Dear Parents

LOCAL AUTHORITY QUESTIONNAIRE 2009

As promised in the Friday Letter, I am now writing with the results of the questionnaire that over 300 of you completed last term.  We have run this questionnaire, which is analysed independently, for a number of years now and the results are discussed at the Parents Forum and help us to reflect on how we can improve our partnership with parents still further.

There are 10 features from the 24 questions that you think are particularly strong at St Thomas Aquinas.  The maximum score is 2 and the minimum is - 2.

Ten Strongest Features

School reports give me helpful information about my child's progress                                                 1.76

As a parent I feel welcome in the school                                                                                               1.68

Meetings between parents and teachers are helpful and informative                                                    1.67

Staff, parents and pupils all play a part in making the school better                                                     1.66

There are opportunities for all pupils to take part in extra curricular activities                                      1.62

My child is encouraged to work to the best of his/her ability                                                               1.61

Teachers promote good behaviour in this school                                                                                   1.60

I find it easy to discuss my child's progress with school staff                                                              1.59

Teachers in this school believe all children can learn                                                                             1.57

The school makes it clear to parents what standard of work it expects from the pupils                       1.56

There are two features that fall below a score of 1 and, therefore, need particular attention.

I have a clear idea of the role and responsibilities of the school governors                                           0.41

The school has explained to me how I can help my child's learning at home                                       0.96

The issues of lack of awareness is not new and is shared by other schools.  Nevertheless, we are committed to raising parents' awareness of the work of the school's governing body and to that end a committee of governors is currently preparing information that we shall be publishing on the website (along with pictures!) before Christmas.

Parents supporting children's learning at home is a very important issue.  By Christmas all parents will have access to their children's records in school online and we believe this will be a huge step forward in enabling parents to support their children more effectively at home.  It is an issue that I shall write to you about again in the Spring Term.

You may be aware that pupils also completed a general questionnaire last term and in the past few weeks have completed another one on the issue of safety in the school.  I shall write to you in a few weeks' time with the results of these questionnaires.  Finally, I would like to thank all our parents for your continuing support of our school.  It really is the key to success for your children.  Please write or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to comment on any aspect of our partnership with parents.

With best wishes

Jim Foley

HEADTEACHER