Introductory Statement
This policy was formulated by the staff of the school, in consultation with members of the Parents’ Association during the first term 2016/17, and reflects ongoing practice in St Patrick’s NS, Clonbullogue.
Rationale
This policy aims to enhance relationships between staff and parents in St Patrick’s NS. It acknowledges that parental involvement in a school brings benefits to pupils, parents and teachers. This policy is written in the context of the Education Act, 1998 the Education Welfare Act, 2000 and Circular 24/91 which recognises parents as partners in education.
Relationship to the characteristic spirit of the school
St Patrick’s NS seeks to enable each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment where the talents of each child are valued. This work can best be done where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils.
Aims:
We hope that the introduction of this policy will support the maintenance of a school climate that:
Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association of St Patrick’s NS is affiliated to the National Parents’ Council, and fulfils its role in accordance with Section 26, Education Act 1998. All parents are invited and encouraged to become actively involved in the Association. It is expected that the parent representatives on the Board of Management will be involved in the Parents’ Association Committee, to aid communication between the two groups. The principal or her representative is invited to all Parents’ Association Committee meetings to aid communication and co-ordination between the parents and staff.
The Parents’ Association supports and promotes the role of parents in St Patrick’s NS, in consultation with the principal. It may advise the principal and Board of Management on policy issues should the parents think it necessary, and as such is an important resource for the school.
The Parents’ Association’ fundraising activities are invaluable to the school, and ensure that school arranged activities are financially accessible to all children in the school. The fundraising events organised by the association also play an important role in aiding informal and friendly contacts between parents and staff of the school, and provide an opportunity for parents, especially those new to the community, to meet each other.
The Parents’ Association also provides practical assistance to the school from time-to-time through helping with the organisation of school events, maintenance matters etc. Members of the Parents’ Association may help the school liaise with other organisations in the locality, such as the GAA or Tidy Towns committee. The Parents’ Association Committee has a role in facilitating education (e.g. arranging speakers, disseminating information) for the parent body, should they deem this appropriate.
All members of the Parents’ Association are reminded that the Parents’ Association is not a forum for complaint against either an individual parent or teacher.
Board of Management
The parents’ nominees on the Board of Management are appointed and fulfil their roles in accordance with the Governance Manual for Primary Schools.
Vision / Mission and Aims
During the final term of 2015/16 parents were asked to contribute to the vision and mission statement of the school under the headings: academic, aesthetic, physical, cultural, moral, social, emotional, personal, spiritual and other. The vision statement was reviewed in the context of their responses.
Parental support for the aims of the school is vital if they are to be achieved. It is expected that parents will co-operate with the school and its teachers in the academic, physical and spiritual education of its pupils, and likewise the school commits to collaborate with parents in the best interests of all children in the school.
Organisational Policies
From time to time parents are asked to respond or give their opinions on specific policy issues, often through the Parents’ Association or parent representatives on the Board of Management. All parents are welcome to request a copy of any school policy and to comment on aspects of these policies, by appointment.
The school depends on the support of parents for the implementation of all its policies. In particular, parents are asked to ensure the punctuality and attendance of their children, and to help their children in complying with the code of behaviour and the healthy lunch, uniform and homework policies. Parents have access to information about their children which helps the school apply the Anti-Bullying, Code of Behaviour, Child Protection and Administration of Medicine procedures. Parental collaboration with teachers is essential when the school is catering for children with special educational needs.
Curricular Areas
By ensuring that their children come to school rested, fed and properly equipped for the school day, parents play an important role in ensuring that the schools’ curricular aims are achieved.
Class teachers are willing to discuss concerns parents might have, by appointment. At the annual parent-teacher meetings, the progress of individual children in each subject area is discussed. Teachers arrange other meetings with parents on curricular and other issues should the need arise.
Parents are consulted and make the final decision in relation to decisions such as obtaining an educational psychologist’s report, referring children to other agencies (except where Child Protection concerns suggest parental consent is not appropriate), applying for an Irish exemption or repeating a class.
Parents with particular knowledge or skills may be available to help the school in particular subject areas, for example:
Special Educational Needs
See Learning Support Policy for details.
Parents are informed once it is obvious that their children are having difficulties with their school work, and invited to a meeting with the class teacher or SEN teachers to contribute to the devising of the Individual Education Plan. Parent-teacher meetings take place with SEN teachers as with classroom teachers, and parents are welcome to make an appointment with the SEN teachers should the need arise. Parents are strongly advised to allow their children to benefit from the services offered by the SEN teachers, in the best interests of their children.
Communication
Parent teacher meetings take place annually and provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to talk privately, without interruption. All reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the meetings are scheduled at a time convenient for the parents, and the meetings for siblings are usually scheduled consecutively to facilitate parents. The specific format of the meetings is at the discretion of individual teachers. Teachers facilitate separate meetings if requested due to family break-up etc. Additional parent-teacher meetings may take place throughout the year if the parents or teacher deem this necessary.
At the end of each school year a written report is sent to parents and a copy kept in the school. Teachers send duplicate copies of reports if requested. These reports are confidential and without prejudice.
