Communication Questionnaire-Summary of results … · Web viewSome responses asked for a...

Website: www.hermitagepark.edin.sch.ukEmail: [email protected]

HERMITAGE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL Hermitage Park, Edinburgh, EH6 8HD

January 2017

Thank you to all those who took the time to complete our questionnaire relating to communication within the school. All responses have been collated and can be seen below.

What is coming out of this loud and clear, is that parents and carers appreciate having a weekly newsletter, however they would like the newsletter to include more information regarding what is happening within school e.g. trips and workshops etc. We will endeavor to make sure that these are included. Parents and carers would also prefer for the newsletter to be emailed out rather than a paper copy in school bags. We are currently investigating systems which will allow us to do this. Unfortunately, we cannot use our normal email systems as due to data protection regulations and confidentiality we need to ensure that email addresses are not shared. Mr Fair, our business manager is looking into this and it is hoped that we will be able to implement parent email soon after the February holiday.

Some responses asked for a month’s notice for any events and where possible we try to give as much notice as possible. Yearly events such as class assemblies, Christmas events, whole school’s events are set in August and this information is posted to our website in August and updated throughout the year. We will ensure that this continues and that any events booked throughout the year are notified in the newsletter as soon as is practically possible.

Most parents and carers found our website useful however there were concerns regarding the layout of the website and also that some classes post more than others therefore there is a need for greater consistency across the school.

As you know, we have changed our website and initial feedback is very positive and the number of hits so far is significantly more than the previous website. We are also in the process of writing a website policy/procedure for staff to ensure that everyone is very clear regarding expectations and to ensure greater consistency across the school.

When communicating last minute events, most parent/ carers would prefer us to use text messages, therefore this will continue and the majority of respondents attended and found class assemblies and teacher consultations useful.

1. We currently produce a weekly newsletter which includes information on practical matters for children and parents, school events, national information etc. Please indicate if this newsletter should be:

Weekly 69 Monthly 25 Termly 3

Is there any information that we do not cover in the newsletter which you feel would be beneficial to you?

Info could be given in a more timely manner especially for

Website: www.hermitagepark.edin.sch.ukEmail: [email protected]: 0131 554 2952

trips. Class outings mentioned on the diary grid. I’m quite happy with the weekly newsletter. Would be useful if the table at the back of the newsletter was checked for

accuracy. I do feel that the newsletter should be electronic, having three children I end

up with three letters. People coud opt out it they would prefer to read it on the website.

Things like swimming starting up for a class; Fairtrade tuck-shop days; it would be much handier to have it emailed out for those who chose that option.

Maybe send by email? Sometimes we receive too late e.g. if there is a bake sale on a Friday & we don’t

get the letter until Friday. Add school trips and class assemblies into the calendar bit on the back as soon

as dates are known. Also other performances e.g. choir. School trips More notice of events e.g. risk factory only advised late return to school same

week – not ideal for childcare etc; prefer email than physical letter. Newsletter should all be emailed for convenience, to ave the environment and

prevent loss or misplacement I like the calendar of events on the back. If it goes to monthly – please keep

this! Maybe the nursery should have a separate newsletter? Monthly for the rst of

the school? Making sure all issues are covered and communicated to parents e.g. change in

uniform – this came out after school was back after summer where is could have been in a newsletter before the break.

Info on school football team and when they are playing so we can support them. PTA meeting dates inc in the diary.

Far more notice for events such as school nativity play, summer Fayre etc. would be most helpful as, for working parents 1-2 weeks’ notice is insufficient. A months’ notice would be more appropriate.

All of the sport classes not relevant for parent who work full time and just show us what our child could do if we could afford to work shorter hours.

It is pretty good and is very relevant. Weekly is ideal.2. Our school website has a raft of information about the school, including

policies and school improvement plans, procedural matters, information about what the children are learning, and events.

Have you accessed the school website? Yes 93 No 4

Do you find the website useful? Yes 86 No 7

Is there any information that we do not cover in the website which you feel would be beneficial to you?

I will now! It is often out of date and difficult to navigate. Website not easy to navigate, information difficult to find. It doesn’t update often – not recent.


I find the website very confusing in terms of its layout; it’s hard to find all the good info – would benefit from a redesign.

I would appreciate it term dates (especially in-service days) were clearer and easier to find. Also should be on “calendar” please.

Events at which parent help may be required – mark this so we can try to be available and as early as possible.

