Introductory Statement
This policy was formulated, in consultation with the staff, parents and Parents’ Association, during Term 2 2023/24, and reflects ongoing practice in Ballyfin National School.
Rationale
This policy aims to enhance relationships between staff and parents in Ballyfin NS. It acknowledges that parental involvement in a school brings benefits to pupils, parents and teachers. This policy is written in the context of the Education Act, 1998 the Education Welfare Act, 2000 and Circular 24/91 which recognises parents as partners in education.
Relationship to the characteristic spirit of the school
Ballyfin NS seeks to enable each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment where the talents of each child are valued. This work can best be done where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils.
Aims:
We hope that this policy will support the maintenance of a school climate that:
Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association of Ballyfin NS is affiliated to the National Parents’ Council, and fulfils its role in accordance with Section 26, Education Act 1998. All parents are invited and encouraged to become actively involved in the Association. The principal or her representative is invited to all Parents’ Association Committee meetings to aid communication and co-ordination between the parents and staff.
The Parents’ Association supports and promotes the role of parents in Ballyfin NS, in consultation with the principal. It may offer advice to the principal and Board of Management on policy issues and as such is an important resource for the school.
The Parents’ Association’ fundraising activities are invaluable to the school, and ensure that school arranged activities are financially accessible to all children in the school. The fundraising events organised by the association also play an important role in aiding informal and friendly contacts between parents and staff of the school, and provide an opportunity for parents, especially those new to the community, to meet each other.
The Parents’ Association also provides practical assistance to the school from time-to-time through helping with the organisation of school events, maintenance matters etc. Members of the Parents’ Association may help the school liaise with other organisations in the locality. The Parents’ Association Committee has a role in facilitating education (e.g. arranging speakers, disseminating information) for the parent body, should they deem this appropriate.
All members of the Parents’ Association are reminded that the Parents’ Association is not a forum for complaint against either an individual parent or teacher. Any complaints should be made through the appropriate channels so as not to conflict the working of the Parents’ Association. See Complaints procedure.
Board of Management
The parents’ nominees on the Board of Management are appointed and fulfil their roles in accordance with the Governance Manual for Primary Schools. Parent nominees represent the voice of parents on the Board of Management, but they are not delegates of their electorates.
Vision / Mission and Aims
Parental support for the aims of the school is vital if they are to be achieved. It is expected that parents will co-operate with the school and its teachers in the holistic education of its pupils, and likewise the school commits to collaborate with parents in the best interests of all children in the school.
It is anticipated that with parents, staff and pupils working together Ballyfin NS will truly be a school of which everyone can ‘Be Proud’.
Organisational Policies
From time to time parents are asked to respond to or give their opinions on specific policy issues. This can take place via direct contact with individual parents, through the Parents’ Association or in conjunction with the parent nominees on the Board of Management. The school policies most likely to be of interest to parents are published on the school website, and all parents are welcome to request a copy of any school policy.
The school depends on the support of parents for the implementation of all its policies. In particular, parents are asked to ensure the punctuality and attendance of their children, and to help their children in complying with the healthy lunch, uniform and homework policies. Parents have access to information about their children which helps the school apply the Anti-Bullying, Code of Behaviour, Child Protection and Administration of Medicine procedures. Parental collaboration with teachers is essential in upholding the Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies. It is expected that communication between home and school on all issues, including contentious ones, takes place in a courteous manner, with an ongoing and mutual intention to resolve the issues in the best interests of all the children concerned.
Curricular Areas
By ensuring that their children come to school rested, fed and properly equipped for the school day, parents play an important role in ensuring that the schools’ curricular aims are achieved.
Class teachers are willing to discuss concerns parents might have, by appointment. At the annual parent-teacher meetings, the progress of individual children in each subject area is discussed. Teachers arrange other meetings with parents on curricular and other issues should the need arise.
Parents are consulted and make the final decision in relation to decisions such as obtaining an educational psychologist’s report, referring children to other agencies (except where Child Protection concerns suggest parental consent is not appropriate), applying for an Irish exemption or repeating a class.
Parents with particular knowledge or skills may be available to help the school in particular subject areas, for example:
Teachers are encouraged to engage with initiatives that support parents in becoming involved in their children’s learning. It is important that the benefits and disadvantages of all additional initiatives are considered carefully, to ensure that they support the curricular objectives of the school in a feasible, resource-efficient manner.
Special Educational Needs
See Special Education Policy for details.
Parents are informed once it is obvious that their children are having difficulties with their school work, and invited to contribute on a regular basis to the devising and reviewing of their child’s Student Support Plan.