The school frequently sends written notes home to parents. These are sent at the start of each term, before the summer holidays and as the need arises throughout the year. The school website and the text-a-parent service are also used to communicate with parents. The school facilitates the Parents’ Association in communicating with parents by photocopying their notes and handing them out to the pupils.
From first class (at the discretion of the class teacher), each child has a homework notebook, which parents and teachers may also use to communicate with each other. All parents are requested to provide class teachers with their phone numbers so that they may be contacted rapidly in the case of an emergency, or for other reasons.
Parent/guardians are welcome to meet with the class teacher, SEN teacher, principal or deputy principal, provided they make an appointment. Teachers in St Patrick’s NS always treat parents with courtesy and respect and expect parents to treat them similarly.
Parents are invited to a variety of events in the school, such as Christmas Plays, Jumble sales, Green Flag action days etc. It is very heartening for staff to see the good attendance that these days usually attract.
Notices of interest to parents are displayed in the front hall of the school, as are photographs of various activities that the pupils have been involved in.
Parents are expected to provide a written explanation for their child’s absences, if homework is not completed or if the child is not wearing the school uniform. Individual teachers may have other requirements regarding notes, signing notebooks, tests etc. which they communicate to parents at the start of each school year.
Home School Community Liaison, Rural Co-ordinator, Education Welfare Officer
At the present time St Patrick’s NS does not have the services of a HSCL teacher or Rural co-ordinator. The infant class teacher is responsible for enrolments and so meets with all new parents. The principal co-ordinates with the Parents’ Association in the organisation of events etc.
Parents are made aware at the start of each school year of the role of Education Welfare Officer in communicating with parents whose children have missed more than 20 school days, in relation to placement of pupils in other schools, etc.
Success Criteria
It is acknowledged that the implementation of a policy of parental involvement will be a continual and ongoing process. However, evidence of the following features in the school would indicate that the policy is operating successfully:
Roles and Responsibilities:
All parents are responsible for engaging with the school at a level that they regard appropriate. All school staff are expected to facilitate this appropriate involvement.
Communication
All school staff and parents are aware of the provisions of this policy, and will be given a copy of it upon request.
Ratification
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 15 February 2017.
This policy was formulated by the staff of the school, in consultation with members of the Parents’ Association during the first term 2016/17, and reflects ongoing practice in St Patrick’s NS, Clonbullogue.
Rationale
This policy aims to enhance relationships between staff and parents in St Patrick’s NS. It acknowledges that parental involvement in a school brings benefits to pupils, parents and teachers. This policy is written in the context of the Education Act, 1998 the Education Welfare Act, 2000 and Circular 24/91 which recognises parents as partners in education.
Relationship to the characteristic spirit of the school
St Patrick’s NS seeks to enable each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment where the talents of each child are valued. This work can best be done where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils.
Aims:
We hope that the introduction of this policy will support the maintenance of a school climate that:
- Supports all members of the school community, most especially its pupils.
- Has established procedures for the sharing of information in relation to pupil progress and attainment
- Enriches and extends the educational opportunities provided for pupils by accessing the skills and talents of parents
Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association of St Patrick’s NS is affiliated to the National Parents’ Council, and fulfils its role in accordance with Section 26, Education Act 1998. All parents are invited and encouraged to become actively involved in the Association. It is expected that the parent representatives on the Board of Management will be involved in the Parents’ Association Committee, to aid communication between the two groups. The principal or her representative is invited to all Parents’ Association Committee meetings to aid communication and co-ordination between the parents and staff.
The Parents’ Association supports and promotes the role of parents in St Patrick’s NS, in consultation with the principal. It may advise the principal and Board of Management on policy issues should the parents think it necessary, and as such is an important resource for the school.
The Parents’ Association’ fundraising activities are invaluable to the school, and ensure that school arranged activities are financially accessible to all children in the school. The fundraising events organised by the association also play an important role in aiding informal and friendly contacts between parents and staff of the school, and provide an opportunity for parents, especially those new to the community, to meet each other.
The Parents’ Association also provides practical assistance to the school from time-to-time through helping with the organisation of school events, maintenance matters etc. Members of the Parents’ Association may help the school liaise with other organisations in the locality, such as the GAA or Tidy Towns committee. The Parents’ Association Committee has a role in facilitating education (e.g. arranging speakers, disseminating information) for the parent body, should they deem this appropriate.
All members of the Parents’ Association are reminded that the Parents’ Association is not a forum for complaint against either an individual parent or teacher.
Board of Management
The parents’ nominees on the Board of Management are appointed and fulfil their roles in accordance with the Governance Manual for Primary Schools.
Vision / Mission and Aims
During the final term of 2015/16 parents were asked to contribute to the vision and mission statement of the school under the headings: academic, aesthetic, physical, cultural, moral, social, emotional, personal, spiritual and other. The vision statement was reviewed in the context of their responses.
Parental support for the aims of the school is vital if they are to be achieved. It is expected that parents will co-operate with the school and its teachers in the academic, physical and spiritual education of its pupils, and likewise the school commits to collaborate with parents in the best interests of all children in the school.
