We want to be able to bring out the best in your child. We will only be able to do this if there is a three-way partnership: parent/carers – child – school. A key point: our door is always open if you have a question that needs answering or a concern about your child that you wish to raise.

There are several ways in which we try to communicate key information to parents.

Website: www.staldhelms.co.uk

School Information for lots of key and statutory information

Calendar for diary dates

Latest News for whole school events and activities

Children and Classes page for information about learning in school and how you can support at home.

Whole school Monthly Newsletter: A whole school newsletter comes out each month to share and celebrate the learning, activities and events that have taken place at school. This is published on the school website and put up on our school notice board and a copy can be found in the entrance lobby.  This also includes updated diary dates.

Class Welcome and Termly Letters: These class letters provide information about the planned learning for your child’s class each term. They include: specific areas of learning for English, Maths and Science; enquiry project questions and curriculum coverage; and information on any specific events or educational trips that are planned. These will be posted on the website class pages.

Class Meetings/Specific Letters: Notification of class specific meetings or events will be sent as a letter via email. Where consent or payment is required, a link to Wisepay will be made.

Text alert service: We have had positive feedback about how useful this service is, so we’ll keep using it for ‘prompts’ about key events, as well as ‘newsflash notifications’.

Notice board outside school: This shows the latest newsletter, community information that involves school, and any crucial newsflashes

Phone-call or face to face meeting with teachers, Deputy Headteacher, SENCo or Headteacher: If we need to discuss things specific to your child, we’ll ask you to meet with us, or will call you. Equally, you are always welcome to approach or call the office to arrange a phone-call or meeting

If you drop off in the morning, and it’s something quick, then please speak to the class teacher. Alternatively, you can send a note in with your child, or email/phone the office, and they’ll pass a message on to the class teacher/ relevant person.  It is really important that we know if your child is being picked up by someone different: this information must be given direct to the teacher, or to the Office. We cannot simply take your child’s word, and will not release children to ‘unauthorised collectors’.

It is important to us that we work together to address any concerns about your child’s learning or wellbeing. Never be worried about broaching what might seem like a ‘small worry’ – it is much better to share these with us, so we can all work together to help your child be happy, confident and the best they can be.

For anything other than a ‘quick chat’, it is best to arrange a meeting with your child’s class teacher to discuss the matter of concern.  This can be done by approaching the class teacher directly, or by contacting the Office, requesting an appointment. This will allow the teacher to put aside an amount of time to meet with you and discuss the matter fully. The class teacher should always be your first port of call. If you still have unresolved concerns, then I would encourage you to make an appointment to meet with me, the Headteacher, or in my absence with my Deputy, Mrs Phillips.

What if parent/carers have a complaint?

Please follow the complaints procedure. See Complaints Policy under Policies on this website.

If the matter relates to your child, speak to their class teacher first.

If this doesn’t resolve the matter, speak to me as Head or Mrs Phillips as Deputy. 

If the complaint is about a school procedure, contact the head. You can email the head with the details of your concern via staldhelmshead@educ.somerset.gov.uk , or ideally make an appointment via the office to meet with the head in person. 

If you are still unhappy after meeting with the classteacher/deputy/head, you are able to write to the Chair of Governors. This step should only be taken after you have tried to resolve the matter with the school staff.

Supporting your child’s learning and development is the most important thing you can do, encouraging them with homework and attending relevant meetings where possible. You might also like to think about becoming an active member of the Friends of St Aldhelm’s (the PTA), or volunteering to work in school as a Parent/Carer helper. If you’d like to help with reading, with practical tasks, or to run an after-school club, please get in contact.