Welcome to the page that has been included in our school website as a result of the feedback received from the parents at Werneth School. We really value your comments and view and openly invite all parents, guardians and carers to our 'Parents Forum' meetings that are held regularly throughout the year. If you cannot make these meetings please feel free to email any of the family managers with your ideas. We will do our best to provide a solution.
Please use the navigation bar to the right to view documents that contain parent information for all years.
To view some of these files you may need to download a PDF reader.
We are working towards Listening School’s status and are heavily involved in the Healthy School’s project; both of these initiatives reflect the value that we place upon the ‘Whole Child’. We aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for all sections of our community, which not only includes students, but also, their families.
There are many ways in which we can help, from straightforward advice to more complicated referrals which involve other agencies. The parents waiting room is an information point, here you will find many of the leaflets listed in this Handbook, as well as leaflets relating to community services and events. Information leaflets are available to students in the PSE room and elements of the PSE Programme signpost students to sources of advice and information.
Sometimes factors beyond a student’s control can impact on their life in school, or students can find it difficult to manage their emotions and behaviour, however these issues must not become a barrier to their achievement and the achievement’s of others. With this in mind, we have a wide range of strategies to help students and where necessary their families, to overcome these barriers to students learning and achieving their potential.
Having Learning Mentors allows school to provide a variety of supports for students emotional and behavioural needs.
We know that we don’t have all the answers and so it is necessary to work with other agencies that have more experience and expertise in a particular field. At certain times we may deem it necessary to work with some of the following outside agencies.
The school nurse is not employed by school, but by the local Primary Care Trust. She ensures that the School Health Service Programme is delivered through school or the clinic. This includes:
Year 7 - Vision Assessments; Near, Distant and Colour Vision
Year 8 - Heaf testing and BCG Vaccination if necessary
Year 10 – Leavers Boosters, which includes Oral Polio, Diphtheria and tetanus by injection and the Measles, Mumps and Rubella jab will also be offered.
Consent from parents, guardians or carers is required for all immunisations. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school nurse (details available in school). If you do not wish for your child to be part of the School Health Service, please inform the Nurse in writing.
The Nurse also runs a Drop In service on an allocated lunchtime. It enables students to see her about general health issues with which they may require confidential advice and support.
We work in partnership with Social Services for the benefit of both Students and Parents/Carers. Initially people can feel intimidated by their involvement, however Social Care work hard to support families and keep them together. Sometimes we may refer to them in order to access family support services or it may be regarding Child Protection, whereby we have a legal obligation to inform them if we feel that a child is at risk of harm.
As a result of the Government’s Green Paper ‘Every Child Matters’ it is felt that in order to protect children and young people more information should be shared between professionals. If we need to share information about your child we will seek your consent, however this will not be done if it puts a child at risk of further harm. We always try to attend the Reviews for ‘Looked after Children’. These are organised by Social Care
We can directly refer to the CAMH service when students are suffering from mental health problems, emotional problems or have experienced some form of trauma which has impacted on their life. Any referral will be made in consultation with you, and your GP will be consulted / informed. CAMHS will either work with the young person individually or the whole family.
Our Education Welfare Officer is Mrs Fiona Reynolds. She ensures that students attend school and will assist families with attendance issues. She is in school at least twice a week, during this time she performs register checks and meets with the Attendance officer and pastoral staff. Mrs Reynolds will also meet parents both in school and at home.
Young Carers is a charitable, voluntary organisation, which helps young people who are looking after or helping to look after someone at home. They may be caring for someone who has a disability, a mental health problem, a long term illness, a drug/alcohol problem or someone who is frail and elderly. Young Carers provide help and support in the forms of relaxation, opportunities for trips or giving the young person the chance to sit and have a chat and a cuppa! Referrals to Young Carers can be made through school.
The Connexions service is available for all 13-19 year olds. It provides up to date information and guidance for young people including information about careers and post 16 opportunities. Each school has a Connexions Personal Adviser who comes into school weekly and either talks to students on an individual basis or in small groups. Connexions aim to identify young people who are at risk, and use a multi-agency approach to provide individual support and meet a wide range of student needs.
Some effective parental partnership strategies include:
Parents’ Evenings & PFS day are one of the best opportunities for you to meet teachers to discuss how your child is doing; it is important for you to attend Parents’ Evenings & PFS Day. At Werneth School we operate an appointment system and it is best to make sure you are armed with questions! Remember, Parents’ Evenings & PFS Days are a two way process ~ while parents want and need to know how their child is doing, this is also an opportunity for teachers to learn how your child acts at home, for instance their approach to homework, and to make suggestions to parents on how they can help with their child’s learning.
You might want to get a copy of the superb booklet from the DCfS (Department for Education and Skills) called ‘Making the most of Parents’ Evenings’ ~ copies are available from the Parent Information Centre at school or you can order a copy directly from the DCfS (0845 6022260). This booklet will help you make the most of Parents’ Evenings. It looks at preparing for Parents’ Evenings, making the most of your time with teachers, setting targets and helping your child after Parents’ Evenings.
Our policy has always been to seek very strong home-school partnerships providing the best possible start in life for your child.
For many years, educational research has supported the conclusion that parental involvement in a child’s education positively affects students, parents and communities. This influence includes:
PARENTAL RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES: A Brief Summary
Parents have a duty to ensure that their children of compulsory school age receive efficient, full-time education that is suitable to their:
The home-school agreement is a document that spells out the responsibilities of the school and the parents. It also contains information on what the school expects of its students. All state schools should have a written home-school agreement, which explains the aims and values of the school.
Children achieve more when schools and parents work together, so this agreement will help you to work with your child’s school.
We believe that parents’ involvement in their child’s education matters. As such we are currently working towards achieving the Leading Parent Partnership Award. This Award will help us to focus our partnership with parents upon improving educational attainment, improving attendance and behaviour, and motivating further your child. We are really excited about this new initiative and welcome your support. If you would like to be involved in this process please contact me at school on 01614941222 or by e-mail joanne.dee@wernethschool.com
What your children say about parental involvement
In March 2008 we asked your children what they thought about parental involvement in education. Here are some of the key findings ….
68% thought their parents/guardians/carers would like to be more involved in their education
73% thought that parents/guardians/carers who are involved in their child’s education make a difference to their examination results
