Community Collaboration

Agenda items discussed

Actions Agreed

Differences this will make to our students

Agenda items discussed

Actions Agreed

Differences this will make to our students

Agenda items discussed

Actions Agreed

Differences this will make to our students

Agenda items discussed

• Summary of Actions from Previous Forum (please see 8th July link).
• Homework – discussion on the various forms of communication for homework and how consistency would support students in understanding and remembering their work.
• Engagement in George Spencer Classrooms – how we monitor and ensure all classrooms put SEND students at the centre of the learning.
• Updates on the our ‘Climate Action Plan’ shared – explanation of carbon reduction plans and opportunities for a ‘greener’ George Spencer site.

Actions Agreed

• Share an update at the next forum following the success of the new  ‘Meet your Learning Manager’ evening for Year 7.
• A continued update on the Climate Action Plan with a focus on how students have become involved with looking at the natural world in school.
• Staff to remind students of their Google Classroom codes to support with access.
• Discuss ways to help parents understand how to use Google Classroom as a platform.

Differences this will make to our students

• Meet your Learning Manager evening for Year 7 will support transition from Primary school and support communication with families.
• Student involvement in the climate action plan will help develop greater community awareness on the importance of our environment and natural world.
• Ensuring all students have access to and know how to use Google Classrooms so all information can be shared to support learning.
• Clarity of homework systems will support all students in meeting deadlines and completing tasks which support learning.

Agenda items discussed

• Share an update at the next forum from the  ‘Meet your Learning Manager’ evening for Year 7.
• A continued update on the Climate Action Plan with a focus on the ‘nature corridor’
• Looking at how we use our data to help identify any patterns which could be an indicator of students who need additional support.
• Exploring how we can improve the format of letters which are sent home.

Actions Agreed

• Share an update at the next forum following the success of the new  ‘Meet your Learning Manager’ evening for Year 7.
• A continued update on the Climate Action Plan with a focus on how students have become involved with looking at the natural world in school.
• Staff to remind students of their Google Classroom codes to support with access.
• Discuss ways to help parents understand how to use Google Classroom as a platform.

Differences this will make to our students

• To evaluate the positive outcomes and look at how this could be implemented in future years.
• Community involvement in the climate action plan by helping with the development of our nature corridor.
• Data will continue to be used by the school to be proactive in helping the wellbeing teams identify early opportunities for interventions with students who may not come forward.
• Continue our strong partnership with parents through reflecting on the language of letters and alerts sent through the new Arbor system.

Agenda items discussed

• Summary of actions from previous forum (see 3rd December link).
• Discussion on how positive points are allocated following the migration to Arbor.
• Discussion on how sports facilities on site are used by the wider community.
• Exploring strategies to increase parent engagement and feedback beyond the parent forum.

Actions Agreed

• Communication about the removal of daily ‘getting the basics right’ points and the relative adjustment to cash in reward tariffs.
• PE department to continue to build connections with local community groups using GSA sports facilities.
• SLT to review and explore different opportunities to increase opportunities for parents to share their voice considering low numbers at parent forum’s over time.

Differences this will make to our students

• Students will continue to feel recognised for meeting the core values and feel motivated to gain positive points in school.
• Increase in opportunities for students and the wider community to engage in sporting activities on the GSA site.
• Families will have more opportunities to engage with school life and contribute to the school community strengthening our partnership.

Agenda items discussed

• Summary of actions from previous forum (see 2nd February link
• Recording homework – discussion around current homework routines and expectations.
• Student belonging – continuing to develop a strong culture of belonging at GSA.
• Year 11 and Year 13 exams – communication of the available support during public examinations.

Actions Agreed

• Continue to embed a consistent approach of recording homework across KS3 and KS4 lessons using planners.
• Continue to create opportunities to gather student voice on the culture of belonging at GSA.
• Ensure clear communication to students around the ‘why’ behind school routines and the school values.

Differences this will make to our students

• Students will have a clear understanding of homework expectations and feel supported to work independently at home.
• Students will feel recognised for their contributions to the school community.
• The school values will be consistently embedded into every aspect of school life.

Agenda items discussed

• Summary of actions from previous forum (see 23rd March link)
• Discussion of how second hand uniforms can be collected and redistributed.
• Discussion of the exam support offered to students, including revision and wellbeing.
• Reviewing the climate action plan.

Actions Agreed

• Promote and run uniform swap-shops for second hand uniform at in-school events throughout the academic year.
• Continue to communicate with parents to provide an outline of the content to be revised for upcoming assessments.
• Continue to establish connections within the local community to the access the sports facilities by community groups.

