Your Guide to Secondary Education in Leicestershire
Section 7: As a parent
As a parent how can I help?
- Support your child’s school by signing the home/school agreement.
- Read the prospectus, annual governors reports and regular newsletters to keep fully informed about wha is happening in school.
- Attend parents’ evenings and curriculum workshops wherever possible in order to support your child’s learning.
- Support school activities such as class assemblies, sports day and concerts.
- Support your child’s learning at home and, as they get older, provide a quiet space for homework.
- If you have time, offer help with a variety of activities, such as cookery, educational visits and swimming.
- If available, support the Parents’ Association.
- Consider standing as a Parent Governor and becoming involved in the management of the school.
- Vote in the election of Parent Governors.
- Make every effort to get to know the head and staff so that you feel comfortable in airing your views or concerns.
- Try to work harmoniously with the school as your child will benefit from close collaboration between home and school.
- Leicestershire County Council is fully committed to promoting walking, cycling and, for longer distances, greater use of buses or car sharing for the school journey. When you are thinking about the schools you would like your child to attend, please consider the following:
- Children who walk to school are fitter, have better developed social skills, are more familiar with their surroundings, have better road sense and arrive at school more relaxed and ready to learn.
- Consider the cost of driving your child to school. Current figures put the average cost at £772 per year.
- Walking, cycling or using public transport offers children greater independence and flexibility - which is especially important at a time of change in the nature of the school day, with greater numbers of pupils / students staying for extra study, extra curricular activities and sport.
- Where walking, cycling or public transport are not feasible, car sharing may be an option. This can save time and money and helps to cut traffic congestion and air pollution as well as being sociable for children. Car sharing can also reduce the costs for children whose families do not own a car. Leicestershire County Council is a partner in Leicestershare.com: http://www.leicestershare.com
- If you are interested in encouraging responsible and healthy school journeys contact the Road Safety & Travel Awareness team, at Leicestershire County Council on 0116 305 0001 or email: travelawareness@leics.gov.uk
- IMPORTANT: Choosing a school to which you can walk, cycle or access by bus will not provide any additional priority for a school place. The admissions criteria will always apply.
Since the introduction of the Children Act 1989, separated or divorced parents who do not have their children living with them normally, have the same rights and responsibilities as other parents.
Here and throughout this document “parents” should be taken to include all these with parental responsibility, including corporate parents and carers.
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