As well as meeting parents early in the school year, SET teachers generally request a meeting with parents of the children in their case-load in February to discuss the mid-year review of the Student Support Files. As for classroom teachers, parents are always welcome to make an appointment with the SET teachers should the need arise. Parents are strongly advised to allow their children to benefit from the services offered by the SET teachers, in the best interests of their children.
Home school contact
The school frequently sends correspondence to parents via Aladdin and email, to the whole parent body and to groups or individual parents as appropriate. The school website and the text-a-parent service are used for general communication with parents. The school facilitates the Parents’ Association in communicating with parents by photocopying their notes and handing them out to the pupils, or by forwarding emails from them.
The school phone and office is generally attended during school hours (except for lunchtimes) and the school secretary contacts home on behalf of pupils when necessary. All parents are requested to provide the school office with their updated phone numbers so that they may be contacted rapidly in the case of an emergency, or for other reasons. If parents are away they are requested to provide details of an alternative contact. Parents can also contact the school office via email.
Staff are not expected to use their personal phone numbers or emails for school business. Parents are requested to use official school channels for all school-related communication.
Parent Teacher Communication
Each child’s class teacher is generally the first point of contact for parents, and the person with whom concerns or queries should be raised in the first instance. Teachers can be contacted via the school office, or through their school email addresses. Each staff member has a dedicated school email address ([email protected]). Staff members are not expected to engage with school emails in the evenings or during school closure periods. Generally emails are most useful for short, factual information exchange (e.g. reason for absence, suitable time for meeting etc.) A face-to-face meeting or telephone call is recommended when a conversation is required, and staff are advised not to enter into discussions via email or other electronic communication platforms (see School Email Statement of Practice). From first class each child has a homework notebook, which parents and teachers may also use to communicate with each other. Some staff members use ClassDojo or similar platforms to communicate with parents. Regardless of the format used, civility and good manners should characterise all communications between parents and teachers. Frequent, open communication is encouraged, so that any issues can be resolved quickly and to ensure that everyone is working together in the best interests of the child.
The formal parent-teacher meetings take place annually, usually in October. They provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to talk privately, without interruption. All reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the meetings are scheduled at a time convenient for the parents, and the meetings for siblings are usually scheduled consecutively to facilitate parents. The specific format of the meetings is at the discretion of individual teachers. Teachers facilitate separate meetings if requested due to family break-up etc. Should the scheduled slot not be long enough to allow for a discussion of all the issues raised, or should a follow-up meeting be required, the parent and teacher can arrange this.
Additional parent-teacher meetings take place throughout the year if the parents or teacher deem this necessary. Parents/guardians are always welcome to meet with the class teacher, SET teacher, principal or deputy principal, provided they make an appointment. It is important that parents inform staff of concerns about their children at an early stage so the school can support the children appropriately. Staff in Ballyfin NS always treat parents with courtesy and respect and expect parents to treat them similarly.
At the end of each school year a written report is sent to parents and a copy kept in the school. Teachers send duplicate copies of reports if requested. These reports are confidential and without prejudice.
Parents are invited to a variety of events in the school. It is very heartening for staff and pupils to see the good attendance that these days usually attract.
Parents are requested to provide an explanation if homework is not completed or if the child is not wearing the school uniform. Individual teachers may have other requirements regarding notes, signing notebooks, tests etc. which they communicate to parents at the start of each school year.
Home School Community Liaison, Rural Co-ordinator, Education Welfare Officer
At the present time Ballyfin NS does not have the services of a HSCL teacher or Rural co-ordinator. New enrolments are co-ordinated through the school office. The principal co-ordinates with the Parents’ Association in the organisation of events etc.
Parents are made aware at the start of each school year that the school is obligated to inform Tusla when a child has missed 20 school days, but generally explained and legitimate absences are not of concern to Tusla. The school makes a formal referral to the Education Welfare Officer when a child’s absences are of concern, and this is usually discussed with parents beforehand. An automated text service via Aladdin reminds parents when their children have missed 17, and then 20 days. Parents are expected to provide a written/emailed explanation for their child’s absences as soon as possible after the absence occurs.
Success Criteria
It is acknowledged that the implementation of a policy of parental involvement will be a continual and ongoing process. However, evidence of the following features in the school would indicate that the policy is operating successfully:
Roles and Responsibilities:
All parents are responsible for engaging with the school in the best interests of their children and the school community. All school staff are expected to facilitate this appropriate involvement.
Communication
All school staff and parents are aware of the provisions of this policy, and will be given a copy of it upon request.
Ratification
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on April 17th 2024.
This policy was formulated, in consultation with the staff, parents and Parents’ Association, during Term 2 2023/24, and reflects ongoing practice in Ballyfin National School.
Rationale
This policy aims to enhance relationships between staff and parents in Ballyfin NS. It acknowledges that parental involvement in a school brings benefits to pupils, parents and teachers. This policy is written in the context of the Education Act, 1998 the Education Welfare Act, 2000 and Circular 24/91 which recognises parents as partners in education.
