Manifold Church of England Academy

Parents as partners

"Parents and carers give the school their overwhelming support. They appreciate that the staff provide academic and social support that recognises pupils as individuals. 

The principal’s approach has secured the wholehearted support of parents. They appreciate the academic progress their children are making, and how easy the school makes communication. Above all, parents admire the sense that the staff ‘go the extra mile’ to help their children."

Ofsted, June 2018 

The term 'parents as partners' is about making parents and wider family members central to all that we do at Manifold Church of England Academy. The relationship between parents and their child's teacher is a very important one, second only to the relationship between child and teacher. Parents and educators should work as partners in order to ensure the child will have the best possible outcome.

At Manifold Church of England Academy, we recognise that parents provide a learning environment which is enduring and comprehensive. It begins even before birth, operates beyond the child’s day at the setting and provides continuity as the child transfers from one setting to another. Over 70% of children’s lives are spent, not in a setting, but with their family and the wider community. Therefore home and community must be recognised as significant learning environments in the lives of children.

Successful relationships between parents and educators can have long-lasting and beneficial effects on children’s learning and well-being. Successful relationships become partnerships when there is two-way communication and parents and practitioners really listen to each other and value each other’s views and support in achieving the best outcomes for each child. As such, we aim to ensure effective and regular communication with parents and carers, in order to work collaboratively and secure the best possible outcomes for all pupils. This communication takes the form of phone calls, emails, text messages and opportunities to meet. 

We greatly value any input, opinions and information parents can share with us about their child’s learning and progress. All families are given a home-school communication book to share daily news and information. We provide many other opportunities for parents and carers to take an active part in their child’s education.

These include:

• Open day events where parents are welcomed to join in with our sessions
• Grandparents lunch
• Facebook updates
• Weekly Worship and Celebration
• Parents are regularly invited into school to share in their child's learning. As part of this they will develop an understanding of the curriculum and celebrate achievement.
• We work closely with families to provide opportunities for workshops (e.g. phonics, reading).We have strong and effective relationships with other agencies, which enable us to support families and signpost additional sources of help with required.

Our family ethos is central to our school and as such, we operate an ‘Open Door Policy’ where parents are actively encouraged to meet with staff to discuss any concerns at the earliest opportunity. Mrs Ackers is usually available to answer any questions before and after school and a staff member is present on the door at the start and end of each day. 
Phone calls to the School Office are most welcome, where Mrs Virani will offer her assistance or will arrange an appointment with members of staff if requested.