Organisational Policies
From time to time parents are asked to respond or give their opinions on specific policy issues, often through the Parents’ Association or parent representatives on the Board of Management. All parents are welcome to request a copy of any school policy and to comment on aspects of these policies, by appointment.
The school depends on the support of parents for the implementation of all its policies. In particular, parents are asked to ensure the punctuality and attendance of their children, and to help their children in complying with the code of behaviour and the healthy lunch, uniform and homework policies. Parents have access to information about their children which helps the school apply the Anti-Bullying, Code of Behaviour, Child Protection and Administration of Medicine procedures. Parental collaboration with teachers is essential when the school is catering for children with special educational needs.
Curricular Areas
By ensuring that their children come to school rested, fed and properly equipped for the school day, parents play an important role in ensuring that the schools’ curricular aims are achieved.
Class teachers are willing to discuss concerns parents might have, by appointment. At the annual parent-teacher meetings, the progress of individual children in each subject area is discussed. Teachers arrange other meetings with parents on curricular and other issues should the need arise.
Parents are consulted and make the final decision in relation to decisions such as obtaining an educational psychologist’s report, referring children to other agencies (except where Child Protection concerns suggest parental consent is not appropriate), applying for an Irish exemption or repeating a class.
Parents with particular knowledge or skills may be available to help the school in particular subject areas, for example:
- Language: poet/author, member of drama group, etc.
- Mathematics: architect, builder, carpenter, accountant, etc.
- Arts: artist, actor, musician, dancer, etc.
- SPHE: district nurse, dietician, guard, etc.
- SESE: laboratory technician, historian, town planner, etc.
- P.E: sportsperson, representatives from local sports groups, etc.
Special Educational Needs
See Learning Support Policy for details.
Parents are informed once it is obvious that their children are having difficulties with their school work, and invited to a meeting with the class teacher or SEN teachers to contribute to the devising of the Individual Education Plan. Parent-teacher meetings take place with SEN teachers as with classroom teachers, and parents are welcome to make an appointment with the SEN teachers should the need arise. Parents are strongly advised to allow their children to benefit from the services offered by the SEN teachers, in the best interests of their children.
Communication
Parent teacher meetings take place annually and provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to talk privately, without interruption. All reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the meetings are scheduled at a time convenient for the parents, and the meetings for siblings are usually scheduled consecutively to facilitate parents. The specific format of the meetings is at the discretion of individual teachers. Teachers facilitate separate meetings if requested due to family break-up etc. Additional parent-teacher meetings may take place throughout the year if the parents or teacher deem this necessary.
At the end of each school year a written report is sent to parents and a copy kept in the school. Teachers send duplicate copies of reports if requested. These reports are confidential and without prejudice.
The school frequently sends written notes home to parents. These are sent at the start of each term, before the summer holidays and as the need arises throughout the year. The school website and the text-a-parent service are also used to communicate with parents. The school facilitates the Parents’ Association in communicating with parents by photocopying their notes and handing them out to the pupils.
From first class (at the discretion of the class teacher), each child has a homework notebook, which parents and teachers may also use to communicate with each other. All parents are requested to provide class teachers with their phone numbers so that they may be contacted rapidly in the case of an emergency, or for other reasons.
Parent/guardians are welcome to meet with the class teacher, SEN teacher, principal or deputy principal, provided they make an appointment. Teachers in St Patrick’s NS always treat parents with courtesy and respect and expect parents to treat them similarly.
Parents are invited to a variety of events in the school, such as Christmas Plays, Jumble sales, Green Flag action days etc. It is very heartening for staff to see the good attendance that these days usually attract.
Notices of interest to parents are displayed in the front hall of the school, as are photographs of various activities that the pupils have been involved in.
Parents are expected to provide a written explanation for their child’s absences, if homework is not completed or if the child is not wearing the school uniform. Individual teachers may have other requirements regarding notes, signing notebooks, tests etc. which they communicate to parents at the start of each school year.
Home School Community Liaison, Rural Co-ordinator, Education Welfare Officer
At the present time St Patrick’s NS does not have the services of a HSCL teacher or Rural co-ordinator. The infant class teacher is responsible for enrolments and so meets with all new parents. The principal co-ordinates with the Parents’ Association in the organisation of events etc.
Parents are made aware at the start of each school year of the role of Education Welfare Officer in communicating with parents whose children have missed more than 20 school days, in relation to placement of pupils in other schools, etc.
Success Criteria
It is acknowledged that the implementation of a policy of parental involvement will be a continual and ongoing process. However, evidence of the following features in the school would indicate that the policy is operating successfully:
- Benefits to pupil learning resulting from greater parental involvement.
- Parental involvement is increased in school activities
- Positive feedback from parents/staff
Roles and Responsibilities:
All parents are responsible for engaging with the school at a level that they regard appropriate. All school staff are expected to facilitate this appropriate involvement.
Communication
All school staff and parents are aware of the provisions of this policy, and will be given a copy of it upon request.
Ratification
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 15 February 2017.