Home School Agreement

CHILD’S NAME:

We believe  that the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School is a distinctive, inspiring and exciting place where children, parents, staff, governors and our community work together to provide a curriculum and learning environment that ensures every child achieves and makes the most of their talents given to them by God.

By choosing to send your son/daughter to our school we have become your partners in the education and well-being of your child. The purpose of this Home-School agreement is to give our Mission Statement a real context, whereby you as parents/carers, we as educators and your child as a pupil fully understand the purpose and respective responsibilities involved in being a member of our school community.

The school will ensure that:

  • We care for your child’s safety and happiness.
  • We will treat each child as an individual and with respect.
  • Your child achieves their full potential as a valued member of the school community.
  • We provide a balanced curriculum and meet the individual needs of your child.
  • We achieve high standards of work and behaviour through building good relationships and developing a sense of responsibility.
  • We will be open and welcoming at all times and offer opportunities for you to become involved in the daily life of the school.
  • We will celebrate your child’s gifts and talents inside and outside of school.
  • We will keep you informed of your child’s progress and what you can do to support their learning at home.

The Parent/Carers: I/We shall ensure that:

  • I/we will make sure my child attends school punctually each day.
  • I/we will inform the school on the first day of any absence before 9.00 am.
  • I/we will ensure that regular, planned, expected medical appointments are made out of school time.
  • I/we will ensure that family holidays are booked during school holidays. EXCEPTIONAL circumstances should be discussed with the Head following the completion of the holiday request form and before the holiday is booked.
  • I/we will attend parents’ consultation meetings and discussions on my child’s progress.
  • I/we will attend pastoral and curriculum meetings to support my child at home. e.g. Reading meetings, transition meetings, maths workshops etc.
  • I/we will support my child with their homework, handing homework in on time.
  • I/we will make sure that my child is properly presented for school by ensuring: my child is wearing the correct uniform (labelled)  my child has an appropriate hairstyle (NO shaved tramlines/colouring) my child is not wearing jewellery to school (stud earrings are acceptable but should not be worn in school during the day they have PE lessons/swimming)
  • I/we will support the school’s relationships policy ensuring that pupils, staff and property are properly respected.
  • I/we will keep the school informed of anything relevant that will affect my child in school.
  • I/we will discuss any concerns or issues with school staff about my child with courtesy.
  • I/we will not approach other people’s children to discuss school incidents involving my child.
  • I/we will model a positive attitude towards education and the school and use discretion when discussing issues or grievances in front of children and other parents, as these may have a negative effect on their outlook.

The pupil: I will:

  • Be polite, respectful and helpful to others
  • Keep the school rules
  • Attend school regularly and on time
  • Wear my school uniform with pride and be tidy in appearance
  • Always do my best
  • Come prepared for lessons. E.g. By having the correct PE kit, homework etc.

Online Safety

Internet safety and being aware of the dangers present when using the internet is of paramount importance for our children. We all need to work together to ensure that our children are able to use the internet safely.

The SCHOOL will: 

  • Promote e-safety through the curriculum, assemblies and e-safety week.
  • Provide safe search engines for children to use in school and from home.
  • Inform parents of any concerns we have regarding e-safety.

The FAMILY will:

  • Be aware of their social responsibilities with regard to using the internet and related technologies, including treating others with respect.
  • Promote e-safety at home.
  • Be mindful of social networking and be aware that many sites such as ‘Face book’ are not intended for children under the age of 13.

The CHILD will:

  • Listen to and follow advice provided for their own safety when using the internet.
  • Report any worries regarding e-safety to their parents and to the school.

 

Appendix

Social media

Social media websites are being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools, Head teachers, school staff, and in some cases other parents/pupils. 

 

We considers the use of social media websites being used in this way as unacceptable and not in the best interests of the children or the whole school community. Any concerns you may have must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the Class Teacher, the Headteacher or the Chair of Governors, so they can be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned. The school will always listen and act upon any concerns  you may have .

 

In the event that any pupil or parent/carer of a child/ren being educated at Immaculate Heart of Mary is found to be posting libellous or defamatory comments on Facebook or other social network sites, they will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site.  All social network sites have clear rules about the content which can be posted on the site and they provide robust mechanisms to report contact or activity which breaches this. The school will also expect that any parent/carer or pupil removes such comments immediately.

 

In serious cases the school will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse of social networking and other sites. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, is the issue of cyber bullying and the use by any member of the school community to publicly humiliate another by inappropriate social network entry. We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of school bullying.

Photographs

There have been rapid changes in the technology of image reproduction. Taking and publishing pictures are now easy and it can be difficult for schools to monitor and control images of children.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School has a duty to provide a safe environment for pupils at school. While we are aware of the risks of image misuse, we believe that the school needs to balance this against the positive value of professional, high quality images of pupils in celebrating and promoting the school as an enjoyable, colourful and vibrant place to learn. Good pictures of the school and its children can help in putting the school at the heart of the local community and enhance its reputation.

The SCHOOL will:

  • Take photographs and videos of children for assessment and display purposes in school.
  • Use photographs and video footage on the school website and in publications.
  • Limit parent’s photography and video filming to designated areas.
  • Ensure that children who should not be photographed, for example, those children whose parents have refused consent, are not included in any images.

 

The Parent/Carers will:

Either give/not give permission for their child’s photograph/video to be taken.

  • Not take images of their child and friends participating in school activities for any other reason than family and personal use.
  • Not place images of their child and friends participating in school activities on any public or social media sites.

The CHILD will:

Smile for the camera!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continuing support.

Could you please sign both copies and RETURN ONE COPY TO SCHOOL ASAP.

Thank you.

I/we have read and will support the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School Home School Agreement

Parents Name

Signed........................................................................................................Date………………………………

Child’s Name                                                                                                            Class

Signed

PARENTS TO RETAIN THIS SECTION

"_______________________________________________________________________________

I/we have read and will support the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School Home School Agreement

Parents Name

Signed........................................................................................................Date………………………………

Child’s Name                                                                                                            Class

Signed

PARENTS TO RETURN THIS SECTION TO SCHOOL