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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE BY DEPUTY R.G. LE HÉRISSIER OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2009
Question
Given the Minister's response to a written question on 8th September 2009, regarding League Tables', would he outline how parents can obtain objective information on the performance of States Schools?
Answer
Parents are given a range of information about the progress of their children, the curriculum and the performance of the school.
Each school is required to provide parents with regular reports on the progress of their children. This is done formally through written reports and informally through teacher/parent conferences.
In addition, all schools provide opportunities, throughout the academic year, for parents to visit the school to celebrate the achievements of the pupils, to hear about particular curriculum developments and to discuss and question the work of the school. Parents are also provided with additional information through newsletters and online.
In schools with a Governing Body, there is a requirement for there to be at least two parent governors. The headteacher then has a duty to report regularly to the governing body on a range of items in relation to the business and performance of the school (Appendix 1). These items include examination performance and any independent inspection reports relating to the work of the school.
All written reports presented to the Governing Body are required to be filed along with the minutes of the meeting and to be available for public inspection subject to any decisions on confidentiality made by the Governing Body.
In turn, the Governing Body is required to make available to parents, an annual report on the business and progress of the school. This report must include:
- - the dates of meetings held by the Governing Body and brief descriptions of any outcomes or decisions;
- - names of the members of the Governing Body, together with their designation and terms of office;
- - information about the next election of parent governors;
- - a summary of the school's budget and how money was spent over the year;
- - names and responsibilities of members of staff;
- - information about examination results;
- - information on school attendance;
- - details of the curriculum;
- - details of standards of behaviour;
- - details of how to make representations to the Governing Body. The appended list details the recommended items for inclusion in the annual report.
Parents of children in primary schools which may not have a Governing Body, may request copies of any independent evaluation reports on any aspect of the work of the school subject to any confidentiality issues relating to data protection.