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What does your primary school do - parent feedback?

5 replies

PopcornPoppingInAPan · 01/07/2023 11:10

Hello, I'm really interested to find out what other primary schools typically do to allow parents to raise concerns or queries or give feedback.
My children's junior school, and the sister infant school, have for a long time had a 'parent forum' perhaps once a term. Parents can submit questions or concerns to their class rep who will raise them anonymously with the SLT. There were frustrations when things got ignored or didn't change but at least it felt like parents had a voice.
The headteacher has just announced that there will be no more parent forums. Instead they will be 'organising regular events with the SLT which will be focused on key topics and themes.' Which sounds like no substitute for the forums and frankly that they couldn't give two hoots what parents think.
Would love to hear what other schools do. Thanks in advance.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NCTDN · 01/07/2023 12:00

I'm a teacher. We don't do anything like that but parents would raise concerns directly with the head.
My children's school did and I went to them. I don't think they actually achieved anything though. It's just a tick box for ofsted to say that they take parent views into account.

Airdustmoon · 01/07/2023 12:12

No parent forums, but they do parent surveys about 2-3 times a year. They ask specific questions but there’s also a general comments box where you can raise anything, and they then respond to points raised via the newsletter.

5childrenand · 01/07/2023 12:15

Parent surveys every term and then a very open door policy so parents can raise things as & when eg head is on playground every morning so really accessible.

How many things are there that people need to raise? Schools generally remain fairly similar in the big things / I would expect significant changes to be subject to a different parental consultation anyway. So most issues would probably be individual child related? In which case raising in an open forum wouldn’t be appropriate anyway.

Hihosilver123 · 02/07/2023 10:25

We don’t have parent forums, but senior staff are very present and approachable. If a parent has a concern or an idea, they just raise it.

TizerorFizz · 02/07/2023 12:15

Where I was a governor, there was a parent forum twice a year. They are very distinct from the PTA which is about raising funds. The head and deputy were available at the meeting and a governor.

Parents are also welcome to see slt but many schools try and control the narrative. They are, after all, the leaders of the school. A good school will work with the parent body but obviously cannot take on all suggestions. A school does not have to consult on all major changes. They can amalgamate classes, and do quite a lot if the governors have set the strategic vision. Some things they must consult on but not necessarily with just parents.

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