Communication is Key

We think it is very important that there is good communication between the school and parents as we are in a real partnership to help your child achieve their full potential – and it is by working together that we will get the best results.

We have a number of publications to keep you up to date with what has been happening (ERS News) and what is planned (Term Diary and Weekly Times), and we also keep contact by a number of more instant means such as email, text messaging, and telephone. This website, with its special, password-protected pages for parents, can be used for ‘emergency notices’ such as when the school had to be closed by snow one winter.

Progress Reports

We produce two progress reports per year for each pupil throughout their time in the school.  This begins when students undergo an assessment process on application to the school.

Building on that, regular assessment is undertaken to monitor progress. This includes the use of cognitive ability tests (CATs) at the beginning of Year 7 and Year 9 and an annual reading test. In each class and subject, teachers assess students on an ongoing basis against National Curriculum Statements of Attainment.

All students receive a cross-curricular individual learning plan which is reviewed regularly. A review involves all key staff, and the students themselves. Within this process, individual targets which are both challenging and attainable are set and reviewed regularly for each student.

Parents’ Evenings

Parents have two consultative parents’ evenings with their child’s teacher(s) and form tutor, where general progress is discussed. In addition we hold three ‘specialist teacher’ parents’ evenings a year, when parents meet the specialist teachers who help their child’s literacy and numeracy, as well as the speech and language or occupational therapists.

Good communication between home and school is essential to any child’s progress, and we endeavour to maintain an open-door policy at all times, keeping parents fully informed as to who to contact for specific requirements.