; if this raised any issues and how this was then dealt with? This is an issue that needs to be handled sensitively and professionally and we felt that it required raising as a point on its own at the Quality and Standards committee. There is a policy in terms of calling out any inappropriate behaviour for this if a student or member of staff was to say something insensitive or inappropriate. The school has a programme where all staff can record anything of note and there is also a confidential reporting system which students can use, called SHARPS. The school will raise the profile of SHARPS with pupils over the coming weeks. There are a number of focus groups in place in school and there is a member of staff who is working on issues students might raise as areas to tackle and they are then delivered through the Spirit programme. Lots of staff around school have the “speakeasy” logo on their offices or classroom doors and this marks a space where students can ask about any worries, they have about anything LGBT+ related. The personal development programmes at both KS3 and KS4 follow guidance carefully. The SRE (Sex & relationships education) Policy, which had input from parents and carers is available on the school website.
Please do continue to contact us as your parent governors on the Microsoft Forms link below:
Parent/carer communication with PARENT GOVERNORS
We would like to thank you for your support this half term and hope you have a restful week over half term.
Parent Governors, Alsager School
Mr Colin Christian, Mrs Anna Wheaver, Mr Andrew Brindley & Mr Andrew Pilbury
Dear Parent/Carer
As the end of the academic year draws near, we would like to thank all parents and carers for their support. This has been the first complete year, without lockdown disruption, for everyone in schools since 2018/19.
A few parents have contacted us about trips, particularly expressing concern over the cost of the residential trips that have been launched this year. We have shared this with the school; part of the rationale behind SPIRIT week is to ensure that all students have access to enrichment activities, regardless of cost. There are a number of trips planned for next year ranging from a geography trip to Sorrento to theatre trips. As parents we do have responsibility to manage our children’s expectations. School trips are hard work for staff, they are certainly not a holiday. If your child is unsuccessful in securing a place on a trip, please respect the school’s decision and manage their disappointment at home.
A few months ago, a group of parents met with Mrs O’Neill to discuss ways in which the school could support pupils from diverse backgrounds. One of the suggestions to record names phonetically on the register has been implemented. All staff have access to this on Sims.
At the start of the academic year the school will be holding transition evenings, where they will share key information which is relevant to each year group. You will find out about the curriculum, reporting systems and the priorities for the year. These have been recorded in the past two years but will be ‘live’ again this year. It would be great to see as many parents/carers as possible. Parent Governors will also be present, so you can all put a face to our names!
The key dates for your diary are:
Once again, thank you for all of your support this year and have a lovely summer.
Please use the link below to contact us:
Parent/carer communication with PARENT GOVERNORS
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Parent Governors, Alsager School
Mr Colin Christian, Mrs Anna Wheaver, Mr Andrew Brindley & Mr Andrew Pilbury
Dear Parent/Carer
In order to improve communication from the elected parent governors to all of our parent/carers, we will be updating you on a half termly basis, addressing points raised from governor meetings and any feedback from parents/carers. A reminder that the Microsoft Form can be found on the website under the ‘Contact’ option. The form is where parents/carers have the opportunity to communicate with the elected parent governors. A gentle reminder that it isn’t a forum to raise complaints.
A number of parents expressed disappointment that the prom was not being organised for Y11 this year. This had been discussed at the start of the academic year when the landscape around these kinds of events was uncertain and the decision was made not to have a prom to avoid any potential disappointment later. The pastoral team who organise this have been short staffed all year. The school fully understands how disappointing this is and did not make the decision lightly.
Governors are linked to faculty areas and have had the opportunity to go into lessons this half term. Behaviour around the school is excellent; there is a purposeful atmosphere and pupils are engaged in their learning. It has been a pleasure to see. Whilst walking round the school, governors commented on the use of bag racks and the school is working to improve the number of racks and making them weatherproof.
Part of our responsibility as parent governors is to be mindful of the wellbeing of all staff. Staff at Alsager School work exceptionally hard; there are over 1500 students and whilst they may not always get things right, they deserve to be treated with respect. Please be mindful of the language used in any communication.
Please continue to contact your parent governors on the link below:
Parent/carer communication with PARENT GOVERNORS
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
The Parent Governors, Alsager School
Mr Colin Christian, Mrs Anna Wheaver, Mr Andrew Brindley & Mr Andrew Pilbury
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