Working Together

We see the School as a family; a place where regular discussion and dialogue between parents, children and staff is essential. In addition, many parents choose to become involved with the school in some way such as reading, helping on trips and working with the PTA.

Communicating with Parents

Combe Down School has an 'open door' policy whereby we hope that parents feel they can come and talk to staff if they have any concerns: unless urgent or a quick message, it is better to catch teachers at the end rather than the beginning of the school day to either talk with them or make an appointment.

Parents have the opportunity to attend Parents Evenings that are arranged in
the Autumn and Spring Terms. We run information evenings from time to time,
usually on curriculum or learning issues.

A comprehensive Newsletter goes home to parents every Friday via the
children's book bags, and news is also available here on the site. There are additional letters from class/year group teachers regarding plans for the term, specific events or visits.

Any concerns or issues regarding your child should always go through the class
teacher in the first instance; most things are resolved this way. It may be
necessary to involve the Phase Leader who may then wish to consult with the
Deputy Head or Headteacher as appropriate.

Getting involved as a Parent

As well as helping with the children’s reading at home, many parents are able to help in the classrooms and the school library and are considered a great asset.

Topic Webs are circulated at the beginning of each half term, showing planned schemes of work, so that parents will know of the various areas of the national curriculum to be covered. Many parents are able to respond by backing up at home the work of the class, sending in objects of interest or sharing any expertise they may have.

There are two, soon to be three, notice boards around the school site; one on theupper playground and one on the lower playground. These notice boards are used for the communication of many aspects of school life and should be looked atregularly. Spare copies of dates, together with copies of school newsletters,menus, etc., can always be found on the shelves in the school office in the Log Cabin.

The school is supported by a very successful ‘Parent Teacher Association’, which helps in various ways. These include helping in the day to day life of the school and organising social and fund-raising activities. All parents are very welcome to attend any of the meetings and to become involved in the activities.

There are six elected Parent Governors who are identified in the list of Governors in the 'Staffroom' section.