Menu
locked unlocked translate search
Home Page

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School

Inspiration, Celebration and Education

How can St Thomas More Catholic Primary School improve

From the responses the main points have been listed below.  Some suggestions have been implemented already and together - we can continue to improve the school for your child/children.  Thank you

 

  • More school trips.  Trips have been affected greatly by the Covid pandemic and our first priority is always pupil safety.  We have had some trips go ahead in between lockdowns but really look forward going back to our normal plan of one trip every term.  We love trips too!!
  • Gymnastic equipment.  We will investigate improving our gym equipment.
  • Parking and traffic outside school.  We need road markings, signage and flashing speed lights.  We have contacted GCC and the Highways Agency regarding implementing a No Parking Zone between certain times, a school crossing patrol person, a zebra crossing, respraying the zig-zag lines, looking at the possibility of making the road a one-way street.  We have also written to parents regarding parking outside school on the zig-zag lines and pulling up in the road.
  • More information about the curriculum.  There is a wealth of information regarding the curriculum on our website with information for every year group.  The questionnaires showed that parents do not use the website very often so we will resume the termly Class Newsletter for every class and these will be sent out in the next week.
  • More lessons about practical knowledge, healthy eating, exercises, financial education, self-help, self-development, long-life learning.  More education about the environment and sustainability.  All of these topics are included in our PSHE curriculum and children have weekly lessons.  Please see the website for more detailed information, especially under the Personal Development tab.
  • More communication about dates.  School term dates were sent out at the beginning of the year and dates and events for the year ahead are also displayed on the website.  Teachers also send out Class Dojo messages nearer the date as a reminder or for more detailed information.
  • Recognition for those who regularly do good work - not just those who improve.  We have weekly Celebration Assemblies every Friday where pupils in every class are given certificates for our school ICE values - Inspiration, Celebration & Education.  We also give out reading and writing certificates weekly and are just about to introduce stickers for our faith values of being a good friend, being polite and always trying your best.
  • Earlier communication about trips.  We will try to ensure that communication about trips is given out at least four weeks before any trip.  Sometimes opportunities come up which have a shorter notice period, but we will try and let you know as soon as we can.
  • More spaces in after-school clubs and more after-school clubs - especially for Year 1 and Year 2.  Every teacher runs an after-school or lunchtime club but we are limited to numbers by ration and classroom size.  We are investigating the possibility of having an After-School Club which will be run by an outside company.  Please look out for further information and a parent survey regarding this in the next few weeks.
  • School events e.g. school fetes.  Unfortunately we have been unable to hold our Christmas and Summer fetes due to the Covid pandemic and lockdowns.  It has also affected other whole school events like Sports Day and School Productions.  As soon as we are able to, we will be re-introducing all these events but we have to follow national and local guidelines to keep children, parents and staff as safe as possible.
  • Celebrating charity days e.g. Red Nose Day, Children in Need.  We are very aware of not asking parents to support too many charities, especially in these difficult times.  However we do support these events without asking for contributions e.g. wearing Pudsey merchandise, Red Noses and odd socks for mental health.
  • Open the gate earlier in the morning as some parents need to be at work by 9am.  This is a difficult situation as the playgrounds are not supervised before 8.45am as staff are preparing for the school day.  We did try this before but unfortunately children were left unsupervised in the school grounds and this then becomes a safeguarding issue as they can be injured or can leave the school premises.  We do have a Breakfast Club every morning from 7.30am if you need to bring your child to school earlier than 8.45am in the morning.
  • Information about the choice of food for school meals.  Menus are available on the school website under the Parents tab.
  • Behaviour on the playground.  We have launched a new initiative called Positive Play Times where Upper Key Stage 2 children are training to become Well-Being leaders and encourage games and kindness on the playground.  
  • Musical Instruments e.g. piano and violin lessons.  We are investigating with Gloucestershire Music Service to provide after-school music lessons.  Currently in school Year 4 are receiving clarinet tuition in school but we would like to extend our provision with a selection of musical instruments in other year groups. 
  • Forest School.  We will investigate this further.
  • Communication with parents - more photos about what my child is doing in school.  Teachers use Class Dojo to share day-to-day information and provide information about events and trips.

 

As you can see, your suggestions are welcomed to ensure we continue to provide the highest possible outcomes for your children.

 

Thank you

 

Top