Parents appreciate the strong care and commitment that the school has to all pupils” 
Ofsted 2009

We consider the partnership of parents and school very important and as we share in supporting the children’s learning. Consequently we encourage parents to participate fully in the life of the school. We hold Parent Consultation Evenings during the Autumn and Spring terms and a written Report is sent home in the latter half of the Summer Term. Through these meetings each child’s progress and targets can be discussed at regular intervals.  In the meantime if you have any worries please make an appointment to meet with your child’s class teacher – don’t wait for Parents Evening.

There are many areas of life in school which would be almost impossible without the help of parents.  We ask for help on both a regular and an occasional basis.  Regular help covers such things as help with craft activities, computers, reading, trips and general classroom support.  Not everyone can commit themselves to helping on a regular basis but are able to help occasionally with such things as mounting pictures, printing worksheets and helping with school events.  We really are most grateful for all the help we receive from parents in so many different ways.  We hope that you will let us know when you can help and in what way.  All adults working in school are CRB cleared to ensure the safety of our children.  We have also set up a Parents’ Forum which meets on a termly basis and aims to encourage as many parents to attend as possible.  There are is also an online forum for parents to share thoughts and ideas about the school and its effectiveness, direct e-mail access and our school website to help us ensure strong communication.

COMMUNICATION

We believe that effective two way communication is at the heart of partnership.  To this end the school’s ethos is very much centred around an open door policy.  Staff are easily accessible to parents at the beginning and end of the day for informal conversations or to organise more formal meetings.

In addition to this we also seek to communicate with parents via our school website, www.sharmans-cross.com; Twitter, www.twitter.com/sxjs; a weekly emailed or online newsletter; an automated text messaging service or through the Home/School diaries.  You can also contact the school by phone or email.

Important dates, upcoming events, school letters, activities going on in school, homework, pupil targets and even their work can be communicated in these ways.  We soon hope to have the facility for parents to also access the latest teacher assessments online up and running.

PTA

The Parents Association is extremely active within the school community and always welcomes new members to the committee.  The Association provides fund-raising and social activities which are well supported such as Christmas and Summer Fairs, discos and quizzes.

Recently they have furnished our Year 3/4 playground with line markings and standing structures to enhance playtimes.  This has been achieved in collaboration with our student council.  They have also supported us in being able to develop the new drama studio.