Partnerships with Families
Partnership with Families is vital and strongly encouraged. Every opportunity is given to families to be involved in activities. Families are kept informed of the everyday happenings by means of the Learning Journals app. Regular newsletters and updates from the Head Teacher are also sent out to families via Learning Journals. We ask that you use the app to keep us up to date on anything which might affect your child, including any medical information, appointments or news that your child might want to share with their class.
In Willowbank School we aim to provide a good quality service. We are committed to maintaining good lines of communication with everyone who uses the school whether parent, pupil, member of staff or visiting specialist. The school Open Door Policy is appreciated by all of the parents. We are happy to discuss any sensitive aspects of your child’s learning, including sexual awareness and sexuality, challenging behaviours, dietary requirements, sensory challenges and other issues or concerns.
Families are extremely welcome to phone or visit to speak to the management team or teachers at any time. Parents are encouraged to highlight any concerns or issues, in the first instance, to the class teacher or to the Head Teacher or Depute Head Teacher and an appointment will be made, at the earliest convenience where we will look to work together to find a resolution.
We involve families in their child’s learning through Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), informal and formal education reviews, information meetings, parents’ afternoons, newsletters, reports, school events and annual review meetings.
Homework
We recognise that pupils spend more time and home than at school and therefore much of their learning happens with their families. Teaching and learning in school can be backed by homework. This will be given to pupils where families wish and will be appropriate to individual needs. Families will be given support to share in their child’s learning at home and help our learners transfer skills learned in school to home.
Assessment and Reporting
It is vital that families understand how their child is progressing in their learning. We will invite you to at least two Parents’ Afternoon appointments per year, as well as a Team With The Family (formerly Team Around the Child) meeting to discuss your child’s learning and set new targets. At the Team With the Family Meeting, we will share with you a PowerPoint presentation of your child’s successes and achievements. Additionally, a robust and detailed Annual Report will be issued in the last term of each academic year.
Pupils in the Secondary Department will receive SQA Certificates through the post to their home address which will detail their National Qualifications.
Parent Council
As a parent of a child in attendance at Willowbank, you are automatically part of the Parent Forum. The membership of the Parent Forum is made up of all parents who have a child at Willowbank.
The Parent Forum can decide to form a smaller body called the Parent Council. The Parent Council is a group of parents selected by members of the Parent Forum to represent them.
The Chair of the authority’s Parents Steering Group has a place on Council Cabinet to help influence decision making about all matters relating to education. The authority’s Parent Steering Group is composed of representatives from Parent Councils across East Ayrshire and this group will represent the views of parents in the establishment sector.
Willowbank School’s Parent Council Chairperson is Mrs Jayne Sangster. The Vice-Chairperson is Mrs Katie McCulloch. Both can be contacted via the school office.
Friends of Willowbank
Friends of Willowbank is a charity and is a group of parents, staff and community members who share an interest in the school and wish to be involved in organising and assisting in events and fundraising. They support the school to help raise funds and plan social events for the benefit of the children and young people.
Friends of Willowbank presenting iPads to staff and pupils
