Dear Parent/Carer

Thank you for showing an interest in participating in Luton Infants and Nursery School Parent Forum. This meeting will give an overview of the aims and role of the parent forum.

Proposed Agenda to include:1. Welcome and Introductions 2. What is the Parents Forum? 3. Who are the Parents Forum? 4. Parent Forum Constitution 5. Nomination of a Chair and Secretary 6. Discuss Parent Forum Survey Feb 2013 7. Next meeting 8. AOB

Included Information:-

Welcome Pack Letter Draft Constitution Brief overview of roles Parent Forum Questionnaire results analysis

Welcome Pack Letter

Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome to Luton Infants and Nursery School we would like to make you aware of the Parent Forum. What is a Parent Forum? It is a mechanism for gaining greater insight about school developments and approaches, raising questions for further clarification and receiving additional information, advice and support about school related matters. The forum can discuss a range of issues and offers opinions. Although not a decision making body, the forum has the opportunity to influence decisions through an open dialogue. The forum is held periodically and agenda items are suggested by the parents as well as the school. It is a genuine attempt to seek the views of parents and develop a stronger partnership, by improving understanding through communication. The main functions of the Parent Forum are to: Support the school in its work with pupils and parents Listen to and represent the views of parents Promote contact and communication between the school, parents, pupils, the community, nursery and other providers Report to the PTA/FOLIS Each class could be represented by a Maximum of 2 parents. These representatives would speak to and express the opinions of the parents in that class, things discussed could include: Parking and safe routes to walk to school Class mixes Cost of school trips and events Parents evenings Views on school policies when they are updated e.g. Behaviour Policy What would you need to feel comfortable being a representative of your childs class? Some ideas could include: Accepting differences No pressure to speak Listening Confidentiality Being able to add new ground rules at a later session The Parent Forum provides a valuable way to listen to your ideas and concerns and seek your views, helping to make sure the needs of children and their families are met. If you would like more information or to participate in the Parent Forum please contact the school.

Luton Infants and Nursery School Draft Parent Forum Constitution (1)

1. This is the draft constitution for Luton Infants and Nursery School Parent Forum 2. The objectives of the Parent Forum are: To work in partnership with the school to create a welcoming School which is inclusive for all parents and carers. Promote contact and communication between the school, parents, pupils, the community, nursery and other providers Support the school in its work with pupils and parents. To identify and represent the views of parents on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils. 3. The membership of the Parent Forum shall be as follows: All parents and Carers are welcome to join the Parents Forum at Luton Infants and Nursery School. Each class will be represented by a maximum of 2 parents. 4. Members of the Parent Forum shall be expected to remain on the Parents Forum for a minimum of 1 academic year. 5. The Chair and Secretary of the Forum will be agreed by the Parent Forum members immediately following its formation. The Parent Forum will be chaired by a parent or carer of a child attending Luton Infants and Nursery School. If the child ceases to be a pupil, a new Chair will be agreed at the next meeting of the Parent Forum. Office bearers will be re-selected by the Parent Forum on an annual basis or by agreement at the annual meeting of the Parent Forum. 6. The Parent Forum for Luton Infants and Nursery School shall report to the Full Governing Body at least once each year on its activities/views on behalf of all the parents. 7. The Annual Meeting will be held in September of each year. A notice of the meeting including date, time and place will be available to all members of the Parent Forum at least two weeks in advance. The meeting will include: Selection of the new Parent Forum Discussion of issues that members of the Parent Forum may wish to raise. 8. The Parent Forum will meet at least once in every term. At least one member of staff shall attend every meeting. Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each Forum member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie. Any two members of the Parent Forum can request that an additional meeting be held, and all members of the Parent Forum will be given at least one week notice of date, time and place of the meeting.

Luton Infants and Nursery School Draft Parent Forum Constitution (2)

If a Parent Forum member acts in a way that is considered by other members to undermine the objective of the Parent Forum, their membership of the Parent Forum shall be terminated if the majority of members agree. Termination of membership would be confirmed in writing to the member. 9. Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all parents of children at Luton Infants and Nursery School and to all teachers at the school. Copies will be available from the Secretary of the Parent Forum. A copy of all minutes will be given to the Head teacher of the school. 10. Meetings of the Parent Forum shall not be open to the public, only members of the Parent Forum and head teacher, or their representatives, can attend.

Role of Chairperson Authority: - The chair will need to maintain control to ensure that progress is made in line with the schedule as defined in the agenda. Flexibility: - Following an agenda does not always imply unquestioning devotion to it. For example, if an unplanned deviation could produce a clarification or the bonding together of meeting participants, then this might represent a very effective strategy. Impartiality: - It is important that the chair supports an equal and fair consideration of all sides of the argument. This can be especially difficult where the chair is privately on one side of the debate. Maturity: - The chair must be able to accept and work with a broad cross section of personalities. They should view each meeting without too much preconception as to how individuals will act and react, but be able to respond as the need arises. Role of Secretary Plan the meeting with the chairperson, send out notice of the meeting to all participants well in advance. Along with the meeting notice include an agenda, minutes of the last meeting and any hand-outs that will be discussed during the meeting. Record minutes during the meeting. Make sure the notes are thorough and easy to transcribe afterward. If it's acceptable to the chairperson and other meeting participants, use a tape recorder to record the minutes. The secretary can take a roll call or pass around an attendance register at the beginning of the meeting. Follow up after the meeting transcribe the notes from the meeting. Then, submit the minutes to the chairperson for approval. If guest speakers were present at the meeting, send thank-you notes to them. If meeting participants were assigned tasks during the meeting, send them timely reminders of those tasks afterward. Role of members Arrive on time. Keep an open mind. Listen to the opinions of others. Participate. Avoid dominating the proceedings. Avoid conflict situations. Avoid side conversations which distract others. Ask questions to clarify understanding. Note down any action agreed upon. After the meeting, undertake any agreed action and brief other parents as appropriate. These are very brief descriptions and not definitive, should be viewed as giving a taste of what is expected.

