Parent and Carer View

Parent Carer Survey Feedback Dec 2022

How you can express your views

Your views are important to us: we’re always keen to hear your questions, constructive comments and concerns.

Speak with the Class Teacher

Parent/carer consultations are held twice a year – once in the autumn term and another in the spring. However, informal meetings can be more effective, at times.  We encourage Parents/Carers of all our pupils to keep in close contact with the school – it’s nearly always possible to speak with the Class Teacher for a moment or two before or after school, and a longer discussion can be arranged within a day or two. These meetings can be arranged if you have specific concerns or would like to know more about how to support your child. For example, following the Annual Report, which is sent home before the summer holiday, you might like to arrange a meeting with your child’s Class Teacher to discuss some of the content of the report and how you can help your child over the long summer break.

Speak to the Headteacher

As well as speaking to the Class Teacher, Mrs Kirkwood will provide you with an overview of your child’s learning (she is responsible for tracking the attainment and progress of all children in school) as well as talk about ways to support you and your child. She treats all feedback sensitively and appropriately – your feedback is one of the ways we can keep getting better and better.

Put your views in writing

Every year in the Autumn Term, we carry out a short survey for parents/carers. The survey is usually in two sections. The first section asks you to agree/disagree with a few statements – these relate to Ofsted inspection criteria and will be about teaching, learning, behaviour and safety, and leadership. There’s always space for you to express your views, too. It will ask for your thoughts on an issue so we know whether or not we should work on improving it (school dinners, for example). The surveys are completed online and anonymous; however you can leave your name if you wish.

Don’t wait until the annual survey, though! If you have some feedback for us, we’d like to hear from you. You could send us an email to vickerj03@schoolslink.net or a short note.

Contact Ofsted

parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think about Summerfield Primary. It asks for your opinion on 12 aspects of school, from the quality of teaching to dealing with bullying and poor behaviour. Ofsted uses the information you provide when making decisions about which schools to inspect, and when. By sharing your views, you’ll be helping us to improve – we’ll aim to keep doing the things you praise and sort out the things you see as areas for development. Please remember that if your feedback is specific to your own child, it might be better to contact someone at school so we can respond quickly and specifically to help your child.

At the Parent View website, you’ll also be able to see what other parents have said about Summerfield Primary (and, if you want to, view the results for any school in England).

Look out for our communications

Your questions, comments or concerns are often answered in our communications. Near the start of each half-term, Parents/Carers receive a newsletter. The newsletters typically have class-specific information. This is in addition to occasional letters which are sent home whenever there is important news.

We send home paper copies of essential communications. However, we increasingly use other ways to communicate. Up to date information can be found on the school website where there is the opportunity to leave comments in the guestbook.  If you use Twitter, you can follow us there @summerfieldps.

Make a complaint

Complaints are rare at Summerfield. We have an open culture. Members of staff are nearly always available – it’s easy to have a quick chat with Teachers or the Headteacher so most concerns or complaints are dealt with quickly. However, if Parents/Carers feel that they need to make a formal complaint, it should be made in writing to the Headteacher, who will investigate and give a response within ten days. If Parents/Carers remain dissatisfied, they can appeal to the Governing Body. The case will then be reviewed by a Governors’ Panel and a final response given within twenty days. A copy of the Local Authority’s Complaints Procedure and any other documentation which may be required is available from the school office.

Fiona Kirkwood- Headteacher