Class blogs a bit more up-to-date if possible. Dates for School Association meetings It would be useful if the website was more easily read/ mobile phone

compatible. When there is cake sale/ Fair Trade tuck-shop so ensure my child has money

to purchase something. Year’s trips I have been on the website a few times and it wasn’t updated. Love the blogs! Any info on learning / progress, topics assembly, pics appreciated but teachers

spending their time teaching my child is y main priority. Key dates for school meals & menu’s School holidays and term dates I was interested to find out the outcome of the Tesco bid, but couldn’t find

anything. Class pages are ok, and the lunch form is useful. Ensure class consistency – some classes have loads of info & photos which is

great and some only have pupil log sentences, no photos. It’d be great if at the start of each term, the teacher writes a note of the class page regarding the work for the term e.g. topics, homework, outings etc.

What classes are doing – they always seem to say – coming soon3. Our school policy is that parents and carers are given a minimum of two

week’s notice for any class events and trips. A yearly calendar of events is posted onto the website in August of every year however letters regarding trips etc should go out no later than two weeks before the trip, wherever possible. We recognise, that in some circumstances this has not happened due to outside pressures and trips/ events being arranged at short notice and it is unavoidable that less notice is given.

In light of this, therefore, which would be the best method of communication in these circumstances?

Letter 11 Text Message 72 Both 13

4. Information is also shared through parent/carer events:Class Assemblies/ ShowsHave you attended during the last session? Yes 77 No 20 How useful did you find these? Useful 77 Not Useful 2

Parent ConsultationHave you attended during the last session? Yes 93 No 4 How useful did you find these? Useful 64 Not Useful 3


Parents Workshops/ MeetingsHave you attended during the last session? Yes 50 No 47How useful did you find these? Useful 50 Not Useful 0

5. Are there any other forms of communication which we should consider? I am more than happy with the communication from the school. Emailing the newsletter to save paper. Information about what each class I

learning would be useful either in a termly letter of a curriculum evening at the beginning of the year. To outline topics and outcomes to be covered. This would help me support my child at home.

Email Email newsletters to save paper. Parents could email permission slips to

school to ensure that they are handed in and not forgotten in the bottom of a school bag.

There is not really enough teacher/ parent communication. Parents have to ask for info and cannot easily ask teachers. Not enough feedback when child is under observation or there are concerns. Parents have to guess or ask kids.

Letters sent by email would be preferable. Email/ text is good if info is up to date Email the weekly newsletter Maybe email the newsletter to parents. There could be an option to get the newsletter via email. Cut down on paper? Email/ parentmail – would be so much easier to keep track. Al the information should be on your website and up to date. Thank you. Facebook or a notice page on website that can be updated regularly.

Sometimes pupils know information about something before parents e.g. a teacher leaving or changes to the P7 prefect system. Children can be upset or have questions but parent have no information to alleviate fears or questions. This puts parents ina bad situation and can make them resentful to the school.

Email/ Facebook A text message confirming whether you are needed for a trip when I offer to

help, including where and when I need to be. Last session I received this information the day before or not at all.

Email; some kind of electronic payment of lunches or ability to order for a whole term would be good.

Email More structured format at parent consultations Email Social media/ facebook/ email Email: more efficient and environmentally friendly – and more reliable than

children bringing letters home. Email newsletters rather than paper copies As much notice as possible for events would be helpful. You could send newsletter by email & leave at reception for those who wish

paper copy. Email the newsletter? Email. Assemblies/ Workshops great for those that can attend but for parents

whose work doesn’t allow it’s not great as we miss out. Our child feels bad we’re not there and we feel that we are doing bad as parents – three’s a flip


side to all these things. I find text message useful. Email Rather than paper newsletter move to email/ website. Most families have

smartphones etc – reduce paper waste4r & photocopying costs. Parents could opt out it they do not have email. Newsletters could also be accessed on website.

A weekly email would be my preferred communication from the school. Email would be useful. Email would be great – best of all for me, though letters are good as well. Email Email! Save paper especially on siblings Facebook? Email would be great! Especially with newsletters! Move away from paper system and go online – I’ve previously used Parentmail

(at another school) and it has been excellent. Online learning journals for specific info on your child is also fabulous.

Communication Questionnaire-Summary of results … · Web viewSome responses asked for a...

Documents

Transcript of Communication Questionnaire-Summary of results … · Web viewSome responses asked for a...