Parents   

Everybody who works within the school cares about the children and their parents. We feel it is vital to develop an understanding partnership with parents or indeed carers. We hope that parents will grow to care for the people who work within the school and support us in every way. Our aim is a successful home-school relationship and to achieve this, parents and teachers need to co-operate fully with each other. Your child needs to feel confident that both are working together in his or her best interests.

Whilst parents are very welcome to contact the Headteacher directly many queries are easily dealt with by the class teacher. Class teachers may be contacted by the contact books, homework diaries, letter, phone calls or a quick word at the beginning or end of the day. The Headteacher will see any parents with a query, however trivial, if it is causing concern. The Headteacher tries to be available in the playground before and after school a couple of days a week. It is obviously preferable if an appointment can be made, unless matters are urgent.

Parent-Teacher Consultations

Open Evenings are held twice a year in the Autumn and Summer terms. Alternative evenings and time are given and parents may indicate suitable times. Separated and divorced parents are strongly encouraged to come together as it is unreasonable to expect teachers to give two appointments to every child with dual homes.

Reports

Written formal reports for each child are sent home annually. This usually happens in early July and is followed by an opportunity for parents to see the teacher if clarification is needed on any points. All the reports should be returned to school in the folder before the end of the Summer term. Parents are asked to sign the reports to indicate they have been read and to add any positive or developing comments. A second copy of a report will be sent to the home of the non-resident parent on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope. The report folders are kept in school until pupils leave the school.

Newsletters

During the year the school ask parents to make voluntary financial contributions for charity events and other educational extras. In Years 2-6 parents are invited to pay for up to three educational visits each year. These visits or extras can only take place if parents pay, as the school does not have additional funds to subsidise these visits. Parents support is much appreciated. 

Parental Help

Many parents take an active part in school by offering their help for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Some parents help in the library, help with swimming, cooking, art and craft, or day visits. We are most grateful to all our helpers. Parents who would like to become involved in this way are invited to contact the office manager who will pass your name to the Deputy Headteacher/Key Stage One Assistant Head, or ask your child’s teacher.

Parents Association

Our parents association is called the Tunbury School Association – hereafter called the T.S.A. All parents are automatically members and the committee is formed at its Annual General Meeting in the Autumn term. The caretaker Mr Carpenter and the Headteacher are honorary members and staff members also attend the committee meetings. The T.S.A is affiliated to the National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations.

The activities of the T.S.A. are fund raising with the added benefit of being social occasions for the children and /or adults who participate. The money raised is used to help advance the education of the pupils by enhancing the provision of resources and facilities. The work of the T.S.A is greatly appreciated by the Headteacher, Staff and Governors who support the association by helping at or attending as many events as possible. Major events held most years include: Christmas Fair, Quiz Nights, Junior Disco and Summer Fair.

Homework

Without question, parental involvement in their children’s education is of great benefit in terms of progress and motivation for learning. Parents who are interested in their children’s work and who encourage them with time and conversation gain a much more highly motivated child than the

Parents can help their children by reading to them throughout their primary education, and not just when young children cannot read themselves. In that way the richness of English Literature can be presented to them. Children need to be taken to the Library and given help to choose books to support their school work. Children need their parent’s time and genuine interest. Listen to them and talk with them. Mathematics homework for children in Years 3 – 6 is placed on KLZ every week.