Year 8 Parent Support Evening Speakers: Chris Panting – Deputy Head teacher (Curriculum) Jay Simmonds- Head of Lower School.

Year 8 Parent Support Evening

Speakers:

Chris Panting – Deputy Head teacher (Curriculum)

Jay Simmonds- Head of Lower School

How can parents support learning outside of the classroom?

The dilemma

How do we encourage, challenge and support yet avoid alienating, threatening, stressing or doing for?

How do you help to motivate students?

Major concern- Should you interfere and tell pupils to work

yet run the risk of confrontation? How do you encourage pupils?

One of the major questions we get asked by parents

How did we support our children when they were in Year 1?

What did we do?

Sit and read Ask “What new things did you do today?” Children bombard us with questions Excitement Enthusiastic Why is this? Does this happen when our students reach

secondary school?

What can we all do

Listen Remember all want to do well Recognise the positives and praise Always have positive expectations Allow students to make mistakes in their

learning

How can parents support learning outside of the classroom?

How do we monitor progress?

Progress Review Report ‘My Bubbles’ Tracking Sheets Follow up intervention/ letters

The Progress Review

Attainment- 1-6 1= top 20% 2= 20-40% 3= 40-60% 4= 60-80% 5 and 6= 80-100%

Study Skills and Attitudes

Attitude and effort Grade A-D

Dates

Progress Review- late February Report- early July Both reports are key- are there any changes

from Year 7

My Bubbles

My Bubbles

Allows school to track performance from report to report

Will ultimately be available through on-line reporting

Very good starting point for a conversation about progress

Small changes can be very revealing

Student Tracking

Student tracking sheet spreadsheetBrings together: 1. attainment 2. study skills3. detentions 4. attendance punctuality

Aim: reward success and challenge underachievement

What can you do to support the report stage?

Have a good conversation about the report Try to focus on what went well? Why was

that a success? Link the report to previous reports so you get

a sense of progression Ask school if you do have any questions

Organisation and Environment

PreparationSafe and comfortable environment

– Basic preparation:

– Tidy room

– Tidy desk

– Filed notes

– No TV

– Computer and related issues- multi tasking

– Sound?

– Organisation helps relieve stress

– Check Planner

– Homework Timetable

– Timetable for the school week

Preparation

– Equipment:

New stationery

All files, books, paper, pens

Buy a calculator

Pack bags on night before

The importance of literacy and reading

Reading is at the heart of learning

Help pupils learn about the world we live in – understand about processes, history, places, themselves

Good writing starts with good reading Pupils learn how language work – apply this to their own writing Pupils learn what they like and don’t like – become critics Pupils learn – crucial to learning and becoming an independent learner

Why is reading important?

Reading in school

Independent reading Shared reading Individual reading Reading in other subjects Reading in the community

Reading is at the heart of learning

Read lots yourself – important to value reading yourself Look for reading opportunities in everyday life Read to your child Be willing to share different books and texts Books for car journeys Subtitled films Be positive about reading

What can parents/carers do at home?

What should we be reading?

Books, newspapers, TV listings, internet, instructions, packets, magazines, leaflets

Don’t expect reading to happen overnight. It can take a long time for children to learn to read.

Homework support

Skills based Worksheets Skill area and criteria for success are featured on every sheet Extension task provided

Homework

How can you help?

Make sure they are completing it Encourage your child to assess their own work in front of you using the criteria for success Help with homework when necessary

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“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.” 

Roald Dahl, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

Make your home a reading home

Maths and numeracy

My Maths Username- Ashcombe Password- polygon Key Stage 3 and Fronter

Fronter- Maths Key Stage 3 page

Fronter

Schools virtual learning environment Pupils have passwords Contact the school if you don’t have details Online reporting Also resources on internet

I-tunes

I-tunes

Pod casts Apps Video

On-line documentaries

Books- Alistair Smith- Help your child to succeed?

Visits

Museums Library Conversations with other adults

Summary

All students want to do well Parents can provide a vital support in

organisation Students benefit from parents who are

actively engaged Please contact the school at any stage if you

do have any worries

Helpful websites:

www.familylinesurrey.org.uk www.surreycc.gov.uk/parenting www.connexionssurrey.co.uk www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Questions related to the curriculum/ subject lessons- [email protected]

Pastoral concerns- [email protected]