From September 1999 all schools must have in place a home-school agreement which is signed by the pupils, the parent(s) or guardians and the school.
At the Harris we have tried to make sure that our home-school agreement is based on common sense and practicality and offers an opportunity for the school and all caring parents to reaffirm their commitment to the pupils’ best interest and development.
We hope that pupils will be reminded of the purpose and importance of attending school and working hard. We also hope that the agreement will help foster a good relationship between the school, the pupil and parents. It is only when we work in partnership that the pupils gain the most.
Signing the agreement helps show teachers that you support the aims of the school and what we are trying to do for your children. Parents cannot be compelled to sign the agreement but failure to sign does not provide exemption from any of the normal rules that apply to anybody else in the school.
The agreement refers to a number of aspects of school life which we would like to try and explain.
First, attendance: it has been shown that regular attendance is extremely important. Children who miss lessons find it difficult to make up what they have missed and teachers find it difficult to ensure that missed work is covered to the depth that it would have been originally.
There is, of course, a legal requirement for children of school age to attend every session that the school is open and to give an explanation for any absence. Any absences, which are not for a good reason, have to be recorded as unauthorised. The law is explicit in expecting parents to be responsible for seeing that children attend school in a fit state and remain in attendance throughout the daily sessions.
Second, uniform: the school governors and parents meetings have in the past established that the school should have a dress code, which specified a uniform policy. It is thought that this helps children to identify with the school, avoids expensive competition and helps give the school and the children a smart appearance. We have often received positive comments from members of the public as to the appearance of the children when on visits. The uniform and good behaviour all help create a good impression, which is beneficial to the school. The uniform and other aspects of the school dress code, such as P.E. and games kit, are fully described in the school brochure. We are also planning to produce a number of other short pamphlets which explain this and various other school policies.
The wearing of jewellery is discouraged and limited to one stud in each ear for reasons mainly of safety. Whilst we take as much care as is reasonable to safeguard children while they are in our care, schools are places where large numbers are grouped together and children do run around in close proximity. In these circumstances, it is possible for jewellery to cause serious injury, both to the wearer and others.
Third, behaviour: it is expected that all children should behave well. Everybody at the school has a right to expect respect and politeness from everybody else. Children and teachers expect lessons to proceed without interruption. Children have a right to learn and teachers have a right to teach without disruption. There is no place for the child who wishes to disturb lessons. The discipline system makes this clear and all children are aware of the outcomes of bad behaviour.
The school’s behaviour and discipline policies show how we will deal with disruptive children, rude children and bullying, as well as racial discrimination, gender and citizenship. The P.S.E. scheme aims to give children the means of coping with the difficulties they may experience, whilst maintaining a positive outlook on others.
We are often told by parents that they worry because they do not know how much they should tell us about their children. What do we need to know? There is no definitive answer to this question except to say that if a parent is worried whether they should tell us about something, which may be affecting their child, then for their own peace of mind, they should tell us. Do not worry that you will be wasting our time. It is usual to contact the child’s form teacher but if you are not happy about this, for any reason, contact the person with whom you feel most comfortable.
Related to this, please make sure that you give us any information necessary to keep the emergency contact form up-to-date. Let us know of any change of address, telephone number or any circumstance, (such as allergies or illness) which affect your child.
We promise to keep you informed of anything we find out or which happens which affects your children, good or bad. We will also do our best to find and have put in place any extra support from other caring agencies which we think will assist children.
Looking to the future, we hope that the partnership between home and school will develop and parents will become more involved in their children’s activities at school. Any parents with ideas for assisting this should contact the school. At the same time, we will endeavour to develop our understanding of parents’ needs and meet them as far as we can.
Finally a note about the agreement. For each of your children you will receive two copies signed by the school, one to keep and one to sign and return. Your child should also sign the copy to be returned.
We hope that the agreement will signify the start of a relationship, which will be happy and beneficial for all three partners.
Yours sincerely,
J. Bowmaker
Acting Headteacher
