Overthorpe C of E Academy

Parent Feedback

"Overthorpe is more than a school - we are the heart of our community"

Each year, we conduct a parent survey, so that we can ensure that we are meeting the needs of our community of families. The responses are always extremely positive and we act upon any concerns or questions raised, either through further conversations or by taking direct action. 

To demonstrate this, please find the results of our most recent parent survey and next steps from November 2023

• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that their child was happy at school.
• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that their child felt safe at school.
• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that the school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
• 9 out of 10 respondents stated their child had not been bullied at school or 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that this was dealt with quickly and effectively.
• 8 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that they are made aware of what their child will learn during the year.
• 8 out of 10 respondents stated that they had not raised concerns with school or 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that these were dealt with properly.
• 7 out of 10 respondents whose children had SEND 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
• 8 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that the school has high expectations for their child.
• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that their child does well at school.
• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that the school lets them know how their child is doing.
• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that there is a good range of subjects available to their child at school.
• 9 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that their child can take part in clubs and activities at school.
• 8 out of 10 respondents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that the school supports their child's wider development.
• 9 out of 10 respondents would recommend the school to another parent.

UPDATE ON OUR ACTIONS

• You said - We need to consider how we can engage with all parents more broadly though parental events. There was a feeling that this was a strength 'pre-Covid.'
• We have - organised a number of events that have involved parents and carers. These have included World Book Day events, consultations on our RSE curriculum and reading mornings in school for our Reception and KS1 children. Additionally, we have delivered and have planned in a number of parental events right across school, most recently, our Year 2 parents joined their children in Science week and learned about how moths adapt over time. These events continue into summer term, at which point, we will reflect on our achievements and map out further parental engagement events for next academic year also.

• You said - you want us to continue to build a transparent and sharing relationship with parents. For instance, through sharing our Academy Improvement Plan at the start of the year. More work needs to be done in terms of how we share what your children will be learning across the year.
• We have - been working on our curriculum documentation and presenting this in a way that is, hopefully, accessible to yourselves as parents and carers. Prior to September, this detail was not on the school website. If you navigate to https://www.overthorpecofe.co.uk/all-about-us/curriculum-information you will see 'Learning Journeys' which map out our curriculum content throughout school. There remain a small number of final additions we need to make to what you see on the website but there is now very clear detail about what your child will be learning in school.

• You said - Parents feel they would like to get more of sense of what is happening in school through the school X (Twitter) account. Work is underway in order to ensure we have adequate staff devices to 'tweet' as this is an area we have also identified as a development priority.
• We have - 'relaunched' the school Twitter (X) page. At the start of September 2023, the most recent post on the main school Twitter was from November 2022. We have streamlined our accounts so that we have one school account rather than individual class accounts. We are very proud of how our Twitter page showcases and informs you of the variety of learning experiences your children have in school. Teachers follow guidelines about the frequency of Tweets in order to achieve a balance view across school. There is still a little more work to be done in securing a balanced approach across all classes.

• We need to consider how we can engage with all parents more broadly though parental events. There was a feeling that this was a strength 'pre-Covid.'
• We will reflect on how we continue to work alongside parents of children with SEND in order for them to have a clearer understanding of how their children are supported in class, particularly since staffing changes in July affected the delivery of the nurture group.
• It is important for us to clarify that there have been no changes made to the uniform policy since September. The school's uniform policy has remained the same in recent years.
• We want to continue to build a transparent and sharing relationship with parents. For instance, through sharing our Academy Improvement Plan at the start of the year. More work needs to be done in terms of how we share what your children will be learning across the year.
• Parents feel they would like to get more of sense of what is happening in school through the school X (Twitter) account. Work is underway in order to ensure we have adequate staff devices to 'tweet' as this is an area we have also identified as a development priority.