Relationship to the characteristic spirit of the school
Ballyfin NS seeks to enable each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment where the talents of each child are valued. This work can best be done where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils.
Aims:
We hope that this policy will support the maintenance of a school climate that:
- Supports all members of the school community, especially its pupils.
- Has established procedures for the sharing of information in relation to pupil progress and attainment
- Enriches and extends the educational opportunities provided for pupils by accessing the skills and talents of parents
Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association of Ballyfin NS is affiliated to the National Parents’ Council, and fulfils its role in accordance with Section 26, Education Act 1998. All parents are invited and encouraged to become actively involved in the Association. The principal or her representative is invited to all Parents’ Association Committee meetings to aid communication and co-ordination between the parents and staff.
The Parents’ Association supports and promotes the role of parents in Ballyfin NS, in consultation with the principal. It may offer advice to the principal and Board of Management on policy issues and as such is an important resource for the school.
The Parents’ Association’ fundraising activities are invaluable to the school, and ensure that school arranged activities are financially accessible to all children in the school. The fundraising events organised by the association also play an important role in aiding informal and friendly contacts between parents and staff of the school, and provide an opportunity for parents, especially those new to the community, to meet each other.
The Parents’ Association also provides practical assistance to the school from time-to-time through helping with the organisation of school events, maintenance matters etc. Members of the Parents’ Association may help the school liaise with other organisations in the locality. The Parents’ Association Committee has a role in facilitating education (e.g. arranging speakers, disseminating information) for the parent body, should they deem this appropriate.
All members of the Parents’ Association are reminded that the Parents’ Association is not a forum for complaint against either an individual parent or teacher. Any complaints should be made through the appropriate channels so as not to conflict the working of the Parents’ Association. See Complaints procedure.
Board of Management
The parents’ nominees on the Board of Management are appointed and fulfil their roles in accordance with the Governance Manual for Primary Schools. Parent nominees represent the voice of parents on the Board of Management, but they are not delegates of their electorates.
Vision / Mission and Aims
Parental support for the aims of the school is vital if they are to be achieved. It is expected that parents will co-operate with the school and its teachers in the holistic education of its pupils, and likewise the school commits to collaborate with parents in the best interests of all children in the school.
It is anticipated that with parents, staff and pupils working together Ballyfin NS will truly be a school of which everyone can ‘Be Proud’.
Organisational Policies
From time to time parents are asked to respond to or give their opinions on specific policy issues. This can take place via direct contact with individual parents, through the Parents’ Association or in conjunction with the parent nominees on the Board of Management. The school policies most likely to be of interest to parents are published on the school website, and all parents are welcome to request a copy of any school policy.
The school depends on the support of parents for the implementation of all its policies. In particular, parents are asked to ensure the punctuality and attendance of their children, and to help their children in complying with the healthy lunch, uniform and homework policies. Parents have access to information about their children which helps the school apply the Anti-Bullying, Code of Behaviour, Child Protection and Administration of Medicine procedures. Parental collaboration with teachers is essential in upholding the Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies. It is expected that communication between home and school on all issues, including contentious ones, takes place in a courteous manner, with an ongoing and mutual intention to resolve the issues in the best interests of all the children concerned.
Curricular Areas
By ensuring that their children come to school rested, fed and properly equipped for the school day, parents play an important role in ensuring that the schools’ curricular aims are achieved.
Class teachers are willing to discuss concerns parents might have, by appointment. At the annual parent-teacher meetings, the progress of individual children in each subject area is discussed. Teachers arrange other meetings with parents on curricular and other issues should the need arise.
Parents are consulted and make the final decision in relation to decisions such as obtaining an educational psychologist’s report, referring children to other agencies (except where Child Protection concerns suggest parental consent is not appropriate), applying for an Irish exemption or repeating a class.
Parents with particular knowledge or skills may be available to help the school in particular subject areas, for example:
- Language: poet/author, member of drama group, etc.
- Mathematics: architect, builder, carpenter, accountant, etc.
- Arts: artist, actor, musician, dancer, etc.
- SPHE: public health nurse, dietician, guard, etc.
- SESE: laboratory technician, historian, town planner, etc.
- P.E: sportsperson, representatives from local sports groups, etc.
Teachers are encouraged to engage with initiatives that support parents in becoming involved in their children’s learning. It is important that the benefits and disadvantages of all additional initiatives are considered carefully, to ensure that they support the curricular objectives of the school in a feasible, resource-efficient manner.
Special Educational Needs
See Special Education Policy for details.
Parents are informed once it is obvious that their children are having difficulties with their school work, and invited to contribute on a regular basis to the devising and reviewing of their child’s Student Support Plan.