Survey 12th February 2013

My child is happy at school

%
98%

Question Results
Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

The school is welcoming to parents.

91%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

I think the school keeps me well informed about how well my child is doing. Newsletters and other information sent home keeps me updated with school news. I think that Luton Infants & Nursery School is a good school. The school seeks the views of parents / carers and takes account of their suggestions and concerns. The school would benefit from the creation of a parents forum.

98%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

86%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

96%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

86%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

91%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

My child feels safe at school.

100%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

I am happy with the teaching my child receives.

98%

Parents answered Agreed to Strongly Agreed.

The school encourages all children to do their best. The school provides sufficient opportunities for children to be involved in after school clubs and activities. There is mutual respect between staff, pupils and parents. My child receives appropriate homework for their age. I would recommend this school to another parent. There is a positive view of the school in the local community. The school seeks to involve the community in different activities.

81%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

54%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

81%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

84%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

81%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

54%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

53%

Parents answered Slightly to Strongly Agreed.

Dont Know
Parent Forum Survey 12th February 2013

Disagree

Slightly Agree

Agree

Strongly Agree

Blank

%
1.8%

%
0.0%

%
5.3%

%
29.8%

%
63.2%

%
0.0%

My child is happy at school

17

36

The school is welcoming to parents.

1.8%

5.3%

5.3%

12

21.1%

37

64.9%

1.8%

I think the school keeps me well informed about how well my child is doing.

0.0%

0.0%

10.5%

13

22.8%

37

64.9%

1.8%

Newsletters and other information sent home keeps me updated with school news.

3.5%

8.8%

7.0%

13

22.8%

32

56.1%

1.8%

I think that Luton Infants & Nursery S chool is a good school.

1.8%

1.8%

7.0%

19

33.3%

32

56.1%

0.0%

The school seeks the v iews of parents / carers and takes account of their suggestions and concerns.

7.0%

5.3%

12.3%

18

31.6%

24

42.1%

1.8%

The school would benefit from the creation of a parents forum.

3.5%

0.0%

14.0%

23

40.4%

21

36.8%

5.3%

My child feels safe at school.

0.0%

0.0%

1.8%

25

43.9%

31

54.4%

0.0%

I am happy with the teaching my child receiv es.

1.8%

0.0%

0.0%

12

21.1%

44

77.2%

0.0%

The school encourages all children to do their best.

5.3%

0.0%

5.3%

11

19.3%

32

56.1%

14.0%

The school prov ides sufficient opportunities for children to be inv olv ed in after school clubs and activ ities.

13

22.8%

10.5%

10

17.5%

13

22.8%

14.0%

12.3%

There is mutual respect between staff, pupils and parents.

3.5%

3.5%

10.5%

19

33.3%

21

36.8%

12.3%

My child receiv es appropriate homework for their age.

3.5%

0.0%

3.5%

18

31.6%

28

49.1%

12.3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

3.5%

5.3%

7.0%

18

31.6%

24

42.1%

10.5%

There is a positiv e v iew of the school in the local community.

10.5%

10

17.5%

10

17.5%

12

21.1%

15.8%

10

17.5%

The school seeks to inv olv e the community in different activ ities.

12

21.1%

7.0%

10

17.5%

10

17.5%

10

17.5%

11

19.3%

Additional Comments and Suggestions Sometimes the School Doesn't partake in events like comic relief or red nose day and parents are some times disappointed by this. Also the amount of notice given for events or activities is often very short and this sometimes makes things difficult for some parents. It would be nice to see the school image change i.e.. outside premises looking nice flowers, pictures mosaics.

I feel there should be better planning for events/parent evening and school term dates. Often late notice means time off work which is not always possible. The school should engage more with patents and the community and think of alternative ways to communicate with parents. Regular email updates updating school website with useful information for parents.

Replace the temporary nursery structure with permanent building. More after school clubs.

The School is good. Picks up on and acts really quickly to any difficulties a child may be going through.

What after school clubs !!?

Comments above are just about the school. Nursery is Excellent.

I think the school needs more after school activities

It encourages my child but I dont know about the others. I've only been informed about one after school club and I wish there were more

My Daughter loves going to the Nursery and has done since day one. Very Welcoming and Cery's loves all the staff. Hopefully she will love the main school as much if she gets a place. Lovely School !!!

I strongly feel that children's language at school should be monitored, both in class and on the playground. Otherwise this school is of a high standard at all levels.

Support for the individuals is wonderful. Each child judged by own merits & circumstances. Advocacy is strong for the child and level of support given is beyond expectation. Teaching standards for my child are great and behavioural management between home & school exceptional

School is not only about standards & target. There is a diverse range of families, languages & cultures. Which present many challenges in this deprived area. The staff and head teacher support this to the best of their ability. They still expect each child to reach there individual potential. Pastoral care is second to none.