PARENT FORUM
What is the St.Leonard's Parent Forum?
The St. Leonard’s Parent Forum seeks to represent the collective voice of parents and carers in discussions with the school’s governing body and leadership team. It will play an active role in influencing, supporting and enhancing the development and learning of all children at St. Leonard’s.
How will we meet?
We will organise a Parent Coffee Afternoon (initially) every half-term.
The Parent Forum will:
Work closely with the governing body and school leadership team to ensure an open and beneficial dialogue exists.
Encourage closer links between home and school, helping parents and carers engage with their children’s learning.
Assist governors, teachers and staff by commenting on new initiatives, drawing attention to areas of concern and contributing to solutions.
Enhance communication with and between all members of the school community.
Develop and disseminate ideas that improve life at St Leonard’s.
What are the principles guiding the St.Leonard's Parent Forum?
St Leonard’s Parent Forum will be:
Collaborative: participating together for the benefit of the school community
Constructive: helping to identify effective solutions
Transparent: keeping everyone informed of meetings and their outcomes
Encouraging: welcoming ideas and initiatives to foster a positive ethos
Who can be part of the Forum?
All parents and carers of children attending St Leonard’s Primary School and Nursery are welcome to be part of the Forum. In addition, a representative from the governors and the leadership team has committed to attend each meeting.
What will the Parent Forum not do?
The Parent Forum is not a decision-making body. It is a body which can feed in views and represent the parents and carers of issues surrounding the school. The Parent Forum is also not the place to discuss concerns or complaints involving individual children, families or members of staff.
Why should parents and carers take part?
As a parent or carer, being part of the Forum can help you in a number of ways:
Good links between you and the school can improve your child’s/children’s enjoyment and chances of doing well.
It gives you an opportunity to get together on a regular basis with other parents to have your say on what the school is doing well, and ideas of how you feel things could be improved.
It can help you get the advice and support to help and encourage your children with their learning.
It can break down barriers between the school and parents and improve working relationships.
How can parents and carers participate?
Parents and carers can participate in a number of ways:
All are warmly welcome to attend and participate at any Parent Forum meeting;
By taking a role to help promote the Forum and make it work;
By participating in activities and letting either your Parent Forum Year/Class representative or a member of the Parent Forum Committee aware of your thoughts relating to St Leonard’s or by emailing the School Office;
By suggesting items to be discussed.
Guidelines for participation
We want to ensure a positive and respectful environment and we want those who attend the meetings to abide by the following code of conduct:
Listen to others’ views and welcome diversity of opinions
Treat speakers with respect
Act courteously
Contribute & participate
Avoid naming individual members of the school community