Effective practice |

Building effective links with parents to support equity in pupil learning

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Provider
Borthyn V.C. Primary School
Number of pupils
95
Age range
4-11
Date of Inspection
Information about the school
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
Description of nature of strategy or activity
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
How have you shared your good practice?

Information about the school

Ysgol Borthyn is Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled primary school serving the rural town of Ruthin in Denbighshire. The majority of pupils live in the immediate area of the school but a few pupils come from surrounding villages. It has 35% free school meals and 38% additional learning needs (ALN) pupils in the school. The school works very hard to make it a creative, happy place for all pupils to flourish and grow. It aims to deliver learning experiences that reflect its Christian Values and equip pupils with the skills, attitudes and knowledge they need for life in the 21st century and beyond. Ysgol Borthyn has a tradition of fostering a happy and hardworking atmosphere based on strong interpersonal relationships between pupils and teachers. It constantly strives to create a school environment, which is caring and stable. The school is known in Ruthin for its warm, friendly, family atmosphere and Christian ethos where pupils feel valued and secure. It is an inclusive school where every child’s talents 

Context and background to the effective or innovative practice

Borthyn VC Primary School is a happy, hardworking school where leaders and staff have cultivated strong relationships with the community to support pupils to become aspirational and ambitious learners. It recognises that the partnership between home and school is a vital one, and appreciates parents, carers, the church and the community in Ruthin working together with the school. It endeavours to support pupils to grow into valuable citizens of Ruthin and the world. It works hard to create a shared commitment across the school community to support the children to be curious and excited by learning, to treat others well and endeavour to do the best that they can.

Description of nature of strategy or activity

Over the years the school has fostered and developed a transparent, honest and approachable relationship with its families. This has resulted in families feeling well supported and encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the children’s learning and school life.

The school encourages parents to be an active part of their child’s learning. Parents are very well informed through online learning platforms. Communication is two way and families are kept updated regularly about school activities and their child’s development, in fact, Pupil Press sends weekly news letters to parents about each individual classroom’s work and whole school activities. Whilst developing and designing the new curriculum, parents are regularly consulted. Engaging them carefully in this process directly influences the school’s planning when creating authentic learning experiences for pupils and how it can best support their learning at home. 
Supporting families is the school’s main aim and ensuring that all pupils can access all activities that it offers is paramount. On the online learning platform, all of the pupils’ targets are shared with parents, who are encouraged to practise these vital learning steps at home. The school also invites families to school for workshops to model effective approaches to improving their children’s learning, and supports these sessions with information leaflets containing hints and tips. These are always very well received and help to develop the culture of togetherness and a shared commitment to engaging pupils in their learning.

The ALNCo works effectively with staff to ensure that appropriate and effective support is offered to every child. The school works alongside parents to create one page profiles for every child, which are discussed and adapted termly. The school ensures that it signposts parents towards other agencies that can offer support, and hasan excellent relationship with its Family link worker. The school has tapped into different charities and agencies to ensure that its families can afford school trips and Christmas presents to help mitigate against the cost of living crisis and improve the experiences of its children at home and at school. 
 

What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?

At the school, no child is left behind or discriminated against because of their ability or home background. A shared sense of purpose across the school community ensures that pupils make strong progress in their learning and that they develop the skills and motivation needed to tackle challenge and become ambitious learners. As a result, ‘most pupils at Borthyn VC Primary School are thriving’ and ‘a caring ethos permeates school life, creating an inclusive environment where all pupils and adults are valued and supported to become ambitious learners.’ (Estyn 2022)

How have you shared your good practice?

The school has shared some of its good practice with cluster schools, schools within the consortium and on the Estyn website.

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