You said.....we did.....and together we improved

We are proud of the quality of education we provide at CVHS - but we know that there are always things that we can improve. 

You said: improving communication was a priority. We are proud to say that 96% parents now tell us that communication is good.

Effective ways of communication are:

• Investing in SIMS In Touch: which enables us efficient email contact for parents of students as the whole school, year groups or teaching groups. We will continue to develop e-communication and the use of technology for learning going forward.
• Setting a staff expectation to respond to parental contact within 24 hours ideally and, where this isn't possible, within 48 hours.
• CVHS Parent Feedback Survey: which is open all year round and monitored regularly
• Student Voice Programme: taking place at a set time  in the year for each year group
• Parent Voice Programme: asked parents / carers to share views on parents' evenings, consultation events through online questionnaires available on IPADs throughout the meetings
• Regular Letters from the Principal: with text alerts and email messages
• Reports home to parents: three times a year, to let you know how well your child is learning
• Stickers in planners: to update you on key information for your child and to ensure they have their own copy of their academic reports to refer back to
• Texts and phone calls home: to confirm any key meetings / detentions for your child
• Our promise to respond to contact from you within 48 hours - 24 hours ideally
• Email addresses for all staff: simplified naming system so you can always contact teachers
• cvhs@thecvhs.co.uk: a direct email address to allow any message to reach school and be passed on to staff
• attendance@thecvhs.co.uk: a direct email address for you to report absence or medical issues directly to the Attendance and Medical Officer
• Diary dates: all key events and meetings are uploaded on the website and available on the phone app
• Events App for mobile phones - parents can see what is happen on their own phones, anytime
• Twitter feed on the website: to update you on the many events experienced by, and achievements of, students
• Class Charts app: on the go mobile phone access to live information about your child's behaviour, including their reward points and any sanctions.

You said: Could we do anything more to ensure students felt even more safe in school.  Whilst the vast majority of students do feel safe and settled, we are aware some worry more than others and face challenges at home and school that affect their confidence and self esteem.

What we do:

• We reinforce access to the Wellbeing Centre for drop ins during lunch times
• We reinforce the referral system to the Wellbeing Centre so all staff and students are clear about how to request counselling or personal support
• We ensure all students and new staff visit the Wellbeing Centre when starting at school so they are familiar with the building and confident to pop in or request support
• We invite national speakers to talk to students about their experiences of mental health and how they were supported / helped 
• We set a clear expectation that students do not use mobile phones during the school day ensuring they are free from the influence of social media whilst learning in school
• We added a motorised front gate with entry only to permitted individuals.  The gate is closed throughout the school day. Visitors on foot or in cars have to buzz to reception to gain entry to the school grounds.
• We include questions about feeling safe on all our surveys for students and parents
• We discuss feeling and being safe with students in assemblies, form time and during Social Studies lessons
• We liaise closely with local services from the community and Council to ensure a joined up approach to early alerts to any local issues and a coordinated response.

Listening to students, parents and staff:

Through the planned programme of student voice, parent voice and staff voice, we will hear your views and commit to responding to them. The academic year feedback program can be found here.

In addition, the CVHS Parent Feedback Survey is open all year round and we welcome responses from all parents / carers.

Please use this link to complete the CVHS Parent Feedback Survey.

School Council

During Autumn Term, School Council ask all students for the 'hot issues' to be discussed.  Members of School Council, representing Years 7 to 11,  presented assemblies to all year groups in autumn term. In spring term they will visit all tutor groups to update them on activities undertaken. School Council has been discussing and influencing the following this year:

- community hampers

- student voice survey

- views on our behaviour system and our new routines

- how best to reward great attitudes to learning, achievements and attendance

- maximising home learning opportunities