Differences this will make to our students

• Families will have more opportunities to access second hand uniforms.
• Students and families will feel supported throughout their preparation for, and during assessment periods.
• Increasing opportunities for students and the wider community to engage in sports activities on the GSA site.

Summary of Actions from Previous Forum

• Curriculum booklets have been updated with new staff emails and updated website links.
• New learning managers for Year 7 were introduced to students before September on a video message and parents had the opportunity to meet them at the Year 6 information evening

Actions Agreed

• SLT link for each forum will be included when asking for agenda items for the next forum
• A wider variety of opportunities for community engagement will be explored
• Reflection on how we introduce new Learning Managers for next academic year

Differences this will make to our students

• Parent forums can focus on particular areas for more informative feedback to help positive changes for our students
• More opportunities will be provided for more students to get the benefits of visiting the community
• A stronger partnership between parents, Learning Managers and students

Agenda Items Discussed

• Summary of Actions from Previous Forum (please see 8th October link)
• Safeguarding – safeguarding issues would parents like further advice from the school about, including vaping and county lines
• Positive Learning Environment – feedback given on consistency and use of behaviour system is being used in and out of classrooms and how to improve the recognition of the Excellence Award.

Actions Agreed

• Previous agenda item suggestions to be included when relevant SLT member attending forum
• Safeguarding information around social media, vaping and county lines to be shared through weekly and half-termly updates to parents
• Ensuring positive PARS points are consistently given and review of recognising Gold and Silver in the Excellence Award

Difference this will make to our students

• By providing parents with safeguarding information on relevant topics, students will be at reduced risk from dangers online, vaping and county lines
• Students will be consistently rewarded for their positive behaviour in every lesson
• Students’ extra-curricular activities will have increased recognition and students will feel more motivated to complete the Excellence Award

Agenda Items Discussed

• Summary of Actions from Previous Forum (please see 3rd December link)
• Ways to continue to build parent partnerships – communication with learning managers and pastoral team
• Behaviour expectations – use of the behaviour system in classroom and ensuring consistency

Actions Agreed

• Improving the consistency of positive communications from Learning Managers to parents
• Continued monitoring of the behaviour system across the school ensuring consistency
• Promoting and expanding the uniform swap shop so that more items are available on parents’ evenings

Difference this will make to our students

• Students will have more positive communication about their learning experiences shared with home
• Students will feel that the behaviour for learning is the same across all of their classes
• All students have the opportunity to use the swap shop for uniform

Agenda Items Discussed

• Summary of Actions from Previous Forum (please see 3rd February link)
• Exam and assessment preparation – the offer the school provides to ensure students feel prepared for their assessments, especially at KS4.
• Trips and Visits – ensuring the offer of trips and visits is fair to all students.

Actions Agreed

• Ensure all Year 10 students know of and have access to GCSE Pod.
• Communication of students places on trips is timely.
• Exploring more areas for covered seating.

Difference this will make to our students

•  Students will be able to build good revision and independent study habits in preparation for Year 11.
• Students are aware of all details of trips in a timely manner in order to prepare beforehand.
• Students will have more areas to socialise and eat in poorer weather.

Agenda Items Discussed

•  Summary of Actions from Previous Forum (please see 24th March link)
• Homework – Key Stage 3 homework policy and how homework is communicated home
• Transition – how to ensure a successful Year 6 to Year 7 transition and supporting Year 9 students in preparation to start GCSEs
• Extra-Curricular – trips, clubs and wider opportunities

Actions Agreed

• Increase communication with parents/carers around the purpose and format of homework at Key Stage 3
• Expand opportunities to check in with students and families on how they are settling in to Year 7 post transition to ensure students feel happy and safe
• Ensure measures are put in place to improve confidentiality at progress evening appointments

Difference this will make to our students

• Students will understand the purpose of their homework which will help them become more independent learners
• Year 7 students will feel more confident in Year 7
• Students and parents will be able to conduct conversations confident in the knowledge that it will not inadvertently be overheard

Agenda Items Discussed

• Summary of Actions from Previous Forum (please see 14th May link)
• Take your child to work day for Year 9
• Learning in the classroom – what does this look like at George Spencer Academy?
• Year 11 pathways and Sixth Form entry criteria

Actions Agreed

• Feedback from take your child to work day used when planning careers events for Key Stage 3 next year the opportunities are practically available to more students
• Reminder to students in September of behaviour steps regarding uniform infringements.
• Review of the use of Google Forms to ensure that families receive responses when forms completed

