Parent and Carer Survey:  Spring 2025

I am happy with all aspects of school. My child is happy, enthusiastic about what he has learned in school and loves to share his experiences. (Parent/Carer Survey February 2025)

The questions on our Parent/Carer Survey were based on the Ofsted Parent View survey. We had 140 responses. 

1. My child is happy at school.

Over 91% of our parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed, which is an increase on the previous year’s survey. We are continuing to find ways to celebrate pupil successes and furthering pupil voice through rewards, celebration assemblies, house competitions and feedback through our school council meetings. We have expanded our provision and now have two dedicated staff to support our pupils’ wellbeing. We are mindful that external agencies young people are often signposted towards continue to have significant waiting lists and this reflects a similar picture nationally. 

2. My child feels safe at school.

95% of our parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed. We have continued to expand our wellbeing and safeguarding support and also always welcome any feedback from pupils, parents, carers and staff.

3. The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

92% of our parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed, with 4% ‘don’t know’ responses.

4. My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The majority of parents and carers responded that they hadn’t had experience of any bullying issues.  On the few occasions where parents/carers felt bullying had occurred, most parents/carers strongly agreed or agreed that incidents were dealt with quickly and effectively. 16 responses recorded ‘don’t know’ – it was assumed that in these cases the children of the parents/carers hadn’t been bullied.

5. The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

The majority of parents (75%) strongly agreed or agreed, however this was the area identified as where parents/carers recorded a ‘don’t know’ response (6%).  A reminder that the curriculum pages of our website provide an overview of what each subject area covers across the three years pupils are with us.  As part of our Year Six Meet the Tutor Evening evening, there are optional workshops for parents/carers to have an overview of how English, maths and our wider curriculum are implemented at BHA as well as a SATs Information Evening.  Moving forwards, we are planning to introduce fortnightly newsletters to provide more regular overviews of what is going on at BHA to replace our current termly newsletters. We will continue to share information about pupil learning through our X and Facebook accounts.  

6. When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

The vast majority of those who completed the survey hadn’t raised a concern or had raised a concern and felt it had been dealt with properly.

7. My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

24 parents and carers of pupils with SEND responded to the survey. We’re incredibly pleased that 96% of these agreed with the statement, with the other responder recording a ‘don’t know’ response. We will continue to offer termly parent/carer SEN Review Meetings and offer a range of opportunities to support attendance and adapt our practice.

8. The school has high expectations for my child.

90% of parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed. 7% responded with ‘don’t know’.  

9. My child does well at this school.

86% or parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed, with 9% responding ‘don’t know’.

10. The school lets me know how my child is doing.

78% of parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed, with a further 3% recording ‘don’t know’.  We would like to remind parents and carers of the assessment area of the website, which explains the rationale behind our processes, and to reinforce the importance of regular engagement with MCAS. We continue to use school newsletters and social media to share successes.  Progress reports will continue to be termly, with two parents’ evenings for year 6 and one for year 7 and for year 8. Based on parental preference, these will remain virtual.  As well as being available on MCAS, we print termly summary reports for pupils to take home.  As we run as a secondary school, with the average pupil having 14 different teachers, we acknowledge that there are considerable differences in the way that we operate assessment and reporting in comparison to first school experiences.

11. There is a range of subjects available to my child at this school.

92% of parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed. As referenced on our website, we continue to offer a rich and ambitious curriculum, following a secondary model of education. This means that year 6 pupils spend more curriculum time studying foundation subjects, such as geography, history and French than they would in a typical primary school.  We offer the full range of national curriculum subjects as specified by the DFE, with Drama embedded into our English curriculum. Unlike most other schools, we also offer Enrichment in years 7 and 8, allowing pupils to have ‘tasters’ of a wide range of opportunities to enhance their personal development and curriculum experiences, including a second language (German), first aid, wellbeing, dance and financial literacy.  

12. My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The majority of parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed – 92%. We continue to offer the vast majority of our clubs through lunchtimes. As over 85% of our pupils travel to and from school on buses, we believe this model works in order to maximise the opportunity for all pupils to attend.  There are usually around 40 different activities for pupils to choose from over the course of a typical week and these are displayed in tutor rooms and on our school website.  We also offer a wide range of house competitions, trips, fund raising activities and sports fixtures/events.   

13. The school supports my child’s wider personal development.

81% of parents and carers strongly agreed or agreed. We are mindful that 7% of parents and carers responses were ‘don’t know’ and we will continue to share examples of how we support personal development and promote our school values of Belief, Honesty and Aspiration through our website, newsletters and social media.  We offer pupils a range of leadership opportunities, including chances to be eco-reps, sports captains and prefects.  Careers education is embedded across the school.

14. I would recommend this school to another parent.

94% of our parents and carers agreed with this statement.

We provided an opportunity for feedback at the end of the survey. Some of the common comments raised included the following:

I would like to know what my child has chosen for their school meals.

This is available by downloading the TillApp.  For more information, please use this link and complete our contact us form, selecting till app query and we can help you get started.

Communication could be clearer.

We are seeking to streamline and increase frequency of communication with a fortnightly newsletter to summarise key events and signpost reminders to events on our school calendar.  Please note that certain communication, such as that linked to school attendance, is sent under DFE regulations.  Our processes for assessment and reporting are shown on our website and shared during the Year Six Meet the Tutor Evening, together with a rationale that accompanies every report home. We will continue to work with parents and carers to clarify these processes further.

We are unable to reply to all individual pieces of feedback as the survey was anonymous. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our BHA parents and carers for completing the survey and for your ongoing support. If you have any issues you would like to raise, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

To finish, we would like to share some of the many examples of fantastic feedback we had from yourselves.  Thank you for your positivity, it is very much appreciated:

• Having transferred my child from another school I am pleased to say she is now thriving where before she was under achieving. She is settled and enjoys coming to school.
• We are very happy with how (pupil name) has settled in and he is definitely a happier child.
• (Child’s name) has loved her time at BHA thank you all.
• Keep up the great work! My daughter is thriving at BHA.
• Please pass on my thanks to all the teaching staff with whom I spoke during the most recent parent consultations. I received great feedback and am happy that by working together, we can support my son’s education effectively.
• I definitely would recommend this school to another parent! My daughter is so happy in BHA
• Enrichment is a really lovely addition in Year 7.
• Very supportive school.

Parentview

 

Parentview was introduced by the Government for parents to give their views about their child’s school.  It is a short survey that covers a range of issues important to parents.  Once there are sufficient results, the overall findings are visible although individual responses are not.

Many parents who are happy with their child’s school use Parent View to share their satisfaction or to show their support for the school.  We are drawing Parent View to your attention, because this is the way your voice will be heard by Ofsted.  

If you would like to raise an issue about BHA, please don't hesitate to contact the school. 

Thank you for your support.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT OFSTED PARENTVIEW