Home - School Links

The importance of a positive and supportive link between home and school is well recognised. For the successful education of pupils at Bettridge School we regard it as an essential element. Every effort is made by the school to keep in close contact with families. This is primarily the responsibility of the class teacher who should be the first point of contact for any parent. All parents are asked to sign a home/school agreement when their children start school and a working partnership with parents is fostered in a number of different ways.

Home/School Diaries

All pupils are provided with a home/school diary, which goes with them on a daily basis. Teachers and teaching assistants use these to keep parents in touch with day to day activities and to note any issues of which parents may need to be aware of. Parents are encouraged to respond in the diary giving information about what the child has been doing at home so that this can form a basis for discussion between staff and child.

Day to Day Contact

Parents are encouraged to keep in touch with the school through the telephone if they are not able to visit frequently. It may not be possible to speak directly to the teacher if they are engaged in a teaching situation but a message can be left for them to return your call. If there is an urgent issue, the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher will make themselves available to take a call during the school day.

Visits to the School

We welcome parents visiting the school and are happy to arrange for you to spend time in the classroom with your child, particularly in the early years. If you call in at the school unexpectedly, you are welcome to leave a message at the school office. Informal discussion about the progress of a child between parents and teachers is encouraged but it is necessary to plan these beforehand so that classes are not disrupted. Again, if the matter is urgent, the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher will endeavour to make themselves available.

ALL VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL MUST SIGN IN FIRST AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE AND BE ISSUED WITH AN IDENTIFICATION BADGE.

Reviews and Meetings

There are frequent reviews and meetings for all parents. We appreciate the efforts made by parents to attend reviews and ask you to let us know as soon as possible if you have difficulties in attending. If possible we will try to adjust the time of the meeting. Appointments take place with a range of professionals in school and parents are encouraged to raise relevant issues directly with the interdisciplinary team working in school.

Parents’ Evenings

A Parents’ Evening is held in the Autumn term to allow parents to meet and share information with classroom staff. There are also occasional meetings to provide information to parents such as the school’s approach to Literacy or Numeracy.

Meetings with the Headteacher

The Headteacher is happy to make arrangements to talk with any parents, either in relation to their own child or over a general school issue. So that the necessary time is available, it is helpful if parents could telephone for an appointment beforehand. We are happy to supply general information to both parents if they are living apart. Requests for this service should be sent to the Head Teacher. Where there is a particular issue, it is helpful if parents could make the school aware of the legal status in regard to pupils of any parent not living in the family. The Senior Management Team of the school treats this information in confidence.

Governors’ Newsletter

Although this is no longer a requirement the Governing Body produce a newsletter about the work of the school each year. The newsletter is sent to all parents and a meeting is arranged at the end of the summer term to give parents the opportunity to ask questions about the work of the school. This meeting is usually held in conjunction with the presentation of awards to pupils and/or activities performed by pupils.

Group Meetings

From time to time the school makes arrangements to hold a meeting or series of meetings on a specific topic. This may be for parents of a particular age group or of more general interest, such as Total Communication. Suggestions of helpful topics are welcome. We are also pleased to facilitate groups of parents wishing to meet together to discuss areas of common interest. Parents who would be interested in this should contact the Headteacher.

Parent Volunteers

Parents are welcome in school as volunteers although they will not normally be working in a group with their own child. Those who have any particular skills, which they would like to offer, should contact the Deputy Headteacher.

Letters

Frequent letters are sent to all parents to keep them informed about the school. A general news Bulletin is published from time to time. We are always happy through this medium to circulate information from parents that may be useful to other families.