Difference this will make to our students

• Students will have more opportunities to learn about future careers and pathways to help them decide their next steps
• Students will feel safe in school with a positive learning environment that is consistent in all classrooms
• Families will have more information regarding school events and trips that students are attending

Agenda Items Discussed

• School trips – where could information be found about trips including when they would take place and the year groups who would be involved.
• Extra-curricular offer – an update on the extra-curricular clubs on offer and who these were available to. Additionally, whether all sports clubs were competitive and where information about clubs could be found for parents.
• GCSE Pathways – what was the process of GCSE Pathways and when were the key dates that parents should be aware of

Agreed Actions

• An overview document of the trips that will be run throughout the year has been updated on the school website and signposted through the weekly update. The Senior Leadership Team are discussing including estimated costs for these trips to help families plan ahead.
• The extra-curricular clubs tab on the school website has been signposted through the weekly update. This tab includes when clubs are running and which year groups can be involved.
• Important dates surrounding the Year 9 pathway process will be shared through the weekly updates sent to parents.

Difference this will make to our students

• Students will be able to know what trips are available throughout the year and discuss these opportunities with parents
• Students will be able to explore the different extra-curricular opportunities they can get involved in throughout the week and discuss with parents any clubs that take place after-school
• Year 9 students will have a clear understanding of the support available to them as they begin to decide which GCSE pathway they choose

Agenda Items Discussed

• Summary of actions taken from the previous meeting (see the 10^th October link)
• Student wellbeing and safety – the timings of the school day and length of break times, how to help students with the transition from Year 6 to Year 7 from a wellbeing perspective and impact of new online system for reporting bullying were discussed
• Parental and Community Engagement – feedback was given on different ways and opportunities for parents to come into school and see what their children are doing

Agreed Actions

• The format of the parent survey has been changed to be a paper-based form which will be handed out at progress evenings. This new form will include with more opportunities for free-form answers as well as more year group specific feedback.
• A summary of the discussions in the parent forums, and actions taken based on these discussions, will be shared on the parent forum tab of the school website
• More opportunities for parents to come into school to see what their children are getting involved with are being planned into the school calendar. These events will be communicated in advance to parents on both Parent Mail and Facebook.

Difference this will make to our students

Students will be able to show their parents with pride what they have been achieving and getting involved with in school

Agenda Items Discussed

• Summary of actions taken from previous forum (please see 19^th March link)
• Support for additional needs – reflection on relaunch of the SEND culture, discussion around all teachers being aware of the SEND needs of students including supply teachers, how to use chromebooks and Google Classroom more effectively to support SEND learners
• Low level disruption – shared the updates to the classroom behaviour system to decrease low level disruptions in classrooms. Discussed the impact of supply teachers on low level disruption in classrooms, tackling low level disruption between lesson and in the lower site lunch queue.
• Supply teachers – how timetabling and use of SLT support is being used to minimise impact of supply teachers on classes, awareness of particular subjects where supply teachers were being used more regularly and the impact on students.

Agreed Actions

• Exploring how Chromebooks and Google Classroom can be used more effectively to support learners with additional needs.
• Increased presence of SLT around the lower site lunch queue to improve the experience for students and tackle any poor behaviour.
• National advert for permanent cover supervisors currently live and use of timetabling to minimise the use of external supply. Daily learning walks carried out to ensure behaviour expectations are consistent in all classrooms including those covered by suppy teacher.

Difference this will make to our students

• SEND learners are receiving more personalised adaptation to their learning depending on their needs using
• Improved students experience of the canteen at break times
• Students continue to receive high quality teaching regardless of staff absence

Summary of actions taken from previous forum (please see 15th May link)

• Communication of curriculum with parents – positive feedback on the curriculum booklets but opportunities to keep these more up to date and to gain more feedback from parents on different aspects of the curriculum
• Feedback on the Parent Forum – reflection on the timing, online format and structure of the forum. The timing and online format of the forum will continue next year and there will be a focus to increase the number of parents attending and promotion with new parents joining in the new academic year

• Curriculum booklets to be updated with new staff emails and updated website links
• Exploration of different ways to get feedback from more parents such as increased advertisement of the parent forums
• Communication increased between new learning managers and families

• Students will be able to access the curriculum even when not physically in school and discuss their learning at home
• Students will benefit from the true partnership between George Spencer Academy and their parents
• Students will benefit from the increased partnership between their families at home and learning managers in school