MINUTES
Cherwell PTA & Parent
Forum
30th October
2018
8:00-9:30 pm Training Room
- North Site
Present - Cherwell
School: Chris Price (head)
Present - Parents: Sarah Phibbs, Emma Baxter-Graf, Lana
Strmecki, Jane Patton, Zoe Martin, Rosie Callaghan, Rosaleen Cunningham, Hemara
Earl, Claire Venard, Michael McDonough, Alex Thomas, Massimo Ghiradani,
Elsamannoudi Ihab, Halawani Laila, Milica Vezmor, Julia Drown, Rachel Hoh, Ruth
Darso, Alex Cheetham, Silvia Elsner, Suke Wolton, Felice Nassar, Kim Polgreen, Becca
Hodgson.
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PARENT FORUM
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1.
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Introduction
to the Evening: Purpose and Format
Sarah Phibbs
outlined the format and purpose of the evening.
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Action by
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2.
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Chris Price
(Head) introduced the history and context of the School Development Plan
(SDP) which consisted of 3-year rolling plans.
Explained
School Ethos – Opportunity, Responsibility & Excellence.
Key Area 1
KS3 - Encourage
‘intentionality’ to ensure appropriately specific teaching and
assessment is performed.
Key Area 2
To focus on explanation.
To Explain well and appropriately to the students.
Key Area 3
KS5 behaviours. Improvement in behaviours reflects
improvement in other aspects of learning.
Key Area 4
Improve student
wellbeing. Biannual Survey is the key source of feedback.
Collaborate
with The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools/Leeds
Beckett University.
The school is
high performing in the league tables but has poor facilities.
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3.
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Table
Discussions to identify key questions of common interest. Answered by Chris
Price.
Communication
in homework (timing and content)
Some parents
felt there was too much/too little homework. All children have reading
homework every day. There was a drive within the school to move towards
specific valued homework rather than pointless tasks. Students were asked to
do more reviewing and revision activities. Each faculty has its own homework
policies and the School was working to bring all the faculties’ homework
policies up to an excellent standard.
All children
were taught how to use their planner to record homework. Teachers set homework at the start of the
lessons.
Apps such as
‘show my homework’ were discussed but it was suggested that this would put
the onus of organising the homework onto the parents.
Homework was
being discussed in the ‘Student Impact Governors Committee’
Communication
of activities (during and after school).
The current
methods of communication for parents where listed.
There is a
non-teaching deputy year leader who is always available by email or phone.
The school
produces a weekly bulletin which specifies school activities.
The school
were looking at writing “a brochure” to list all extra-curricular activities,
which will be available to parents soon.
What is
the School doing to combat drugs and knives at school?
Drugs:
Difficulties
were voiced as there was a high level of drugs in Oxford - especially
cannabis. Age appropriate education in social wellbeing and visits by professionals.
Talks to the Six-Form.
If
appropriate, the school will operate its right to search for drugs and
knives.
The school
works with agencies who give advice to older children.
Knives
Currently
there was very little evidence of knives in school although it was
acknowledged that drugs and knife crime were often linked.
The school is
involved in the ‘County Lines’ project with Thames Valley Police.
The school
was asked what it was doing to use younger people to help.
The school
tried to use professionals from specific service providers rather than
relying on teachers. The school ran a
peer listening scheme.
Chris Price
emphasised that the school relied on parents to inform them if they hear
anything.
The next
issue of Cherwell Being was going to focus on Drugs.
What was
the School doing to promote healthy eating?
Chris Price
stated that he had met with the Catering Company ‘Caterlink’ who were well
managed and pushing a healthy eating agenda.
There were strict rules on sugar and salt addition to food. The School held assemblies on healthy
eating and discussed the environmental impact on their food.
A purpose
built canteen is needed.
Long View
of Students Education
There were
three key stages in Cherwell
KS 3 (years
7-9). At the end, students make their
options for GCSE.
KS4 (years
10-11) At the end students take their GCSEs
KS5 (6th
Form). 2/3rds students go
onto to full time education at the school while 1/3rd go onto to
other educational providers or apprenticeships.
The structure
was on the School Website under the curriculum links.
The Year
Group Reps can be used to coordinate these queries.
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PTA AGM
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Fundraising Presentation
Alex Thomas
summarised that Cherwell was a high achieving school but had deficiencies in its
facilities. A sports hall, dining room
study spaces were needed as well as improvements and building to create a
more present environment for the Students.
He summarised similar fundraising activities in other schools.
He presented
a list of vacancies in the Fundraising team and asked for volunteers to take
on roles.
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Parent Engagement
Hemara Earl
introduced herself and the three key aspects of the PTA. Parent Engagement was key. She asked for volunteers for Parent Reps.
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AGM Business - Election of a new Committee - and PTA
Business
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·
Minutes
of the 21st November 2017 – PTA AGM - Approved
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Accounts
(2017-18) - Approved
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Auditor
– Jo King – Approved
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Chair
– Alex Thomas – Approved
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Treasurer
– Rosie Callaghan - Approved
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Secretary
– Becca Hodgson – Approved
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Year
Reps – Hemara Earl and Kim Polgreen – Approved
£10,000 of
funds in PTA Account should move to the Development Office Account (£4,000 to
remain in PTA Account) – Approved.
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Next PTA Event is the 7th
December – Winter Festival.
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