As well as meeting parents early in the school year, SET teachers generally request a meeting with parents of the children in their case-load in February to discuss the mid-year review of the Student Support Files. As for classroom teachers, parents are always welcome to make an appointment with the SET teachers should the need arise. Parents are strongly advised to allow their children to benefit from the services offered by the SET teachers, in the best interests of their children.
Home school contact
The school frequently sends correspondence to parents via Aladdin and email, to the whole parent body and to groups or individual parents as appropriate. The school website and the text-a-parent service are used for general communication with parents. The school facilitates the Parents’ Association in communicating with parents by photocopying their notes and handing them out to the pupils, or by forwarding emails from them.
The school phone and office is generally attended during school hours (except for lunchtimes) and the school secretary contacts home on behalf of pupils when necessary. All parents are requested to provide the school office with their updated phone numbers so that they may be contacted rapidly in the case of an emergency, or for other reasons. If parents are away they are requested to provide details of an alternative contact. Parents can also contact the school office via email.
Staff are not expected to use their personal phone numbers or emails for school business. Parents are requested to use official school channels for all school-related communication.
Parent Teacher Communication
Each child’s class teacher is generally the first point of contact for parents, and the person with whom concerns or queries should be raised in the first instance. Teachers can be contacted via the school office, or through their school email addresses. Each staff member has a dedicated school email address ([email protected]). Staff members are not expected to engage with school emails in the evenings or during school closure periods. Generally emails are most useful for short, factual information exchange (e.g. reason for absence, suitable time for meeting etc.) A face-to-face meeting or telephone call is recommended when a conversation is required, and staff are advised not to enter into discussions via email or other electronic communication platforms (see School Email Statement of Practice). From first class each child has a homework notebook, which parents and teachers may also use to communicate with each other. Some staff members use ClassDojo or similar platforms to communicate with parents. Regardless of the format used, civility and good manners should characterise all communications between parents and teachers. Frequent, open communication is encouraged, so that any issues can be resolved quickly and to ensure that everyone is working together in the best interests of the child.
The formal parent-teacher meetings take place annually, usually in October. They provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to talk privately, without interruption. All reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the meetings are scheduled at a time convenient for the parents, and the meetings for siblings are usually scheduled consecutively to facilitate parents. The specific format of the meetings is at the discretion of individual teachers. Teachers facilitate separate meetings if requested due to family break-up etc. Should the scheduled slot not be long enough to allow for a discussion of all the issues raised, or should a follow-up meeting be required, the parent and teacher can arrange this.
Additional parent-teacher meetings take place throughout the year if the parents or teacher deem this necessary. Parents/guardians are always welcome to meet with the class teacher, SET teacher, principal or deputy principal, provided they make an appointment. It is important that parents inform staff of concerns about their children at an early stage so the school can support the children appropriately. Staff in Ballyfin NS always treat parents with courtesy and respect and expect parents to treat them similarly.
At the end of each school year a written report is sent to parents and a copy kept in the school. Teachers send duplicate copies of reports if requested. These reports are confidential and without prejudice.
Parents are invited to a variety of events in the school. It is very heartening for staff and pupils to see the good attendance that these days usually attract.
Parents are requested to provide an explanation if homework is not completed or if the child is not wearing the school uniform. Individual teachers may have other requirements regarding notes, signing notebooks, tests etc. which they communicate to parents at the start of each school year.
Home School Community Liaison, Rural Co-ordinator, Education Welfare Officer
At the present time Ballyfin NS does not have the services of a HSCL teacher or Rural co-ordinator. New enrolments are co-ordinated through the school office. The principal co-ordinates with the Parents’ Association in the organisation of events etc.
Parents are made aware at the start of each school year that the school is obligated to inform Tusla when a child has missed 20 school days, but generally explained and legitimate absences are not of concern to Tusla. The school makes a formal referral to the Education Welfare Officer when a child’s absences are of concern, and this is usually discussed with parents beforehand. An automated text service via Aladdin reminds parents when their children have missed 17, and then 20 days. Parents are expected to provide a written/emailed explanation for their child’s absences as soon as possible after the absence occurs.
Success Criteria
It is acknowledged that the implementation of a policy of parental involvement will be a continual and ongoing process. However, evidence of the following features in the school would indicate that the policy is operating successfully:
- Benefits to pupil learning resulting from greater parental involvement.
- Parental involvement is increased in school activities
- Positive feedback from parents/staff
Roles and Responsibilities:
All parents are responsible for engaging with the school in the best interests of their children and the school community. All school staff are expected to facilitate this appropriate involvement.
Communication
All school staff and parents are aware of the provisions of this policy, and will be given a copy of it upon request.
Ratification
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on April 17th 2024.
