Home/School/Child Contract

The Government has stated that schools should produce Home/School contracts. We have entitled ours a “Home/School/Child Contract” and see it as a statement of intent for each of the three parties involved – the family, the school and the child.

The contract is to be signed by new families as soon as is possible after a child has joined the school.

Homework

Homework is set to support the child’s learning in school, to encourage parents’ involvement with their child’s learning and to provide children with the opportunity to organise their work routines independently at home. It should not cause anxiety and children are encouraged to discuss any difficulties with their class teacher.

Children will be set homework on a weekly basis and class teachers may ask a child to finish off a piece of work or collect information and objects to do with a topic they may be studying. Children will be asked to take home spellings and tables to learn. Parents are asked to ensure that these are learnt – these activities should be made as enjoyable as possible. Children will be provided with a Homework Book and will be expected to complete the homework set for them. It is expected that parents will check the book regularly and sign to acknowledge all entries. An outline of the homework given to each year group is sent home at the beginning of the school year.

All children are encouraged to read either with a parent, or on their own every day and it is hoped that every parent and child will take part.

Personal Safety

The school is committed to teaching a preventative programme for Personal Safety which enables children to use their common sense to stay safe.

All aspects of safety are considered in the school curriculum. These aspects of safety include water safety, road safety, safety in the home, safety in school and safety in the world outside.

Should the school have any Child Protection concerns, they will be referred to the Social Services department immediately in line with the school’s policy and the Education Department’s “Child Protection Guidelines for Schools”.

Parental Involvement and Communication

Parental involvement in school is valued and encouraged as it can only benefit the child, the school and the parents themselves. Parent Consultation Evenings are arranged each term when you can discuss your child’s progress with teachers and see his/her work. Targets for your child will be set each term as part of an ongoing process and these will be agreed by children and teachers. An annual report for each child will be issued towards the end of each year and you will have an opportunity to discuss the content with your child’s class teacher.

If you have any worries about school, please come and see us and discuss matters. We will be pleased to talk to you.

Voluntary parental support is welcomed and encouraged. Please talk to your child’s teacher if you wish to become involved in this way.

Parent Forums are run regularly in which a wide range of issues are discussed and parent’s views sought. Visiting speakers are invited to inform parents on community activities and services. This is very much an informal time for parents to meet and discuss school issues with staff. Meetings are limited to 45 minutes.

Regular Newsletters inform parents of recent events and school news(see Newsletter)

A most active Parent's Association of Woodside Schools (PAWS) supports the school in many ways. Events are organised for parents and children. Membership is open to all parents of children at the school. The annual subscription is £5 per family. In recent years, the Association has used its resources to provide many additional items for the school – television equipment, computers, sandwich trolleys as well as contributing towards the new playground markings for games. 

Behaviour and Discipline

The ethos of the school is based on mutual respect, encouragement, trust, praise and care and consideration for others. It is our aim to develop in each child a moral code of conduct and a sense of conscience. Our intention is to create a positive climate where greatest emphasis is placed on praise and reward. Good work and appropriate behaviour are rewarded by praise, stickers and Merit Certificates. Talking to the children to help them resolve their issues is an essential part of their education and we feel that time doing this is well spent.

However, we believe that every teacher has the right to teach and every child has the right to learn.